Answer by Linda Whittern

Let's think about all your options ....

Firstly, have you investigated whether you'd be entitled to any state help to pay your childcare costs and / or boost your family income? In your shoes, I'd contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or JobCentrePlus, explain your precise circumstances and find out whether there are any schemes that might help.

If you're not entitled to state help with childcare costs, would a "Mum-swap" childcare arrangement (with another would-be working Mum) be practicable? This option is legal (there's been a court case that proves it) but it is potentially very risky. You'd need to know your Mum-swap partner (and their family and friends) well enough to be absolutely sure your children were safe in her home; similarly, she'd have to feel the same way about you, your family and your friends. This option also assumes your Mum-swap partner has only one child (or at most two children) herself and that both of you only want to work part-time.

Depending on your partner's working hours and the hours you work, your "other half" may be able to provide the childcare. The obvious downside of this option is that it reduces the amount of "quality time" you and your partner can put into your relationship with each other and with the children.

There's a wide range of vocational courses up to NVQ2 level that people without qualifications can do at their local FE and community colleges - fees are paid and so are childcare costs. If you consider taking any of these courses, push the tutors hard to find out how useful they really are in making you more employable.

Lastly, you could consider doing a home-based job in customer service during the hours when the children aren't taking up all your time. You may be able to find small local firms, councils and even large organisations like BT that are happy for you to do telesales and customer service work during the odd hours you have available.

GOOD LUCK!

Linda Whittern is Director of Careers Partnership (UK), a careers consultancy for people at all stages of their careers. Email lw@careers-partnership-uk.com for a private consultation.