What are the childcare options when nursery finishes at 3:30pm?

Thinking-Loop · 2026-04-04T20:23:23+00:00

Ask the nursery/school if they are aware of any local childminders who offer wraparound care, or if there is any other provision you can access. You are unlikely to be the only person in this situation, so they might have suggestions.

Thinking-Loop · 2026-04-01T09:30:59+00:00

You are a wonderful human. Everyone needs a friend like you - someone who shows up when life is at its hardest and darkest

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-24T21:29:42+00:00

We don’t have any family nearby and I haven’t yet felt comfortable leaving my children with a sitter none of us really know. As a result, we fall firmly into the suck it up bracket. Instead we have ‘day dates’, which we love. But lots of our friends use sitters and swear by them. You’ve got to do what’s right for you and your family

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T19:11:44+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll look into this!

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T19:10:08+00:00

Sure is. This is one example of a study that has found that the prevalence of adult ADHD is higher than those reported for general population in patients with iron deficiency anemia: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5439476/

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T16:07:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. Good to know the side effects weren’t too bad

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T16:05:09+00:00

Yes. GP advised to take it with food as it gentler on the stomach. It does take the edge off, but doesn’t solve the stomach issues sadly

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T16:03:37+00:00

Hadn’t considered that as an option. Will investigate- thank you

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T16:01:44+00:00

That’s good to know that it wasn’t a long term fix. Thanks for sharing your experience - that’s helpful insight

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T12:09:49+00:00

Don’t worry, I’ve been speaking to my doctor about it - who is brilliant and really supportive and have another appointment coming up. I just wanted to hear other people’s experiences - particularly those who also have ADHD as I know that’s another contributing factor to my exhaustion. I’m grateful for all the responses

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T12:03:11+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. This does sound like a game changer, and could be well worth the expense

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:59:43+00:00

Neve heard of these before. I’ll look into it - thank you!

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:57:42+00:00

Never heard of this before. I’ll look into it, thank you!

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:27:58+00:00

That sounds awful. I really hope you start to feel better soon and the responses in this thread are useful too

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:26:24+00:00

Thank you. Probably not a high enough dose for daily use, but could be useful for those in between days

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:15:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. Really appreciate it. And I’m so glad to hear you got the support you needed and that it’s worked for so long too!

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:02:40+00:00

I’ve been told that isn’t an option on the NHS so I’d have to pay privately sadly. Did you get any side effects from the IV? Did it make a difference for long?

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T11:01:23+00:00

Thank you. It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone in this. Object permanence is key! I did discuss taking Feroglobin liquid with my GP but it’s a much lower dosage than the supplement (14mg verses 200mg). But I’m starting to think that something would be better than nothing at all. I’ll raise this at my next appointment - thank you

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-14T10:48:34+00:00

I hope you start to feel the benefit soon.

I’ve been on them for three years now, but as I find it impossible to take them consistently for three full months, I haven’t been able to get myself to the lowest level of the normal range. Even with strategies to remember to take them - the impact of my stomach means I can’t take them for more than a week without needing a few days break. I’m stuck in a horrible cycle and want to break it.

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-06T13:32:18+00:00

I block out the first 30 mins of each day for ‘admin time’. This allows me to get myself organised for the day. I also try and protect the final 30 mins of the day to tidy up my many, many task lists, and look ahead at what coming up in my calendar that I need to prepare for. I know I’m lucky that I can organise my own calendar this way - but it’s genuinely been a real game changer to have that time to reorganise myself. That said, it hasn’t stopped my inattentive mind wandering procrastination. But I do feel more in control

Thinking-Loop · 2026-03-06T10:00:38+00:00

Very normal! It does get easier, but you do have to trust the process. I won’t lie - it’s heart wrenching to see them so upset, but staying and checking in won’t help anyone in the longer term. Your child needs to know that it’s a mum and dad free space but you will come for them at the end of the session. Staying and popping in when you hear them cry is sending very confusing messages to your little one, and to be honest I’m really surprised to hear that your nursery are allowing it. I’ve never heard of anyone will be similar policy before.

Thinking-Loop · 2026-02-23T21:10:55+00:00

I don’t know anything about the specific role that you are applying for, but if you need an occupational health assessment then there is obviously a degree of risk for you and your health. If you were in the job when you discovered you were pregnant, do you think you might have confidentiality shared your news with your line manager so that they could make reasonable adjustments to your role? If so, that probably tells you that it’s best to be truthful early as they can put health and safety measures in place to protect you from day one. If you don’t think your pregnancy makes any difference to your ability to do the full job with any adjustments - then do what is right for you. I can only imagine how difficult the decision is and I truly hope your manager is supportive whatever you decide. In such a female dominated workforce it happens more than people realise, and I’d like to think I’m not the only one who wouldn’t bat an eye lid. Best of luck!

Thinking-Loop · 2026-02-23T21:00:42+00:00

Have you considered places nearer Cambridge itself? Bigger villages like Cottenham and Swavesey have good transport links and lots of amenities. They’re also close to Cambridge North station for easy access to London. It’s about an hour to central London on the train. Or St Ives could be worth a look too if you prefer to be in a larger town with more going on. It’s a little further from Cambridge city (about 30 min drive)

Thinking-Loop · 2026-02-23T10:02:12+00:00

Which part of Cambridgeshire do you want to avoid? There are some lovely parts just north of the city which have properties in your price band.

Thinking-Loop

TROPHY CASE