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Work

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Original poster

Work and poorly dc

10 replies

BubblesPip · 15/12/2017 19:14

I’m a nurse and single mum of 18 month old dc. I returned to work (two nights a week) when she was about 11 months old. This was fine for a short while as my mum had my dc overnight. I then had to drop one night a fortnight as my mum could no longer manage. This continued for a couple of months, then my mum struggled again so I dropped to one night. I have no other support (dc Dad = useless)

I was just about getting by. Then my dc became poorly, frequent Hospital trips and overnight stays meant that I missed a lot of shifts and it got to the point that I had no choice but to resign.

I’m now doing agency work only. I was due to do a shift tonight but I’ve had to cancel as dc is poorly and is Hospital again.

I have no idea what to do. I’m going to lose my home if I’m not careful. I won’t be able to afford to feed my child. But I literally have no one to help. And I could never just leave my poorly child either.

I am so stressed and really struggling. Has anyone else been in this position and what on earth can I do to sort this shitty situation out?!

OP posts:

CharlieWork · 15/12/2017 20:10

Have you looking into benefits? Tax credits?

Original poster

BubblesPip · 15/12/2017 20:39

I’m not entitled to much at all in tax credits. I’m a home owner (considerable mortgage) and there’s minimal support available to me.

OP posts:

jclm · 15/12/2017 20:42

Have you any close friends who you can do childcare swaps with? Eg if they look after your daughter for 2 nights per week, you can do the equivalent for them? X

Original poster

BubblesPip · 16/12/2017 06:18

Jclm I wish I could, but how can I leave them with a screaming child all night when they either have their own children, or have to work?! It just feels like an impossible situation atm.

OP posts:

Psychobabble123 · 16/12/2017 06:22

You need to switch to day working and use a reliable CM. when the child is too poorly to go to thd CM you can book emergency nannies to care for her at home. Working nights just isn't working for you anymore.

alltheworld · 16/12/2017 06:32

If suitable, and you have a spare room, get a lodger who pays reduced rent in return for x amount of babysitting. Obviously has to be vetted carefully but hopefully you can find a serious minded trainee teacher or student. Otherwise as pp said some cm but not many will take poorly children or find a regular babysitter. But for this you need dayside hours

Babyroobs · 16/12/2017 14:33

You could go onto income support ( or Universal credit depending on your area) and claim help with the interest on your mortgage although it is becoming a loan from April 2018 and there is a 39 week waiting period.
Or speak to your mortgage company, ask to go interest only for a while or take a mortgage break.
Or work days instead and claim help with childcare costs.
Do you claim child maintainance form dd's dad ?

Babyroobs · 16/12/2017 14:35

Is your dd's condition something long term or likely to get better ? Is is something you could claim DLA for her for and then claim carers allowance?

Coughingchildren5 · 19/12/2017 05:38

You have to come off nights. X

Iprefercoffeetotea · 19/12/2017 08:14

As well as the suggestions above to move to daytime working and get a childminder, and to make sure dad is paying his fair share, how big is your house? Would it be possible to move to a smaller one and have a smaller mortgage?

Different circumstances but years ago when my father was long term unemployed, my parents sold a 3 bed house and we moved to a cheaper 2 bed house.

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