Full time work as a single parent

[lhmurray2]

Hi, I’m looking for some advice any would be welcome. I am a single parent and when I say single I’m mean it’s just me on my own no dad. Iv always worked part time but am hopefully going to be returning to full time work soon. So is anyone Ells in my position? how do I keep the plates all spinning? I’m worried I’m going to either fail at my new job or not be present enough for my son.

I'm a full time working single parent. Their dad has them about 5 hours a week max never overnight. They are 8 and 12 so a bit older but things I have found that make my life easier are:

Uniform boxes in the kitchen/ diner - I used to have a constant massive pile of washing to put away and was constantly digging in it for infirm - they now have a kallax box eaxh and I stick all uniform in there when washed along with a supply of underwear. Easy and quick to grab in the morning.

Freeze portions is casserole etc for mid week

I know everyone always says it on here but if you can afford it's cleaner - I have 3 hours every other week.

I still struggle with finding time for homework though.

Hi I am a single mum of 3 they are older 9,11 and 15 and my ex isn't allowed to have them at all. I work term time only so that's a bonus but as another poster has said those kallax boxes are great I do the same with uniform etc. I also find having premade dinners for the week really helps. Homeworks been hardwork this year as I've been doing an NVQ3 in my spare time too. Another thing I have found helps is making sure we have things like movie nights where no phones etc are aloud and going to the park to play tennis has helped us to spend time with each other which we may not have.

Uniform boxes what a good idea! I’m forever hunting for it lol, and I was thinking maybe I should get a cleaner my time will definitely be limited in the evenings now, if you don’t mind me asking how do you manage the things like school work and football training ( just an example) do you ever feel overwhelmed

I often feel overwhelmed but I've learnt to be less het up all the time. I've decided some things just aren't worth the bother. As for clubs only my youngest does them and it's twice a week he also goes to lots of after-school clubs ran by the school so he gets to try lots of different sports and activities. I often feel bad that I can't make assemblys, plays or last minute 3pm meetings that seem to come up alot.

Wow your doing a lot I feel a bit silly now lol
So getting organised and batch cooking is key here by the sounds of it that and making the most of the time I will have with my son. Thank you for the advice

I think you have the right attitude about being less get up I think I may just have to accept I can’t be every where at once and learn to be ok with that, ahh the 3pm meetings I always wonder who is actually available to ever go to these lol

FT working single parent since DCs were toddler and baby. Their DF only had them one afternoon per month although started to have them overnight as they were older. Never during the week though. No family within 200 miles.

I had a brilliant childminder who gave the DCs their dinner so all I had to do was pick them up, bath and bed. I also built up a network of friends who would help out in emergencies - ie have their DCs to sleep over on weekends and they would pick mine up if I was held up.

YY to a cleaner. Means that free time can be spent on fun stuff rather than housework. I probably couldn't afford it but did.

It was pretty tough going but we had such fun times.