I want to change..

[squeakywheeky]

I work full-time in a primary school with children who have special needs. I do enjoy what I do but i'm shattered when I come home. I have to give my little girl who has been in childcare all day quality time and allthough I enjoy spending the time with her all I NEED to do is rest on sofa infront of TV.

OK so I can't do that and even if I could i'd be up doing something else.

Today has hit me hard. My little girl fell over at Christmas and chipped her front tooth. Over the weekend it has been causing her much pain and I needed to get her into the dentist. I asked work for the time off and promised that i'd get an appointment as late in the day as I needed. My head ummed and ahhed and said yes just go but did I send a memo round saying you'd no longer get paid if you have anytime off due to childs illness. I was shocked. I have a 2 and a half year old with absolutely no help or support if she is taken ill.

Childcare costs are killing us, i'm in debt, i am increasingly becoming frustrated with work and I (not we but there's time yet ) want more children in the furture but just cannot afford it.

I have been wracking my brain as a way out. I have come across virgin vie. I would sign up to be a consultant for them like avon I suppose, i'd do parties, have my own website for people to purchase from etc. the money I would earn and time I put into it would be upto me. I really fancy it to be honest. I wouldn't give up work but i'd like to start it now so I have something to build and fall back on when I really can have the opportunity to be a stay at home mum.

My sister has done avon and said to me not to do it but I feel I have to .. I want to be in control of my life, not working for councils.

I'd love to be a childminder and look after my own children and others for them to play with and get paid. I'd do both - be knackered but be happy with my achievement and to go to dentists whenever I needed.. come on kids - get in the people carrier!

Has anyone had feelings like this? I just want to live my life for me and mine not for the council!

 

[darkest.dreaming]

Yep, i was working flexi time but not earning a lot of money.I decided to find a nursy assistant job so my lad could go to and if i was working full time i figured i'd have more money. Well, his child care was more then i was being paid! So i was there for two months and went back to my old job. I have now got another new flexi time job starting in Apr. Once i have finished my training and our bank accounds look a bit better we will start trying for baby # 2. I have been tempted to start already and the only thing stopping me is i want to finish my police training. Then i remember how poor we are and decide(again) it's a good idea to wait! Things will get easier. Just do what you feel is right. If it doesn't work out, hey, you tried it. Better to try something once then not at all.

 

[kayjay]

I haven't worked during the day since having my son 7 years ago, I couldn't imagine putting him in childcare and still wouldn't want him to go to a summer club or childminder in the school holidays. Life is a struggle financially but somehow we get through it. I've done a couple of part time jobs in the evening and at weekends but due to health problems gave them up.

I have had a friend who did Virgin Vie and made quite a good amount of money, but it does depend on your friends initally to get the parties going.

By what you say, I'd go for childminding - you'd be there for your daughter and earning money at the same time. And when your daughter starts school you'd be there to pick her up and when she's ill etc. I've thought about childminding but don't think it's for me as tbh I'm not that keen on children, only mine ;D

Growing up I was the biggest feminist out and my degree centred around women's studies etc however my views have changed and I firmly believe that one parent (not necessarily the mother) should provide the care for the child you've produced. I have many friends who have gone back to work full time and we agree to disagree but I am very glad I'm there for my son when he needs me

 

[michellemuffin]

I've had 5 kids and been a stay at home mum to all of them so have been at home stagnating for over 25 years I did do childminding for about 5 years in between number 2 and 3 child, I am now at the point in my life when I want to do something i enjoy, the travel industry appeals as I use to be a travel agents before having my eldest in 81 but will only do part time , living where I do the holiday industry is a great thing to be in anyway, I do feel sorry for mums now a days and am glad i was able to be at home for my kids me and Mick always had the old fashioned idea that if we want kids I'm to be there for them now a days its not so important as child care is a lot different to what it use to be, I think the goverment should make it better and easier for mums to be at home if they choose to

 

[boureki]

I agree Michellemuffin, it must be really hard on parents now, with the cost of living it is no longer possible for the majority of families to have a stay at home parent...we always said if we ever had kids we would wait until we can afford it, as I would firmly like to stay home with them, but the amount of people who have said, 'if you wait until you can afford them you will never have them!' was almost infinate! Now we have decided not to have any (too busy with the piggies, naturally )

Squeakywheeky have you considered the Body Shop? they do party things like Virgin Vie and it's all ethically sourced and not tested on animals etc etc? There are quite a few now, another one is called 'Essentially Yours', its a range with similar principles to the Body Shop, but go a step further, not allowing harsh chemicals like SLS for example and using natural products. Just a suggestion - good luck! ;D

 

[Gaile]

I'm a childminder have been for 2 half years but it can be so fickle. :-\ Peoples situations can change,last year i was working 7hours a week now it's 30hours! That will reduce soon because2 of the children, will be going to school,only good thing is that my brother and wife due baby in May so Aunty Gaile will be looking after baby,from November.I'm a qualified Nursery Nurse(NNEB) so childminding is easier for me.Silly to work in "childcare in a Nursery or school " but then having to pay someone else to look after my 2!I don't have anyone to care for my children(5y & 8y) my bairns love me childminder,their always have someone to play with! :tickedoff:But sometimes it's not so good,no escape because you are in your own home! I also do Sponsored childminding through the local council helping local mums in need! You also get paid every week and even if the 'child' is off poorly you still get paid! I have the old view if you have kids then you look after them,but i'm lucky that I've been home for my 2? O0 Not everyone has that option.
What about Tax credits!

 

[minky]

I'm a working Mum though i only work a 4 day week for 3 hrs a day, I go to work cos i have to not through choice.

I was and am still lucky that my parents helped out when they were babies they oinly have them now when its school holidays but last year mom had an accident and couldnt have them it made me realise that you can never take anything for granted

Financially we struggle BUT as long as my children are happy so am i

I would love to do childminding but the stigma of living on a council estate is attached and though some dont mind others do

Good luck in whatever you decide

 

[Gaile]

Hi Minky I live on a council estate and I childmind,it took awhile but I'm now working 30hours a week. I also do Sponsored childminding! There are people on the estate that actually work! I don't have a car! but i get by.