Financial stress

So sorry Bianca It’s so stressful and there just isn’t enough help out there. I was in a similar situation myself. I found selling items on Vinted really helpful. You’d be surprised what people will buy (old maternity clothes is a good one) and even selling things from as little as £1 really adds up. It also has no fees & free to set up to nothing to loose. Are you able to send your son to nursery for just 2 days a week so it’s cheap using the 15 hours and try to get a 2 day a week part time job on those days? Even just something in a cafe or shop will help bring a little income in. I also recommend buying Christmas gifts second hand from charity shops & Vinted- you’d be surprised what people throw away for very cheap. Do remember toddlers barely play with toys very long- it’s always the silly cheap things or a random clothes peg they end up playing with the most! Hope this helps even just a little. You are deffo not alone X

I second the vinted idea above. I sell old things and buy new items too! I don't think a toddler would really remember this Christmas but even so, thinking back to when I was even 7/8/9 I don't remember a toy I recieved. More the games I played with family and who was around. 💕💕

@Sophie thank you 🙏🏼 ❤️❤️

It was more buying gifts for other members of my family that I’m sad about . Thank you both for your comments Xx

Remember that you may well be eligible for tax free childcare as well as the free hours, which will bring the total bill down a fair bit. You can also look at childminders as they’re often cheaper than nursery 😊 Hope you sort something 🤞🤞🤞

Do you receive universal credit? Or are you eligible?

@Bianca I often make things for friends and family for Christmas when I’m struggling- I’ll buy some nice glass kilner jars (again often these are found in charity shops or Vinted) and make things like homemade biscotti or jam’s- if you do this in bulk it can bring the cost right down. Tie a nice ribbon on it and attach a nice handwritten label on some string around the neck. It’s the thought that counts and people love stuff like this! Also agree with the others- make sure you are getting all the government help you are entitled too- they don’t always make it easy to find out. Most people get the tax free childcare which does help.

So sorry @Bianca do you feel like you can tell family members how you are feeling. People will want to support as much as they can and certainly won't want to add to your load? There are also some organisations, Turn2Us, Gingerbread (if you're a single parent) and citizens advice who can help you ensure you're getting everything you're entitled too and can also listen x

I'm sure your family would love something handmade from your toddler? We're gonna try make some Christmas cards or tree decorations 🙈🤞 I'm not very arty so wish us luck xx

@Katy ❤️ thank you xx

I completely understand the financial stress. All my family live in Australia and all my partners family is also abroad so we have absolutely no help. We are both in the uk currently on visas so we can’t have access to the free child care hours. I’ve managed to get a job as a personal carer working roughly 10 hours a week around my partners hours. I definitely don’t earn much but the little bit I do earn helps. With Christmas approaching and the struggle of surving financially I’ve had many breakdowns recently. So just want you to know you aren’t alone.

@Caitlyn thank you ❤️ and I’m so sorry you’re going through this too. 😞. I’m glad you’ve got a job as a personal carer 🙏🏼x

If you can just make some cakes or brownies for people rather than buying them expensive gifts that might help. So sorry you’re going through this, sending you positive thoughts for financial ease ❤️🙏

Try and get on prolific. It's a study website where you get paid to answer some people's studies.

@Kathryn thank you ❤️

@Alanna thank you ❤️