Hoping I can get a bit of perspective here, as I’m currently staring at spreadsheets and feeling like I’m going slightly mad trying to make the maths work.
As some of you might know, I’m a solo mum to my wonderful 10-year-old daughter and my very energetic 19-month-old son. I work part-time in community support, which I love, but the logistics are becoming a real struggle. The main issue is the astronomical cost of childcare for my toddler. We’re in that awkward gap before the 30 hours of funding properly kicks in, and even with the new schemes rolling out this year, the ‘top-up’ fees for consumables, food, and extra hours at our local nurseries are just staggering. I feel like I’m working almost exclusively to pay for the privilege of someone else looking after my son so I can go to work.
It’s a frustrating cycle. I need to work for my own sanity and long-term financial stability (and to keep a foot in the door career-wise), but when I deduct the cost of nursery, travel, and the mental load of the morning rush, I’m left with so little. It makes me question if I should just stop working entirely until he’s older, but that feels like a massive step backwards and frankly, a bit terrifying from a financial standpoint. Being the only one making these decisions is incredibly isolating, and I worry I’m missing some obvious solution.
So, I suppose I’m asking—how are you all managing this? Especially other single parents or families on a tight budget. Are there any support schemes or creative solutions I might have overlooked? I’m already using Tax-Free Childcare, but it barely scratches the surface. I’d be so grateful for any practical tips, resources, or just to hear that I’m not the only one finding this an impossible puzzle to solve. Happy to share any resources I’ve found so far in return!