Baby sitting

Don't you have to pay for your own training course for TA?

Or what about teaching assistant?

School secretary? Few and far between though.

His brother is at college now, and works in the family business as well.
Plus, his dad now has full say about what he can and can't do (for now!)

Thank you.
The shift times have not been an issue really, and they still wouldn't be if I had reliable help.
Working 9-5 Monday to Friday only works during term time, so I would rather do late finishes a few times a week and be around more during school holidays.

I'm going to work as a dinner lady, I think.
My most dreaded job!

Miss A, is it worth putting something on the local Facebook page (I am not on Facebook but know there is one)
I don't think I would do that, you don't know who might reply. You need someone you can trust. Is his brother nearby, could he help or perhaps if he has a girlfriend?

Oh Miss A, what a dilemma (and a heartache) for you when you and your grandson have lost a person so precious to them. I am so sorry that things aren't running smoothly.

I can understand you wanting to do your very best for your grandson in the circumstances, and I agree, he being left alone in the evening wasn't what you planned and is worrying. I am so sorry your neighbour failed you both, and I am sorry too that you have to go out to work unsociable hours. It's no wonder you feel like crying.

I couldn't have a falling out with your neighbour, mainly because she is someone you know and who knows you. It does sound as though you give more of yourself to her then she gives to you.

I really wouldn't know the best way to go about getting a reliable babysitter, so I am of little help. I wouldn't go to social services though. The last thing you want now is anyone carelessly and thoughtlessly applying labels - about you not being there for your grandson, or he being at risk or neglected. That would be awful, but you know how people can misinterpret situations.

I do sympathise with you and if I lived nearby I'd gladly help out. I wish I could offer more helpful advice.

Its care work, and the shifts are almost always unsociable hours.
There are exceptions, but its an agency, so I have to get my feet in the door, as it were.
I think they're well and truly out at minute!
My thinking was to persevere until I could find somewhere with better hours, so I could become a regular ad hoc worker, as and when it fits in with grandson.

Is this a new job MissA? Is it a case of last in does the most unsocial hours?
Would you be able to change your hours in the near future?

Its not the legal aspect that I was concerned about too much, although its also part of it.
I just think how miserable it must be to come home to an empty flat, eat dinner alone, and then get yourself ready and off to bed all without anyone there, when you've just turned 11.
Fine as a very occasional thing, perhaps, but not as a regular thing, particularly under the circumstances.

Miss A - just catching up with this and wanted to send some positive thoughts to you. Firstly, there is no legal age when children can be left alone. It's up to parents/carers. The down side is that if anything happens to a child (under 16) when s//he/s been left alone the carer can be prosecuted for neglect. I simply can't imagine that happening to you. I have work experience of the kind of place you find yourself and grandson in and can't imagine anyone being anything other than sympathetic and constructive

I'm involved in putting baby to bed right now, but will have a think and come back, hopefully with something constructive. Meanwhile, relax x

Oh thank you! I really would appreciate that!

MissA I will make enquiries this side for you ?

I'll check out all of the suggestions tomorrow, thank you.
Neighbour has gone off now to deal with yet another family crisis, so its just as well, really.
None of it is her fault; I think we both overestimated what she can manage these days.

What a lovely attitude you have MissA; I'm feeling more understanding now I've moaned about her.
Do you have any youth provision nearby? Local youth clubs (most are church run ones) may be able to help with advice and even some provide some activity nights.

I don't use Facebook, grannygravy.
One of those times when I wish I did though.

I don't know.
Probably not. We don't seem to have much except empty buildings.

Miss A, is it worth putting something on the local Facebook page (I am not on Facebook but know there is one). You may find someone in a similar situation whereby you may be able to help each other?

Do you have a volunteer bureau nearby?

Sorry about the sunshine and second bunch of flowers, not sure why they didnt appear. X

missA [ sunshine] [ flowers] x

I would suggest you contact Social Work Dept
I'm not sure that I would do that.

A friend used to look after DC after school (wouldn't accept payment) but by the time she was 13 DC insisted she was fine to let herself in and look after herself after school.
It's not illegal to leave a child on their own but different authorities may put different interpretations on it. He sounds very sensible and I presume he has a mobile, can contact the neighbour who is only upstairs and knows all the rules re safety etc.

Yes, best not to 'rock the boat' as you may need her in the future - although she doesn't sound at all reliable and in fact sounds a bit dotty. Your DGS is probably more sensible than she is.
You may find a teenage girl who would be happy to sit with him, but perhaps not in the week if she herself has to get up for school the next day.

I do hope you can sort out something suitable and manage to get some shifts which are better for you both.

Thank you.
Sometimes it helps just to have people 'listen', although being called wonderful doesn't go amiss.
I will be very careful, and I will carry on doing all of those things for my neighbour, now I've had time to think about it.
Not her fault; mine, for asking something which is too much for her, although I have no idea why it would be.
I'm feeling more understanding now I've moaned about her..

I don't look at " cluttery " in any home as I'm not a judgemental person. I see it as a home however it looks. It's the people inside who matter most.

Just be very careful in your quest,MissAdventure, as I know you will be and I hope very much that a solution will be found.