SINGLE PARENTS FORCED TO WORK

Im a single parent and have been for 10 years, i have always worked a few hours a week and really enjoyed it. it gets me out in the real world and the job i do is very flexible so fits around school. however, i was told seven months ago that i MUST find full time employment or else! so i did, i now try to fit in my previouse job as i cant let them down they have been very good to me AND the new job AND the children. before, i was there for the children when they needed me, now im not, before, i was allowed to keep the extra £20per week that came in handy, now i have to pay for school meals £18per week, bus fares as im no longer available for the school run £20 per week, full rent full tax, extra fuel. long story short now im off income support and working full time im £12 per week worse off! not to mention my relationship with my children has changed. we used to talk about their day on the drive home from school now they are already home and doing homework by the time i get in. i then have to start doing tea and cleaning up so theres not much conversation there, most of our interaction now is "wheres my pe kit?" "why isnt my shirt ironed?" someone asked me the other day if my daughter was doing french or spanish at school and i didnt even know. my son needed some cakes for a bake sale a couple of weeks ago and i kept forgetting as i had so much other stuff regarding work on my mind, the day before the sale he yelled at me that i never listen to him anymore and that they dont matter to me now. it broke my heart and i was driving into town at 9:30pm trying to find a supermarket that was open. im so distracted now that my children are not getting the attention they need and im so tired all the time, being out at work all day then having to start again in my own home. the holidays are the worst, we used to hike and camp and go swimming during half terms and such, now they are stuck indoors with the telly while im out all day. i feel so bitter that i have been forced into this situation, its just so unfair on all of us. oh and my lovely garden is now a jungle.    ok....deep breath.....rant over... if your still reading, thanks for bearing with me. Debsxx