Single working parents

[Helentres]

I have a 7 year old a 4 year old and an 8 month. I'm planning on starting work again in sept (once 4 yr old is on full time school), however, I can't seem to get my head around how you fit work in around picking the kids up/dropping them off at school etch and then the 6 week holidays aswell!?!? What do you do with the kids for 6 weeks while youre working? How do you afford all the extra child care etc? And how do you get your new employer to go for the whole flexible working hours thing?

I don't have a partner to help me out and all family members have busy full time jobs themselves so can't help out much. Any advice on this juggling act would be much appreciated. Feeling lost :S

[BeCool]

I have 2 DC - 2 and 5. I went back to work FT at 8 months for both of them. I work fairly close to home and I drive (15 mins on average).

DD2 gets picked up (CM does a school run) and I drop DD1 to school before work. She goes to an after school playgroup or to a friends after school and I collect them both between 5.45 and 6.15. I give DD1 tea at home but DD2 has had her dinner.

The school hold have been much easier than I thought. I've taken a day off a week, the CM has them both some days, DD1 has some playmates, XP has had them the odd day. X and I have a week off each - so it's only 4 weeks to cover. Its gone fast.

I have it well set up and it helps everything (school, childcare, home work) is all relatively close to each other. Not much travelling time. I don't have family in the country or many friends that can help close by.

My employers are supportive and understanding which is fantastic, but I don;t take the piss.

We are in a great rhythm the 3 of us. Only problem is we need to move, which means move out of the area & this horrifies me as I value how everything is set up so much.

You can make it work! You will get working tax credits towards childcare costs - phone them up and check out what you are entitled to.

[BeCool]

I save a little bit of the tax credits each month to cover the extra cost during school holidays, half terms etc. i have to budget well.

[CookieDoughKid]

I employed an aupair. Just £70 a week which is pocket money and pays towards her phone bill for emergency calls. She does all the school runs and helps out a lot. Works 33 hours a week for me. It changed my life. Though you do need a room for her!