No childcare on work day

[ssunflowers]

Any advice at all would be appreciated. Aside from my usual week days, I’ve been on a rota to work alternate Saturdays covering an office since going back to work after having my first DD. MIL has been our childcare for these Saturdays. She has now told my DP she won’t be having our daughter on these Saturdays anymore. She’s planning on moving 5 hours away this year, so I’ve known this has been coming but as I’m due on mat leave in September for DD2, I haven’t given too much thought to it.

I’ve told my bosses of my situation and that I have no childcare alternatives. They’ve simply said they don’t know what to suggest and said maybe I should look into a childminder on those Saturdays. I know alot of people that use childminders but I’m not comfortable with it seeing as she will only be there one day every other weekend. DD won’t be familiar with a childminder and isn’t the type of toddler than can be left with anyone as she gets very upset. Saturday is the only day of the week DP is required to work in the shop he works out of and he earns £350-£500 on a Saturday so there’s no way we’re losing that income.

Basically, what I’m asking is do I have any leg to stand on? What do i do!!

Yup, I genuinely do. If the alternative is unemployment and benefits.
There's every possibility it will be a legitimate sickness once the stress of trying to sort this in the late stages of pregnancy starts.

"we all have to sort childcare" The eejits commenting this should know that it's not as simple as looking up the Yellow Pages and voila! there's so many qualified, reputable, available childminders to call. One that you're happy to drop your toddler off with, with zero settling in time or opportunity to source references.

I'm sure there's loads of these magical childminders sitting waiting for the OP to call so they can fill that "every-second-Saturday, but only for a few months" slot they've got kicking around 🙄

So childminder is an option but you don’t like it? Get a grip woman!

Help your DD get used to a child minder.
Organise for them to meet a couple of times.

Does MIL have any close friends who might like the job for five months? DD might already know them.
Do you have any close neighbours with a child of similar age?
Research nanny and babysitter services.

You think that going off sick (when you are not even sick) for three months won't leave her screwed? Because believe me when I say it will. In the real world that you seem to be discussing most people don't get sick pay, are forced to begin maternity leave early, and their employers (who are not remotely as stupid as you think they are) will get rid of them (quite legally) the very first chance they get.

It’s stealing @PersephonesPomegranate

outright stealing from a business

And people wonder why employers /managers (who, of course, never ever read these sorts of things on the internet) don't want to hire women of child-bearing age. Who needs men to discriminate against us when we can shoot ourselves in the foot very adequately.

That is easier said that done. I know a lot of childminders and none work on Saturdays. You might be able to find a sixth former wanting to earn some money but I would be loathe to let a teenager care for my very young children for a day.
OP can you ask if they can rearrange your shifts? Put in a formal request for flexible working. It might also be worth looking for another job, one with hours and times to suit your lifestyle better.

Find a teenager who wants to earn some money. I used to watch the children of a hairdresser when I was 16-18 on Saturdays.

What option ? She said she could try and find a childminder. That won't we easy.

I’m sure there’s a 17/18 year old who would love extra money heading to university in September.

Start your mat leave ASAP and have a reliable plan for when you return

Unfortunately it is your responsibility to find alternative childcare. Your employers are not unreasonable to expect you to sort out childcare for your contracted hours.

Accurately put, PhilippaGeorgiou - and then when the disciplinaries start they whine that they're being discriminated against and begin eyeing up a hoped-for payout

I was a professional recruiter for years, and even when I retired a few years ago the avoidance of women in this age bracket was becoming increasingly common, and no wonder

Parental leave and holidays - timing is subject to an employers agreement.

I did the same for friends of the family who wanted to play tennis on a Saturday - was good money whilst studying for my A levels!

You ask if you can not work Saturdays.
If that doesn't work, you find childcare or a new job. There's not really any other options. Send her more frequently if you're worried about her settling.

Can’t see another colleague agreeing to swop to work at Saturday.

Friend

DH take every other Saturday off / swap with someone so he only works the Saturdays you’re not working

Grandparents other than MIL?

DD come with you or DH to work? I have no idea what your roles are.

Aunts, uncles, family friends? Doesn’t have to be the same person each time. I’d definitely help a friend in this situation, even more definitely if it’s not every time, and even more definitely if it’s only for a couple of months until you go on mat leave.

Ask friends for babysitter recommendations and then get that babysitter for another day of the week too so DD is used to them?

Combination of the above.

Unfortunately you’re not going to find a childminder who will take your DD 2 days a month probably.

You need to put in a flexible working request like everyone else and see if they grant it. If they don’t, and you are contracted to work those Saturdays then you need childcare or a new job.

Do childminders even work Saturdays?

Use a childminder (or nanny etc). Your child will get over it. You're also lucky as it's a Saturday and you'll probably be able to get a nice reliable and kind student or similar desperate for some extra income.

Either find childcare or ditch the Saturdays that's life

I would suggest you find babysitters/childminder/favours from family and friends for between now and August. Even think about starting maternity a month earlier if you can?

If you can get a childminder / babysitter now they can come round to yours for a couple of hours to play with your toddler now once or twice a week (at your expense) and then the little one won’t be too upset this new person is looking after them.

Honestly it’ll be a lifesaver when anything comes up unexpectedly. Even an afternoon to yourself.

Your in laws will be miles away and no use at sitting for you. So it’s defo worth doing your homework now as you will need help in future.

It will also get your child used to meeting new people as it’s a thing they all need to learn, and it will be less upsetting this way. You’ll be glad of them when baby number two is tiring you out and you don’t have any free help. At least you’ll have paid help.

I think this is probably the most likely solution. You already know them and your DD does too.

Other options include:

Posting on your local Facebook group
Making a listing on Childcare.co.uk
Sitters App

Always get references, DBS, take an address and see photo ID.