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Original poster

Am I way over my head with this?!

71 replies

PinkStrawberryDream · 15/07/2025 16:07

Long story short, I am currently on Mat leave and due to go back to work mid-August, however I am currently looking for a new job as my current one isn't suitable to do alongside having a baby (currently a flight attendant for reference!)
I have applied for a full-time role (40 hrs a week) on Indeed which offers hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days in office, which I am able to do with the childcare I have arranged.
i have been offered an interview next week which I've accepted, but I don't know if I should mention that I have a young child that I will be looking after alongside WFH, or what I should say if they question why I can only do the same 3days each week in-office as it says on the job description: "The role is 40 hours per week, Monday – Sunday and will be based on site. The working hours for this role are a weekly alternating shift pattern, working 08.00am - 16.30pm and 08.45am - 17.15pm."

obviously I'd rather not mention that I'm a mum as I know that can hinder my chances of getting a job, but at the same time I don't want to lie or be dishonest!

What do I do?!

OP posts:
Fragmentedbrain · 15/07/2025 16:08

You can't do childcare while working. They will sack you if they find out you are doing that.

YesHonestly · 15/07/2025 16:11

As the above poster said, you can’t WFH and look after a child. You would be doing a disservice to both your employer and your child and would lose your job if they found out.

I understand you need a career change, but this is not the job for you. The advert makes it clear that the office days are on rotation, why did you apply?

rubyslippers · 15/07/2025 16:12

You need to arrange childcare
you cannot work and take care of a child
not fair to your employer or your kid
a lot of employers do not allow it and have contractual clauses about it
it also causes massive upset between employees

HermioneWeasley · 15/07/2025 16:12

You need childcare for all the days you’re working.

MoreChocPls · 15/07/2025 16:13

Seriously, are you taking the mickey? Yes. Tell your future employer you plan to work with a baby and see where that gets you.

Chewbecca · 15/07/2025 16:15

Well if you told me that as a potential employer, I wouldn't be able to offer you the role FT, only for the hours you have childcare.
WFH whilst looking after a baby isn't fair on your employer or your baby and puts a huge amount of pressure on you, don't do it.

Pancakeflipper · 15/07/2025 16:17

You cannot WFH and be looking after a child. It's not fair on work nor the child.

It won't work out well and you'll be stressed out.

Ilovemyshed · 15/07/2025 16:17

You cannot WFH and look after tour child. Unacceptable and you will get the sack if they find out (which they will).

Blarn · 15/07/2025 16:20

Yes, from all of us who cried through trying to work and look after children during Covid: you can't do it. As well as in the first few weeks you will be doing a lot of training either online or face to face, you can't keep stopping it to care for your child. That is how you get let go from a new job very quickly.

NuffSaidSam · 15/07/2025 16:20

You can't WFH and look after your child. It's not fair on the child or the employer.

You also can't refuse to work a rota if the work requires a rota to be worked.

This clearly isn't the job for you.

IdaGlossop · 15/07/2025 16:25

No way can you do this. Childcare with babies is all-encompassing. You will not be able to work alongside. Do you have a DP/DH to share your baby's care? If you do, working full time will be very much easier.

MadeofCheeese · 15/07/2025 16:43

I've been working from home 5 years now. I've never had my child with me. I'm working. My work is hard and I need to concentrate. It would never occur to me to not pay for nursery. I simply would not be able to do my job. It's just not done. You get a lot of benefits working from home but being able to avoid childcare fees is not one of them I'm afraid. Good luck in your interview.

HarryVanderspeigle · 15/07/2025 17:00

If you intend to have childcare when you are working then there is no need to mention a child and they can't ask you. If you intend to work while looking after a child then this is not the job for you. Some jobs such a child minding would allow this, but your child would count towards the ratio of how many children you could look after.

AgnesX · 15/07/2025 17:04

I'd be very careful of that job description arrangement. The fact that it says based on site and alternating rota sounds like might be trickier than you think.

