Single parents: working or not?
Deciding whether to work or not is a tough decision for all single mums and dads.
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Many of us feel we don't have much of a choice - circumstances dictate whether we need the money, whether we can afford the childcare, whether we want to continue balancing out work and family, or take time out to concentrate on the kids.
When you're a single parent the choices often seem even more limited. Here we list some of the things you might think about, and also ask your views on what's been the best way forward for you. If you've recently separated, you are perhaps finding that you're suddenly having to take some very big decisions - perhaps about where you live, maybe moving schools, perhaps about changing jobs, or childcare arrangements.
Even if you've been single for a long time, if you are the main carer and also are responsible for providing most of the money that you and the children live off, it can create a lot of pressure, and it's sometimes difficult to risk making a change even if you want to.
What's best for you?
Take some time to think about what you want for you and your family. Here are some questions that might help you to think it all through.
Are you happy with your current situation (whether working or staying-at-home)?
What would you like to be doing in 2, 5 or 10 years time, and do you need to do something to help you get there?
Do you feel that you've got enough money to get by and you've got the work-life balance right? Would it make a difference if you could earn more? If you'd like to work more than you do, what's stopping you at the moment?
Is it the fact you can only really work while the children are being looked after or are at school? Or that you can't find a job nearby that pays well enough? Or would it be too exhausting for you? Do you feel that it's not worth working because you'd not be much better off, and it's important to be there for your children?
Read our top tips for getting that work life balance right.
Happy with what you are doing?
Of course, you may have gone through everything and decided that you are doing the right thing already - or simply found there's no other route at the present time. In which case, tell yourself you are doing the best that you can, and don't feel guilty!
Want to make some changes?
Having gone through the questions, if you're unhappy with where you are now, perhaps you can make some changes - if not now, then think about working towards some changes in the future.
Finding solutions
Use our single parents board to find out what others do, and our working from home pages to look at some possible options.
Getting all the benefits and support available
There a great calculator at http://www.entitledto.org.uk that will help you find out about the your benefit entitlements. Citizen's advice provide a great Advice Guide to lots of issues around family, and money.
Finding work that suits at Jobcentre Plus
Personal advisers at Jobcentre Plus can help you consider your options for returning to work. They can also help you:
- spend some time getting used to being back in a work environment
- get training to help you get the right job
- get a Work Trial to test out whether a job works for you
You may need to find someone to look after your children while you are at work. Or you might need to arrange the hours you work to fit in with your childcare responsibilities. Your personal adviser will talk you through your options. And when you're ready to make that application, your advisor can help you write your CV and offer you some tips on interview techniques. They can also explain what financial help you may get when you start work, like Working Tax Credit, In Work Credit and Job Grant. Find out more about the services offered by Jobcentre here.
Look at ways to save money
We have lots of ideas for saving money and making the pennies stretch further in our money and debt section, it's packed with tips, ideas, budget planners and more.
Money Saving Expert is a great place to go to share ideas and find out about all the things that you can do to save money. There is expert advice on saving and banking, the best deals on credit cards, how to make the most of your supermarket loyalty cards and how to pay less for restaurants, days out and other entertainment.
