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Hi wysiwyg. Work has already extended my leave so it runs straight into number 2 but I was thinking about going back for a few weeks until they find someone else. It was,more that I wanted to give back because of how great they have been. Given how exhausted I am now, not sure how I would go. I'm only 32 weeks at the moment but get what you mean about more tiring.
Aah I see, I also understand the not wanting to leave them in the lurch but I would be a bit selfish and enjoy your time at home, for such a short time probably wouldn't be as helpful as you think.
Held in the evening here. Most parents work in some capacity. Even if only one parent works, it opens it up to both parents being able to attend. There are many fathers on school council, whereas parents club seems to be all mothers.:
There is one meeting held during the day and that is the Finance one, this is due to needing the business manager (Office) there.
I am school council and one sub-committee that is about building the school community (not a standard sub committee, but one those in the Dept want more schools to have). Would like to be on Finance, but the day and time does not fit with work (anyway 2 meetings a month is enough really ;) )
See that is what I thought too, evenings would be the best option to get most people to attend. I asked about it in the starting school thread, and the answers I got about daytime meetings not being uncommon because night times are 'difficult' really surprised me (most of the difficulties with night-times are also faced by those who work in the day - but the fact is however difficult it is to work around meal-times and bedtimes etc etc - it is much easier than trying to get time off work.):
I am just surprised at how many things are scheduled during the school day (3 so far) (things that are supposed to be about people getting to know each other, giving out information and fostering as sense of community – not things that obviously have to be during school hours – like tuck shops etc) - is like there is an expectation that work is a thing that people can easily come and go from as they please, which can’t be normal surely? (certainly isn’t the experience of DH or I – or friends of ours (teachers being a prime example)).
The one on today I sent my mum on my behalf - and she thought was only about 20 - 30 parents there (the school has 600 pupils) - it was meant to be a welcome one for foundation parents too which I thought would have bolstered the numbers some what - she did find out that they do alternate the meetings daytime and evening - so I wonder what attendance they get in the evening - I would have thought that if they get double that in the evening then why do the day ones.
Got new job. Start Thursday. Back full time :( The boss seems really nice and easy going. Hope this one works out.
Good luck! I hope it's awesome :D
Keeping everything crossed this one is better BD
Thanks Guys seemed really positive. Just not sure how I will go getting to work. It's a 35 min drive In normal traffic so I'm dreading peak hour
That is like mine BD - 35 mins in the morning because I leave at 7:00 but coming home at 16:30 - an hour is a good run - my tip is become friends with Google Maps and its traffic view - using that has really helped me as I can alter my route according to the traffic, I check on computer at work before I leave but also have it on my phone and can use like a Sat Nav. I still hate it but using it and audiobooks/podcasts have made it more bearable. (Also at work there are a few people who live similar directions and if there is an accident or something, someone always knows about (benefit of Logistics company I suppose) and so they let us go earlier before the bad traffic builds up)
OMG someone kill me now. Sooooooo tired
Hope the tiredness has passed BD - or at least got a little less.
Mum leaves on Wednesday but DH is back so real life starts Thursday. Work is ok, the work itself is good but team environment not as friendly and 'team' like as I would like - but sometimes just because of the commute which I hate I wonder if that is tainting my opinion of the work itself.
Just booked all the holiday care for DD - as we are paying for DS anyway, and DH job finishes just after Easter felt couldn't take any time off (plus the commute those weeks will be a dream :-)).
OP - don't you start your new job soon.
MN - how is your job going?
Hello ladies, I was wondering why I couldn't reply to any posts then realised at 25 pages the last thread had probably been closed and a new one started but I couldn't for the life of me remember where this thread lived- was looking in the family life and after baby forums. Didn't even think of the pregnancy forums!
Could we have a link to the new thread at the end of the old perhaps?
Anyway, still catching up on news so apologies for merely 'liking' posts and not writing. But from what I can garner...
OP did you get the job?
