maintenance and holidays

Kids are 10 and 8, i have one family member who can help out 1 day a week. I have a very understanding boss who allows me to be flexible in holidays so that i can fit in around others, but obviously not for 13 weeks!

It seems unfair, yet i think im already resigned to knowing he will not help at all. I feel sorry for my kids to be honest, passed from one place to another while im at work when their situation could be far more settled.

Last summer my holiday playscheme fell through 3 weeks before the holidays and I was stumped, my ex sees the children when it suits him roughly once per month but I used the Family Information Service and found a great holiday playscheme at a local leisure centre - the children did everything from football to self defence classes and were shattered by the end of the day and Tax Credits funded 80% of the costs.

Both children want to go back again this year - I don't ask my ex for help with anything with regard to the children as it's always more hassle than it's worth and you'll feel great being independant.

Try childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk/childcarefinder/

All I could suggest is trying to find a friend who is stay at home and pay them to look after the children.
I know that some friends of my exes take that on to make the extra cash in hand and the kids keep each other company.
All the best
Pete

Other parents of children in their class might be able to help either reciprocally or for cash. When I was in a similar boat, I asked one of the assistants at their primary school for advice and she was brilliant. Mine also refused holiday play clubs, though they would go to an after school one at their own school, but I suspect that if I had made them go they would have enjoyed it.

Most holiday playschemes charge a lot less than £75 a day. They are also likely to be more reliable. So if you are going to have to pay for it, then it might be better to go for one of these.

I don't know how flexible your work is, but I have found that my children are better off going to playschemes etc. in full week blocks rather than odd days. It's often easier (and cheaper) to make whole week bookings, too. So if you can, you might be better taking full weeks off work and working full time the rest of the holiday while the children are in a playscheme.

Best wishes,
Sadie

I've had this problem since my ex left and I had no choice but to find work.
Tax credits will refund up to 80% of the child care costs..but when you phone up tell them the costs are for SHORT term child care from XXX date to XXX date. Reinterate this a few times with them or the monkeys in the call centre will think it's over a year, pay massive amounts into your account, swear blacks white that the moneys yours to spend and then when they realise their mistake will want it back!!
Find a local child minder. They normal do discounts for 2nd children. My child minder charges £3 per hour per child but used to charge me £5 an hour for my 2 little ones (I used to send mine with a packed lunch each as my cm used to charge £1.50 for a meal).
This is probably your cheapest option and a good child minder will allow you to visit before you "need" her so the kids can get to know her and the other kids she minds.
Most councils will have a list of registered child minders. Also, if you explain to him / her that you need to wait until the tax credits "go in" before you can pay I'd say most would be ok with this (as an ex child minder it was something that was quite common).
You'll need their registration number, name and address when you call to tell tax credits.
Lou xx

Thanks so much for all your replies,there's some really helpful stuff here.

Im liking the sound of the playscheme at a leisure centre, i think thats something my kids may well enjoy

Thanks