Am I way over my head with this?!

[PinkStrawberryDream]

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?!

You still seem to be missing the point. As already said, you can’t look after your child whilst WFH. So it sounds like your option is to ask if they would consider set part time hours, which you would arrange childcare to cover, or otherwise the job isn’t for you. I wouldn’t ask whether you can look after your child on WFH days - that looks wholly unprofessional.

Is there a reason you can't either work part time or put your child in full time childcare?

Obviously it's not ideal, but you can't work effectively with a baby/toddler at home - it's a totally different ball game from e.g. a 9 or 10 year old getting home from school an hour before you log off and plonking themselves in front of the TV.

My current employer is already aware that I won't be returning back after my maternity leave finishes, I have already given them notice of this. Nice try on the passive aggressiveness though.

It's not fair the your dc or yourself to do this. The odd day? fine but regularly is crazy.

You are either working or looking after a baby. You cannot do both and trying to do both is taking the piss.

I am open to working part-time like I said before and have been looking/applying for part-time jobs too, but as I said I'm not having much luck with places getting back to me so thought maybe if I could work from home and look after my child at the same time, it would save having to pay for nursery as we all know it's very expensive, and I would basically just be working to pay for the fees!

The advice is simple, find FT childcare or search for a PT role that fits your childcare.

People are giving you very straightforward advice. If you are applying for a full time job, then you need full time childcare. You can’t get by with just 3 days.

if you tell them you want to wfh with your child present and no nanny or other parent in charge of the child, you will not be hired. 100%, this idea is so ludicrous that they will not consider you fit to hire.

if you are absolutely opposed to finding 5 days of childcare, then you need to apply for part time jobs.

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.

You can definitely ask about changing the working pattern although generally this is easier once in the role & you have proved yourself.

If you tell them you want to WFH with a baby it would likely scupper your chances.

Do the 30 hours start from age 2? Working with young dc for me meant one salary was pretty eaten up by childcare but it does change.

I would basically just be working to pay for the fees

That's standard though unfortunately

Also if the job says on site wfh is highly unlikely.

I think someone asked above, but any chance you could get an evening job or weekends when your DH can look after DC?

I think it unwise to tell them at interview that you'll be looking after your baby whilst wfh. I highly doubt you'll be hired in those circumstances

How do you propose looking after your baby and being able to work simultaneously? You cannot do this and no employer would accept this. They can agree for flexible working eg a gap where you drop and pick baby from childcare or get back to work after they are asleep.

The job does say on site so it's unlikely you will be able to WFH and no employer will agree to you looking after a baby/toddler during work time.

It doesn’t sound workable in any way, shape, or form. Sorry but it’s just going to be a waste of time - they will think you’re smoking strong stuff when they hear that you have a child but no childcare. As in, why did you apply for this job? You need to have childcare in place before you apply for jobs. You cannot work and care for a child at the same time unless your job is childminding.

Initially you would be working and it’s a net return
but you have a partner
it’s not just your costs
but that is the reality of childcare costs
also you keep up your pension / NI contributions

If you are going to ask for all these changes to the advertised position, you need to think about how you can show you would add value and be worth it for them to hire you over someone else who can cover exactly what they are requesting.

No, don't tell an employer you are planning to look after a baby whilst working from home. It's unreasonable and will come across insulting to them.

Are there no part time ground staff vacancies at your airline?

Are you entitled to UC as well?

I think it's likely it will be 100% full-time onsite until you've successfully completed training.

I work part-time nightshifts in a supermarket because I can't get childcare for my DC (SN)

Honestly, you can’t do both at home, not full or part time, at least not giving your job what your employers want and deserve

I work as a part time nanny and a virtual PA and I keep them separate easily, occasionally the roles cross over and I have to do some PA work whilst with a child (everyone knows and no one cares so that’s not the issue) and it’s HARD…as much as things can be planned around naps etc sometimes things don’t work that way

Last week I had to make some urgent calls to Australia (so quite specific timings) and that was fine because baby religiously goes down for a nap at 9am which left me an hour to make the calls. Excellent. Except next door had builders in so huge amounts of noise so baby couldn't sleep and we had to wait in for a delivery so couldn’t leave. Juggling an overtired cranky baby whilst making the call was HARD and I didn’t do a fantastic job at it.

I know WFH with baby at home is the ideal dream and so many parents wish they could but it just isn’t feasible

Nobody is attacking you. We are pointing out that what you want is not possible with this role.

They have advertised a full time vacancy.
They have clearly stated that the office days are on a rotating schedule.

That’s before you even bring up looking after a baby while working from home!

What will you do with baby while working? You won’t be able to give them the attention that they need if you’re meant to be working 9-5, and if you do you won’t be working efficiently and it will be noticed.

This idea and going for the interview is a complete waste of everyone’s time.

I wish part time jobs easily available but its not the case unless you request it once in a role.

Honestly looking after a baby and WFH is tough you cant do either well, and sadly its definitely one of the reasons we are being pulled back into the office and the policies written enforcing it.

Im a manager and i know i can be flexible with one of my team (she is a single parent with a reception age child) she has occasionally had to wfh with him, but she has earned my trust as she always makes up her hours and is honest with me so i can support. But i cant everyday not having a meeting at 3-5 pm as we need to engage with many stakeholders and find space when we can, so she uses the ASC and if she has an issue we can occasionally move things around.

All the advice has been genuine?

Theres no need to mention you're a mother or anything like that but absolutely do not say you plan on having your child with you while you WFH. You can't do that. Most jobs will have policies against it and you won't get the job. You need childcare. It doesn't sound from the job description that this is even a hybrid role?

Perhaps you’re not understanding. WFH in ANY job while caring for a baby is as unreasonable as it would be to take your baby back to work as a flight attendant and strap it to your back while you serve the coffee.

If you suggest that you can WFH while caring for a baby or toddler the interviewers will probably terminate the interview there and then.

WFH helps parents of babies and toddlers because they don’t have to factor in a commute when dropping and picking up from childcare. That is it.

They (and any new job) will be expecting your full attention,
Also even with hybrid roles you often start off doing more office time while you learn the ropes.