BD how is the new job going? Bugger on the last one. Sounds pretty suss to let you go on a series of 'small mistakes' anyway so maybe not a great work environment anyway.
MummaT how are you? How is the new role?
Leckert yay on the job. I hope it feels good even without teaching.
Foss congratulations on a new round belly! I would be leaving that bit earlier too, could you finish any loose ends from home? I did that with the latter stages of both of my pregnancies. Finished office at a certain point but did bits and pieces from home after that.
Wysiwyg and Peanutter how are you? Thank you both for your detailed advice in my job interview post.
Speaking of, I got the job! Fulltime for the first time in a long time. Will be flexi- leaving work around 4 most days and picking up the extra at home. Was hesitant going fulltime but this is a place I've dreamed of working at since uni. It is a new role in a new department which excites me and I feel I have to give it a good go.
However with a history of nagging Motherguilt I have felt unable to openly celebrate this great new role... I think not only because it is full-time but because it is a whole new role in a new place in a new city and state. My first job change in 8 years! I feel like I am not going to be enough for my babies, both of whom are very mama-focussed (3 years and 11.5 months). For the moment DH (not working due to a 13 year redundancy) will be their carer so I know they will be in excellent hands but I have always been their number one even while working and it upsets me a lot to think about not being there for the bulk of the week/month/year etc. I guess this is normal and I also think I am nervous about this new start generally.
Congrats - and good, thanks.
The last few week shave been really, really crazy busy - working late most nights, and don't remember the last time I was home for dinner more than once in a week.
But all in all, things are going well :)
Job is going great just need this baby to sleep
Congratulations on the new job LL.
Doing well here, i am 25% of the way through my diploma now so just working my backside off to get through it as quickly as possible. The kids seem to have settled down a bit more with me being away from them so much so feeling much better about that now.
I still don't have a desk at work after a month which is really irritating me more than it should but i have heard the delay is because we have to move buildings so i just have to be patient, have i mentioned i am not ver patient? Is that the right spelling? 6 wake ups last night and a full day of staring at the screen makes one tired mummy.
Oh I feel you hun.
It got worse... the following night he woke every 30-40 minutes, frickin teeth!
But he slept through last night bless him, so feeling semi human today.
I redid our budget last week and was getting very concerned we didn't have enough money, well stupid me hadn't budgeted in almost 600 month! woohoo we have a little left over each month for the first time in years.
How is the job going LL and everyone else who has started new jobs.
Hope children are complying by sleeping Mumma T and BD
I have applied for a new job, a permanent and 5 mins walk from home - I would give my right arm to get it - it probably wouldn't be quite so good money wise but for permanent in such a good location I couldn't care less. Not feeling that confident although I am a perfect candidate, normally I get a call as soon as they get my CV and haven't this time but maybe is because is direct with a company not a recruitment agent so maybe will take more time.
Current job is ok, just ok, I really hate the commute and am not sure there is much future there, so we shall see.
What do people normally do school holidays? DD is in School Holiday program this time, because as we are paying for DS daycare anyway and DH job finishes in less than a month then I can't afford the time off this time - but am wondering if really DD could have done with more of a break - her behavior only two days into the school holidays has been pretty atrocious, and I don't know some of it seems very attention seeking - so I wonder whether just getting some more time with us (DH has been away and working alot) might help, and maybe next school holidays depending on finances I should think more about having some time off. She seems to be coping with school and the long hours four days a week ok but maybe she isn't as well as I thought.
I try to take some time of during the school holidays. I don't work Fridays, so that is one I day they don't need to go to vacation care. Sometimes DH will take a day or two (he gets RDO's) and I will try to organise at least one day at a friends house. Vacation care is careful to balance what they do and it is ok for the girls to go off to a quiet corner to read rather then be involved if they feel the need.
It is hard, as sometimes they really just need a slow, lazy week at home. Camping trips do help (close to home ones), as it gets them away from technology and outdoors more, so they get physically tired, rather than mentally.