Make sure you clarify it at interview.

50lbstolose · 15/07/2025 17:16

Everyone has pretty much cracked this one:
1- can't wfh and look after your child
2- they have said it is a rolling rota, so no you can't only work the same 3 days every week

This is not the job for you

Mrsttcno1 · 15/07/2025 17:17

As you’ve already been told, you can’t do this, you’d be sacked.

Lafufufu · 15/07/2025 17:18

I should mention that I have a young child that I will be looking after alongside WFH

No employer would accept this.you cannot WFH caring for a baby. You need childcare.

Insidelaurashed · 15/07/2025 17:19

Some jobs ARE ok with a little bit of parenting when WFH, mine is-for things like 'oh X is poorly today so she's on the sofa with a film and I'm working emails instead of phone calls because I've been honest with the boss' sort of thing. Or 'normally she's with Grandma but Grandma is at a doctors appt so for two hours she's here, but she's 7 and can be trusted to play in her bedroom with me checking on her every 10 mins or so'. No one would be able to look after a baby

Slightlysimi · 15/07/2025 17:20

if that’s not what they are offering you can’t do it.

As someone who did look after a small child while working, with employers full permission, you absolutely will not get away with hiding it and trying to do so would be wrong. You need to either choose work or being home with child. Doing both is not sustainable. Trust me. I know.

Original poster
PinkStrawberryDream · 15/07/2025 18:04

Wow ok I wasn't expecting this much response haha.
As I stated in my original post, my Mat leave ends mid-August and therefore so does my maternity pay so I need to find a job one way or another to bring money in, as my DH works but does not earn enough to sustain us all.
Unfortunately I haven't had much luck on the job application front so far so am trying to take what I can really and try and find ways around it. I have only WFH once during COVID and that was for a call centre role but this was obviously pre-child so I don't know what the juggle with caring for a child alongside it would've been like.
Basically what I'm asking is should I be upfront before the interview next week and ask if they would be open to part-time work (and before anyone says anything, yes I know it's advertised as full time but I know some places can be open-minded with things), and/or say that I would be caring for my child on my WFH days.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkStrawberryDream · 15/07/2025 18:07

PinkStrawberryDream · 15/07/2025 18:04

Wow ok I wasn't expecting this much response haha.
As I stated in my original post, my Mat leave ends mid-August and therefore so does my maternity pay so I need to find a job one way or another to bring money in, as my DH works but does not earn enough to sustain us all.
Unfortunately I haven't had much luck on the job application front so far so am trying to take what I can really and try and find ways around it. I have only WFH once during COVID and that was for a call centre role but this was obviously pre-child so I don't know what the juggle with caring for a child alongside it would've been like.
Basically what I'm asking is should I be upfront before the interview next week and ask if they would be open to part-time work (and before anyone says anything, yes I know it's advertised as full time but I know some places can be open-minded with things), and/or say that I would be caring for my child on my WFH days.

Also please can people only respond if they have genuine advice. I am already stressed enough about being jobless as it is without being attacked by strangers on the internet for a genuine question.

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 15/07/2025 18:09

PinkStrawberryDream · 15/07/2025 18:07

Also please can people only respond if they have genuine advice. I am already stressed enough about being jobless as it is without being attacked by strangers on the internet for a genuine question.

Show quote history

You’ve been given really honest advice
you may not agree with it
if you tell your interviewer you’ll be caring for your children whilst working what do you think they’ll say?

MounjaroMounjaro · 15/07/2025 18:09

But you're at home looking after your baby now. Surely you know you couldn't do a full time alongside that care? Most people struggle to make a sandwich or have a shower, never mind doing a full time job.

What about looking for an evening job, so that your husband comes home and you go straight out of the house to work?

Jamesblonde2 · 15/07/2025 18:12

WFH does not mean you can look after your child as well. You’re supposed to be working!

Jamesblonde2 · 15/07/2025 18:14

Oh and nice for your employer to be expecting you back, and you have no intention of going back!