I’m ready to return to work, but only during the hours my child is in childcare. I am struggling to find anything flexible that matches my skills, and it’s draining me mentally. It feels like something that should be possible, but just isn’t.

As a single parent, I found it almost impossible to stay in employment. I lost a job I had for over 12 years and struggled deeply as a result. If something like Mums Hub had existed at the time, I truly believe my situation would have been very different.

I’ve struggled so much coming back to work after my baby was 8 months old. I couldn’t find a crèche, couldn’t afford a babysitter, and work gave me a really difficult time. I eventually found childcare, but it’s a never-ending struggle trying to balance everything.

There are so many skilled and experienced mothers sitting at home, ready to contribute. We are teachers, nurses, professionals but the system doesn’t make space for us.

Mother, Ireland

A few words… I could write a book. Mothers are so undervalued in society. So much time is unpaid for raising children and caring for family. We don’t need praise or encouragement to ‘think outside the box’. We need systems that give us dignity, access to flexible work, and real financial independence.

Mother, Dublin

In Ireland, it almost feels like a mission impossible to find work that fits around school hours. Childcare is expensive, hard to access, and work simply doesn’t align with family life.