Leaving a job

[drogo]

I'm a single mother of three children and I work 5 days a week but can't cope with the summer holidays as my usual childcare helpers aren't around now. If I resign am I eligible for benefits? My youngest is 5.

Not JSA and you may well be penalised for resigning on other benefits . Can you pay for childcare (council subsidised play schemes or cm) or negotiate reduced hours and take some leave. It may mean your net income from working for those 6 weeks is less but at least you'd have a job for September. You really need to take a longer term view and see paying for holiday childcare as part of your annual earnings.

LIZS is right about managing the cost of summer childcare over the full 12 months, you have to see it as an investment to enable you to earn your salary for the rest of the year - you might be able to get help through working tax credits?

I agree quitting might not be your best bet long term.
Could the kids father take them for a week? I guess not or you'd have mentioned it.
Would work let you take parental leave which would leave you with no income, but a job in Sept.

Good luck. The hold are a little gistical nightmare.

That last sentence is the hols are a logistical nightmare!

Is their dad still about - "which half of all the holidays do you want to provide cover for?" is a question I would be asking.

I don't think leaving work is the answer as you'll probably be worse off in the long run. Does the school have a family support worker? They might know of any local playschemes over the summer.

If your usual childcare has let you down at short notice, can you ask your employer if you could change your hours to suit any playschemes that your children can attend? Are you part-time at the moment, if so can any friends take them for the hours that you work?

Holiday clubs, childminders, annual leave, parental leave? Share with other parents in a similar position. There are some very reasonably priced clubs round here which long term will be much cheaper than resigning! I know it adds up to £££££ but we have no 'helpers'.

Could you accrue TOIL/flexitime? Annualise hours?

Admittedly I'm not a lone parent, but the summer holidays are a nightmare. Fact. But it's definitely better to pull my hair out now, rather than resign...

I can't imagine giving up your job is the best option in the long run, even if you were entitled to some benefits, which would seem unlikely if you voluntarily resign.

Lots of people are out of pocket over the summer holidays, but overall it's usually worth it.