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Original poster

Wwyd? Dream job, no childcare for interview :-(

33 replies

slowlylosingit89 · 30/07/2018 16:42

Hi all, I applied for a job back in Feb, currently working 16hrs doing a very boring job just to fit around partners work and kids etc. We have 3dc and I have spent the last 10 years fitting around partners job so was agreed this was the right time for me to persue a career (and he would then be dropping hours to be there for the children-no problem with this, actually was partners idea).
My problem is that now my interview/assessment day has finally come around I don't have any childcare! We have had the date for ages but partners boss decided he now needs him to work that day (wouldn't let him put a holiday in).
Feel like giving up now, I just wanted more for our family and for my working life. Feels like il never be anything because I have children. And I love my kids, wanted to be a great role model for them, earn more money in order to take them to places etc (we have never even had a family holiday)

I guess I'm just asking for opinions, what would you do in my situation? I don't see many options really. I started an OU degree a couple of years back but really just to keep my brain going, that's currently deferred as I had our youngest just after the last course finished.

OP posts:
BIWI · 30/07/2018 16:44

There must be babysitting/nanny agencies near you that you could use? Please don't give up on this chance just because your partner can't be there!

MollysMummy2010 · 30/07/2018 16:45

When is the interview? Lots of holiday clubs running over the summer if they are old enough and you can book a single day where we go and I only pay about £25 a day. Might be expensive with three but for a dream job!!!!!!

Loopytiles · 30/07/2018 16:46

Your DP needs to chuck a sickie, or organise and pay for childcare.

NerrSnerr · 30/07/2018 16:49

How old are the children? Does it fall
In the school holidays so school age children can go to a holiday club? Do you have any friends who you can call in a favour with, I know I'd have a friend's children for an interview.

Local babysitter?

maxelly · 30/07/2018 17:00

Agree with others, there must be a way, don't cancel your interview!

It is just a tad suspicious that after being so open to dropping his hours your DP now can't even take off one shift for something so important, has he actually explained to his boss what it's for? Are you sure he's not going to have the same issues once you've got the job and need him to arrange his hours around childcare?

But giving him the benefit of the doubt, there must be childcare options even though it will be probably be £££. Is your interview all day or just part of the day? How old are the kids? Can you get an emergency nanny/babysitter? Holiday club? Beg/bribe friends, family or neighbours to take them for a play date - separately if need be - pay for adult and all DCs to go to swimming/soft play/local farm? Some hobbies e.g. dance, sports might have all day 'camp' type courses running over the summer?

delphguelph · 30/07/2018 17:05

Do you believe your partner? That he has to work?

Lazypuppy · 30/07/2018 18:22

How old are children? I'm not seeing the problem, either holiday club or find a babysitter/nanny for the time of the interview

LadyPeacock · 30/07/2018 18:24

sitters.co.uk is perfect for this. They are really good.

Original poster
slowlylosingit89 · 30/07/2018 20:13

Thanks for your replies, sorry my post turned out a bit more moany than I had planned! Maxelly yes it is worrying me that it's a sign of future problems that dp might have if I actually got the job.
Children are 8,6 and 16months, I would have no problem with putting the older two in a club for the day (assessment and interview will be 5hrs). It's my youngest that I'm worrying about really, he hasn't been looked after before by anyone other than me or his dad. I wouldn't feel comfortable with booking a random sitter unfortunately and would probably be worried all day if I did!
I know dp has to work but he has had a long time to organise the day off, I'm gutted because he did tell me it was all sorted and obviously it wasn't.
My Dad wants to help but has an important hospital appointment, dp's parents won't do any childcare just give crap excuses.
My sister has also given me a crap excuse (even though I have looked after her child for much less important reasons, bit annoyed about that).

OP posts:
MakeLemonade · 30/07/2018 20:17

DP calls in last minute when your “babysitter cancels unexpectedly”? I think given his job has been the priority for so long he owes you this one. He must have had years never needing to take a day off for a sick kid, childcare falling through etc

BlingLoving · 30/07/2018 20:20

Honestly, assuming it's during the day and not the evening, I'd go with a babysitter. I understand your worry, but these nanny agencies can be excellent and honestly, the children will be fine. Worst case, the little one might be a bit miserable for one day.

Alternatively, ask around (friends, school parents, facebook pages) and see if any nannies are around that day and would be willing to come for a (paid) pre-sesssion of an hour to meet the kids and get a sense of your routine a day or two before.

delphguelph · 30/07/2018 20:21

Your DP needs to step up.

longestlurkerever · 30/07/2018 20:24

Would a friend help you out? I'd do that for a friend in your circumstances.

glenthebattleostrich · 30/07/2018 20:24

Book the older 2 into a holiday club. Ring around some childminders to see if they can offer you an ad-hoc space. (I certainly would as lots of my clients are term time only).

Penisbeakerismyfavethread · 30/07/2018 20:24

Op where abouts are you? Look on find a babysitter/ yoopies for a nanny?
Do you know any tas or student teachers?

Your 1 yo would be fine honestly

Redrosebelle · 30/07/2018 20:24

What time is the interview? Is there a potential for partner to cover a few hours then go in late, and have a nanny just do a hour or so?
A nanny or baby sitter could take care of all three children for a few hours easily. Little one will be ok with older siblings also there surely!

MaitreKarlsson · 30/07/2018 20:30

Hi
Just wanted to pop up agreeing with the earlier post about Sitters. They do daytime sitting as well as evenings and are all either nannies, teachers or parents with lots of experience - all CRB checked (or what the new version is). Not as random as you might think. Go for the interview and good luck x

NextInLine · 30/07/2018 20:33

I’d go with a babysitter who could sit in your house. The youngest will still have their siblings with them and be in familiar surroundings. He’ll be fine for a couple of hours.

Tempjob · 30/07/2018 20:39

I have lots of experience with this scenario as I had 13 interviews before I got my job...! We actually needed to train and settle in the nanny before the interview day so we booked her for maybe one or two sessions so the children were settled and happy.

MonumentVal · 30/07/2018 20:41

I've had interviews where a friend has come with and then wandered around locally for the hour or so, as even child-free friends with no clue about toddlers felt they could cope with that.

Singlenotsingle · 30/07/2018 20:46

If you got the job, the lo would have to go to a childminder or nursery anyway, so no reason not to do it for one day!

NoNarnas · 30/07/2018 20:47

DH calls in on the morning and says the childcare has let you down last minute and you’ve already left the house for the day.

Original poster
slowlylosingit89 · 30/07/2018 21:27

Thanks all, lots of good advice there I'm going to have a look at sitters.com, also yes a few said dc will need to get used to it and you are right, he will be a bit better if siblings are here to play.
Feeling a bit more optimistic now, really dp should sort this out but I don't believe he will now so just going to try my best to get to this interview. I know I would regret not going, and therefore not knowing if I was good enough

OP posts:
Invisimamma · 30/07/2018 21:32

My private nursery offers ad-hoc emergency care, phone round a few and see if that’s an option.
They would also offer a few visits beforehand.

DrCorday · 30/07/2018 21:35

Honestly, have you asked any friends at all?

If a friend pm’d me with this problem, I’d drop everything to help her, even if I didn’t see her often.

We don’t ask for help enough in today’s “busy” world. But if we did, you’d be surprised how many people are willing to help.