Had complete meltdown from DD2 this morning. Just absolutely sobbing that she wants to spend time with me these holidays. Does not seem to understand that neither DH or I are working next week, so we will have the whole week together as a family. It can be so hard. Does not help that we have been busy and stressed later, so hoping camping helps her over the weekend and then I am taking her to the movies next week.
Hope the camping holiday helped your DD Astrid (we enjoyed our trip although was busier than I expected and the weather on the Mon/Tue not much cop). DD after the first two days of holiday madness seemed to settle which was good.
DH has finished up at work and is now job hunting - so my life is easier for a bit as he can do all the school drop off and pick ups unless has interviews. DD has a curriculum day tomorrow so is great he is home and they can have some fun together. He has only had a week off so far and I reckon we have maybe 6-7 more weeks before money situation gets stressful - so will enjoy it while I can.
I never heard about the local job I applied for which is a bit depressing. Half way through my contract now, I can't see it being long term - I really just can't bear the commute and although in a lot of ways the job is 'easy' - it just doesn't motivate me enough. If I haven't got anything else and they want to extend I will though while I look for something else.
Hello ladies. Excuse me if I'm in the wrong place as I've never been in this forum before but could anyone please direct me to a thread if there is one for mommies with in law grandparenting issues? Or anything related to that. I'm really sorry if this is overly off topic. I've been on other forums where I was not received very kindly for asking this question and being "off topic". Please don't hate me :) hahs
Hi Chelsey - Welcome to BB.
Probably post in here on what you are describing: Families & Relationships
:)
Hi to everyone else! Its been a while since I dropped in. Not much news from. No job yet and the end of my project is getting closer and closer. Sigh. Hope you guys are all well.
School are having a mothers day morning tea on Monday at 10:00AM - all I can say is the Fathers day one better be at 10:00AM too! Is extra tricky at the moment because I am sole earner and as I contract if I don't work I don't get paid - a 10:00AM event means half a day off. Will have to see if can maybe make it up on my day off (as DH is home, so can watch DS) as I haven't managed to make any of the what seems like loads of daytime events at the school (I did the parent participation course but they want you to commit to going weekly or at the least fortnightly and I just can't take that time off and there are no suitable sessions on my one non work day (although I am not sure I would want to have to spend my one day with DS going into school every week anyway)).
Trying to work out an exit strategy from current contract - DH has got a few things looking like might come off so that will be a relief.
Is so quiet in here (and BB in general) - I hope is because everyone is having such a wonderful time at work.
Wysiwyg - although my children aren't yet school age, it never ceases to amaze me the pressure put on working mums by schools to attend events. The amazing mums I work with struggle enough with balancing work and family without being made to feel bad about not attending weekly events. The same pressures don't seem to be placed on the fathers. Surely things will have to change soon with 65 percent of mothers in full or part time employment.
You would have thought should be at that point already - our school hasn't announced what they will do for fathers day but I know they have done breakfasts previously (and a quick google, shows a prevalence of the term "mothers day morning tea" and "fathers day breakfast" at many schools).:
I am not sure if DD's school is particularly bad, or everywhere is like that. They have a terrible habit of putting reminders about things up as you go into the classroom - conveniently forgetting that quite a few parents don't take their child to school at 9:00am regularly, but use the wonderful OHSC, so these types of reminders are useless. Or they want stuff to be delivered to the office (not to the classroom) never mind that you are not at the school when the office (and often access to the office) is open (with older kids is ok as they can take to the office but with foundation they aren't allowed to wander to the office). Last term they organised an assembly for the hour after all the foundation students finished, and invited parents, but didn't specify what would happen if your child was going to OHSC - then the day before decided they would just change the time foundation finished to after the assembly but it was too late for us to cancel OHSC for that hour. They never give sufficient notice on things - I think a week is minimum should give for if they want you to come to something in the day. Is like they are completely blind to the fact on working parents and mums in particular exist.
That sounds pretty standard from what I hear at work. I don't know how the single mums that work full time manage when being messed around like that.
