Working and parenthood

[Wadingthroughshit]

Hi,
Would really appreciate some perspective. I currently work 18hpw in the field I did my Master's in, in an entry level role for a higher education institute. I am a single parent to two boys, 8&4.
I am itching to move up to the next level, and becoming increasingly frustrated as I am the only PT worker in my team, I do not get the same responsibilities and exposure, I sit in traffic for over forty minutes there and back.
My youngest starts school this summer, so I could work only in school time and no need for ASC. However, there is a waiting list for the ASC now, and if I take my children out they will lose their place, and there is no other childcare in our village.

I want more hours, more responsibility, more work stress, but if I stay as I am, I can be there for children. We don't have a lot of money, and its not enough to start properly saving for a home (private rent now). I want to provide them with security, and I also want to be fulfilled at work.

I don't really understand the problem re. ASC and waiting list etc.

I think it's fine to work more hours and use childcare, if that was the question?

The simple answer is that if you want to progress you'll need to be more visible and work more hours. Going school hours in term time would help? But I wouldn't go term time only as you'll be missing for weeks and that'll be it!

Hey, thank you for your replies.
my eldest is currently in ASC, youngest in nursery. ASC has a waiting list, so if I put in a flexible working request and only work during school hours (not just term time, so holiday clubs and annual leave used for holidays) I will lose my after school club place.
I guess I'm just wondering if I should accept that progress at work will take longer for me as I only work PT and I'm single mum to two small children. I'm unfulfilled at work, but at least I'm home for the boys?

Could you afford to keep ASC on your current work days and go school hours at work?
Then use the hours to either do something that will help progress your career and let them know you are up for and available for additional hours on ASC days?

If they're in after school club, why can't you work full time? Or at least more hours than you do?

Leave them in ASC as you have a place and work full time.

Or look into getting an au pair if you have space.

The contract I'm on has just been made permanent, it was a fixed term, it is only 18 hours, and this won't increase as each post has to be individually approved, one of my team lost their post after as when my role was made permanent, funding was lost for one post. I had to go through an interview process to for my post to be made permanent.
Really good idea about keeping ASC but working in school times, then I can keep the place. I think I need to look for a new role.

Can you work from home? I would look to increase to FT with the option of working from home as your flexible working arrangement. Then you can save your commuting time a couple days a week (maybe work longer hours those days) to free you up a bit more the other days that are more time pressed. Keep your ASC place.

I’m not a single parent but we don’t have ASC or any local childminders who collect from our school (rural small village school, pretty much everyone is a SAHM). I still have managed very long days (13 hour days and a long commute) because we trade off - so my dh and I each do a few school runs/afternoons a week and I work from home on the days I need to be available for school runs. I work long days the other days.

I’m assuming your dc’s dad is not involved? Otherwise, can he cover some days/pay for extra childcare?