So I found out yesterday that I won't be returning to work from maternity leave as the owners sold my workplace on Monday and the new owners can't guarantee me my job unless I only work 10 hours a week, which I can't afford with debts etc.
I was offered a job in South Brisbane for the end of the year that I've had to accept early and so will be moving to Brisbane with my 4 month old child.
My partner won't be moving down for a couple of months and since it's so short notice (probably in a fortnight) it's too late to organise day care or suitable accomodation.
Has anyone been in this situation and could help me with some advice? I'm freaking out and don't know what to do.
7 Replies
Who is going to look after the baby while you are at work? Or will the baby stay with your partner? I'm confused, this doesn't sound feasible unless you can afford to pay holiday accomodation rates and take someone with you to look after the baby. I don't want to be a downer but do your sums carefully, obviously you haven't said how much you would be earning, I suppose if it's big money it's doable!!
That's my problem, no one will be there to look after the baby but it's the only place I can get a job at short notice that pays enough to support me and my son while also paying off accrued debts.
As of this week I stop recieving maternity leave payments so I need to start work ASAP.
It's just so impossible which is why I was hoping someone had done something similar and can give me advice.
Have you already accepted the position to start in a fortnight? If not I would rethink going back to your old job (I know it's not going to pay enough but it'll at least be income coming in while you get everything sorted out for your move interstate - even if you can postpone a month or so). You're putting yourself under enormous pressure.
If you have accepted the position and are committed to starting in a fortnight I would look at seeing if a family member or someone can come and stay with you for a week or two until you can sort out other Childcare arrangements. You have options of getting an au pair or nanny, looking into family day care, ringing around daycare centres to find a position etc but depends who you would be comfortable having care for your child on such short notice. Accommodation could look at share houses or rent on gumtree or in the paper.. They're often effective immediately.
To be honest unless you're earning a massive amount of money I don't see how you will be better off than staying put for an extra month or two doing 10 hours a week and getting everything organised properly. It's more than likely you'll have to fork out a fortune for accommodation alone if you have to resort to a hotel or caravan park so how's that going to work in with your debt? Contact those that you owe debt to and negotiate alternate payment plans, most companies are pretty considerate in taking your circumstances into account especially in the short term. Also look into Centrelink benefits, you may be eligible for payments there to
Another thought.. Is it possible for your partner to take leave for a couple of weeks while you make the move and look after bub? Centrelink offers a dad and partner pay that covers up to 2 weeks leave
I think you will fimd daycare with a spot to start right away. But, moving is expensive so thats extra debt plus costs of living out of home and running two homes plus daycare fees - does working cover this and make it worht it? Especially with a four momth old,t his is a lot of change and stress.
Personally i would shelve the debt stress and stay home with baby.
If youre moving though, yes i did it. I applied for rentals through realestate.com, was accepted, moved, found daycare, then started work. All on my own. But for me i wante dto and it was a positive change and i waited until my baby was six months to move, then ten months to go back to work, before that i recovered amd enjoyed my baby. I disnt do this with my fiest and it was a big mistake.
Personally I'd start ringing day cares today, in areas you will be in, you can worry about finding the perfect daycare once you've settled in. They all have basic standards, and you'll just have to compromise.
But my personal opinion. If you can live off one wage and the dents can be spread out, do it!
I'm confused? Does your partner work? Why is it you having to support you and your son?