What to do!!!!

[SteakChips]

Myself and hubby work full time, I was luckily enough to get a role where I can work two days a week from home.
Work have told me as my projects have come to an end, I'm no longer can work from home. My 19months goes to his Nan (in law) for the three days I'm in work. She already said she likes her two days off from her grandson and gives her a break as she isn't as young anymore. Physical I don't know how we can afford childcare or nursery fees, then if I put him nursery have the battle who will pick him up. We are already struggling with cost of living and also trying to move as a family of 5 in a cramped small 2 bed flat. I'm not in title to benefits (to help) as our wages go over the threshold.

I really don't know what to do? How do you all do it? Sadly my patents don't drive and in there mid 70's and my son isn't the easiest child to look after.

Are you sure you won’t get help for the costs of childcare?

Do you look after your dc while wfh? Mist employers would not be happy with that if so, can you look at a Childminder instead, Would you qualify for government childcare funding?

Do you mean for 3 days a week you work from home whilst also looking after your toddler? That was never going to be sustainable long term and I'm amazed work were happy with the arrangement.

Look into tax free childcare but unfortunately there isn't much else you can do. He will need to be in some form of childcare if you and his dad are working.

Can you or your partner work condensed hours over 4 days?

Have you checked you definitely aren't entitled to any help?

I'm really surprised you've got away with being paid to care for your son under the guise of 'WFH' for so long. Unfortunately it's cheeky situations like this that make it harder for others to get WFH arrangements agreed.

If your household income is over the threshold for any support then you've a lot better off than many. Sit down and work out your finances and free up any money you can. Research nurseries and childminder fees and tax free childcare and work out what you will need to pay.

Childcare is a killer but it's only a few years and you just have to make it work.

Who looks after your DS now on your work from home days? Surely to can’t be you as there’s no way you can safely look after a young child and concentrate on work at the same time. I’d be very surprised if your work would be happy with that arrangement.

You'll just have to pay for it. Three days of free childcare from a family member is already very fortunate.

You can get tax free childcare if you both earn under £100k.

I'm also surprised you were working two days from home with a toddler to look after!

My mother in law has him 3 days at hers and the two days he is with me while I'll work. We pay for her service so please don't think it's for free, we also pay for food our son will be eating etc there.

I didn't know the tax free child care was under £100k, last time I looked the goal post was lower. Im definitely and my husband not earning that much.

@Overthebow My son is very much in safe hand when I work from home.

Im only asking what other parents do this this situation? I feel im being judged cos im trying my best to keep a float.

It's always been £100k ceiling for TFC so you were probably looking at the wrong thing.

If you can't afford childcare then the other choice is to drop your days at work? Otherwise I don't really know what you expect people to suggest.

Most employers wouldn't allow you to wfh whilst caring for a little one - you have been very fortunate until this point.

What was your plan you you decided to have a third child?

I’m afraid all other parents pay for childcare or are lucky enough to have willing family care, even when working from home. It may mean you make close to 0 net profit for first 2-3 years of your child’s life, but your only option is to be a SAHM or reduce your days at work.

There are NO jobs that would be happy with you caring for a child whilst claiming to wfh at the same time, just as they wouldn’t be happy if you brought your child into the office with you. I’m amazed you haven’t found that your work or your child is suffering from this arrangement already - i did this in the first lockdown and still feel mild ptsd from it.

We paid for nursery- £900 a month when I was working part time.
i was never fortunate to have family to
help

How are you a family of 5 and only just thinking about childcare issues?

As others have said, tax free childcare, reduce or condense hours.

Does your employer know you've been caring for a toddler while you're supposed to have been working? I've worked from home a lot, pre pandemic too, and no employer would allow that set up. It was only during school closures in lockdown that it was relaxed.

I worked from home and I pay for my children to go to nursery. I would never be able to work whilst caring for them. You don't really have any options other than paying for childcare or working less or whilst they are in bed at night. I think you're incredibly lucky that you have a family member who does 3 days a week! That's an awful lot already.

If you genuinely can't afford nursery then childminders are cheaper. Search online for childminders in your area. You will also be entitled to some free hours of childcare when your child is 2 if you're a low earner which it sounds like you are.

Most employers wouldn't allow you to wfh whilst caring for a little one - you have been very fortunate until this point

Agree with this, its about productivity as well as safety

No one is doubting his safety , but how can you work whilst looking after a small child ?

We pay for nursery.

Do either your or DPs work offer compressed hours? DP does 4.5 in 4, so that helps from a finance point as we don't pay for nursery that day but don't drop to 4 days wages. Does mean they're less available to help though.

DH and I both consolidate our hours, so work FT over 4 days meaning we only have 3 days childcare to cover, we have one day from grandparents and two from nursery, DH has him on Mondays and I have him Fridays

@gogohmm I have two step sons who live with us as their mother is incapable as she likes her drugs and men more. And our biological son was IVF as I failed to fall naturally, so NO I won't be having anymore children as I don't have the funds or space.

I am surprised you’ve been able to wfh with a toddler. I am not sure that I could even get half my hours done with DS at home and I would only get that much done by putting the tv on which I’d feel guilty about 2 days per week. I wouldn’t be happy with any of my team doing it. Can you put in a request to drop down to 3 days per week? Sadly childcare often takes up a full salary but I would think of it as an investment to keep you in your career (should you want it continue)

@chopc two step sons who live full time with us. They only moved in a year ago after they were removed from their mum. Both children are in high school. My boy was already born at this time.

DH and I both work, we have no one to help with childcare so we pay for nursery.

Like most, it is a struggle but it is only for a short time. We don't earn mega money and after all bills we have very little left but grateful it's not minus.

Take out a loan or credit card. You get 30 free hours in 7 months time. Just stay afloat until then. Otherwise get a job in your DP’s ‘off’ hours so there is always someone at home with the child. If you’re only needing to fund 2 days a week you’re sitting pretty to be honest.