That is ridiculous, what do they mean commit once a week? Like doing reading group or canteen etc? Surely they don't say mum must do it, can't dad? Or maybe a grandparent? If they said mum I would chuck a huge stink. But mine aren't at school yet, so don't actually have that problem...
I'm stalking back in here cause I got a start date with work to go back. 15 June. quark will only be 6 months =( but we just can't survive on only DHs wage. We are scraping so tight as it is with my half pay maternity leave. I'll only be going back .3 to start cause I worked out the base and penalties for that will cover the bills, petrol and care for Spock. And I requested set shifts for the first few months while we settle back into it. They said they are sure they can do it, and will let me know when the roster is out, so haven't said yes as such...but hopefully they do it. Mum and dad said they will watch Quark for me. I'm hating that I have to go back so early
Yes the parent participation is for helping in the classroom so reading sessions etc.* It can be anyone but you have to have done their parent participation “course”* which was two evening sessions x 2hrs – which they run once a year.** DH was away in Brisbane so couldn’t do it – so I did it, before that there was no mention of you having to make a regular commitment but during *the evening sessions they sprung it on us, that they didn’t want people who couldn’t commit to going in regularly.*** So they haven’t specified mums for it but for anyone who works full-time (or even just those who have younger siblings they are looking after) a weekly/fortnightly commitment is pretty full on (we have no grandparents here, but if we did and had known about the regular commitment thing I would have got my mum to do the course).
*
If the purpose of having parent helpers is because children seeing their parents being involved in their learning encourages children in their learning (lots of studies support this idea, and is one of the things the school says too) then mandating such a regular commitment is hardly fair on children whose parents have to work (this is the bit the school forgets I think – is that for many parents they have to work to make money to live,* it isn’t some little hobby that they can duck in and out of as they please).* Once a month I would be happy to take a couple of hours off to go in, but more than that just isn’t feasible.** Maybe next term I will have different working arrangements that might work, and I think I will get DH to do the course next year so that then depending on work arrangements is easier.**
*
Sorry you are hating the thought of going back so early TT40 – I was lucky and didn’t have to go back for a year with either of mine, but I have a few close friends who have done it from 4-6 months and most have not found it as hard as they thought (although I don’t think any of them enjoyed the pumping), especially if grandparents have been looking after the little one.*
Oh WYSIWYG you aren't making me want to send my DS to school next year :( I'm already stressing and I've still got how many months to go.
He will be going to am and pm OSHC which is crap but I start at 8 and hubby starts at 6 (if he is even in the same state) and I finish at 5 with an hour drive :(
Ah BD don't stress about the OHSC part - DD does 7:30 to 17:30 4 days a week when we both work and adores OHSC - she asks to go all the time. The people there are really caring and she mixes with kids of different ages - has more space and outdoor play and does far more craft and fun stuff than she would if was at home after school. Just like I did with childcare I find my views on it changing as has become a reality. Most parents who use it say the same their kids love it. Your school may be much better at handling the whole working parents thing, I suspect the demographic of the area impacts on how accomodating a school is - on FB when I moaned about the morning tea plenty of friends had breakfasts happening as early as 7:15.
I see the changes to childcare have been announced - (won't really effect me personally as coming in, in 2017 so DS will be in school so the cost is dramatically less anyway), bit of a mixed bag (especially the removal of current funding for some groups and tying it to the FTB reforms) - the bit I really approve of is the removal of the cap for most people
"Families earning under $185,000 will not have a cap on their subsidy amount. Those earning more than $185,000 will have a cap of $10,000."
It is at least a recognition that it is the CCR Cap that is way out of step with current childcare prices. (Mine go up again in June another $8 a day 7% up to $118 for 3/4 and $123 if younger)
:
The Abbott government has unveiled its long-promised childcare package pledging more money for many families from 2017 but stripping others of nearly all of the childcare assistance they currently receive.
Here's how the current system, the government's proposed system and suggestions by the Productivity Commission stack up:
Childcare changes: "More affordable and more accessible childcare," says Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Current system:
* A Child Care Benefit, which is means tested.
* A Child Care Rebate, which is not means tested.
* Jobs, Education and Training Fee Assistance for parents who qualify for the maximum rate of the Child Care Benefit.
Productivity Commission report:
Combine all three payments into a single means-tested subsidy.
New government policy:
Combine all three payments into a means-tested single subsidy, with additional payments for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
PAYMENT AMOUNTS
Current system:
Varies depending on work and income circumstances. The Child Care Rebate covers 50 per cent of out-of-pocket child care expenses up to a maximum of $7,500 per child per year. Means-tested Benefit for a non-school aged child is $4.10 an hour.
Productivity Commission report:
A subsidy rate set at the median price across different services. Families at or below $60,000 get 85 per cent back and families at or above $250,000 get 20 per cent back. For children under three, $7.40 per hour rate for long day care, $6.94 for all children in family day care and as well as nannies.
New government policy:
Families earning up to $65,000 will get 85 per cent back per child of the actual fee or benchmark price (whichever is lower). Families on about $170,000 and above will get 50 per cent back. The subsidy rate is based on projected mean price in 2017, plus 17.5 per cent for long day care and 5.75 per cent for family day care. This will be $11.55 an hour for long day care, $10.70 for family day care and $7.00 for nannies.
Families earning under $185,000 will not have a cap on their subsidy amount. Those earning more than $185,000 will have a cap of $10,000.
WORK REQUIREMENTS
Current system:
Parents are currently able to access 24 hours of the means-tested Child Care Benefit per child each week without having to meet a work or study test. The non-means-tested Child Care Rebate requires both partners to work or train "at some time" during the week.
Productivity Commission:
Both parents need to work or study for 24 hours a fortnight to qualify for childcare subsidies. Would be exempt if they are on income support payments.
New government policy:
Parents will have to work between 8 and 16 hours a fortnight to get 36 hours of subsidy over the same period. If they work up to 48 hours, they will get 72 hours of benefit. If they work 49 hours they will get the full 100 hours of benefit. Families earning less than $65,000 a year will get up to 24 hours per fortnight of childcare.
I update my income and now I get 0% ccb cause of their stupid system flagging my acc incase of an over payment so stupid
BD that will reset after June 1st xxx
Yeah I know but until then I have to pay $1000 a fn
Sucks doesn't it :(
I'd change your income back.
It certainly sucks and is something as my income fluctuates enormously (I would so prefer to be permanent) now with only one in childcare it doesn't hit so hard. Will be interesting to see how they manage this type of situation if only one payment, currently if your CCB goes down to 0% at least you still get the CCR (although if already at cap no help) and then they sort it out at the end of the year. I would have had major issues if lost everything, but then the limits on the proposed payments are higher I would not have reached anyway,
My work situation is changing. Doing an interstate move, but get to keep my job so far at reduced hours.
FTB is stuffed for this year due to a payout for DH from his old job. Can't estimate next year as we are not 100% of the new jobs pay (there is oncall etc). Also my hours are up in the air.
The new CCB hours test will be hard, as I may be dropped to 10 hours a week. Whilst I don't need daily childcare, I will need to access vacation care. With two kids, makes it a loss making week.
So you are moving Astrid? Apart from the work stuff - is it a good move?
At least the benchmark rates seem not to bad, I was concerned that the benchmarks would be very low compared to actual fees in some areas. Although if where I am increases by 7 to 10 percent a year as has been the path so far then by 2017 the gap will be reasonable again. I hope it is the staff who are getting the benefit of these fee increases but I doubt they are seeing anywhere near a 7% rise per year. I think if I was choosing childcare center again that would be one thing I would look at, whether there is any transparency about where the money is spent. I don't object to centers making a profit but every year the same old "maintain the high standard, rent increases etc etc" is trotted out for the reasons for the increases.