Full Time Working Mums

[nat_84]

I'm nearly 18 weeks pregnant....

And i want to start thinking about the future and what i'll do work wise..

Me and my boyfriend both earn decent money for our ages (22yrs - �24000 & 25 - �27000).... However, although my boyfriend earns more he brings in less as he's paying off money each month on his car, loan and other bits and bobs - so he only really sees about �700 a month (rather than around �1400).

I, on the other hand have no financial commitments (other than the obvious mobile phone bill).

If i went back to work full-time we'd be financially secure and wouldn't have to worry.

However, i'm also struggling to see a bright side to sending my baby to nursery all day 5 days a week...!

Obviously i could work part-time but that would mean earning half of what i earn now....

Anyway, can you mums give me your opinions? or anyone that has a helpful opinion?

Thanks! xxx

[redcrx]

Nat, make some enquiries about how much childcare would cost in your area, it varies across the UK. Also check out the tax credits site and do the online calculations as you will get credit towards this cost. All you need to do is put in your earnings and it will calculate it. Try a few variations with childcare costs and see whats the best option.

[OBonio]

My wife went back part time after little OBonio was born. It's been hard, but we were living the life of riley before with take aways, going out most weekends and buying things on a whim. Now the responsibilities of parenthood really restrict this sort of thing so what I've found is that it balanced out well. We don't go out as often, we cook a lot more and we spend any spare cash on things for little OBonio... which are far cheaper than grown up toys!

I suspect as she gets older her demands will become more, but she'll be at school then and Mrs OBonio may be able to do more hours.

Another idea would be for you to help out paying off his debts... you're having a baby together and having a clean sheet when little one arrives will be BIG plus. Just an idea though.... maybe his pride will stop that happening (us blokes.. what are we like?).

[Octavius]

The average cost of a full-time nursery place in Britain has reached �7,400 a year, according to the Daycare Trust (8 Feb 2006) with typical costs for a child under 2 being �142 per week, more if you are in London. As redcrx has said, you should make enquiries at local nurseries to see what the going rate is.

Your employer may also run a childcare voucher scheme, whereby voucher �amounts� deducted from your salary each month to be paid towards professional (registered) child minders. Although the allowance comes out of your monthly salary, I believe it has some tax benefits.

Sadly in many cases it becomes more beneficial financially (and psychologically � difficulty in balancing work & life etc) to not go back to working full time at all, maybe just part time with flexible working hours. This site might provide some useful advice:

http://www.netmums.com/cpg/whatmatters/greatwo rkdebate.htm

[nat_84]

redcrx i've looked into childcare prices and they're certainly not cheap as we live very central London.

Yup OBonio i'm more than prepared to stop going out every weekend...getting plenty of "staying-in" practice now lol.

I'd be delighted if i could find a good part-time job, but they seem hard to come by....

As for paying off his debts...hmmm...i don't really think thats appropriate. I've been saving most of my wages towards the future which i think is good enough. He got into all the debt before i met him and i dont think my parents would be best pleased if they thought i was paying his debts off.

[Goodsoulette]

Hi nat, surestart is supposed to open to everyone these days, so look for a surestart nursery in your area. I send my youngest to one, I went back to work when he started walking (however this was early at 8 months). I decided I didnt want to miss out on those moments so went back after they had happened. Evan is very well adjusted, lively and confident. I couldnt recommend nursery more. I trust nurserys more than I do a single childminder, they have lots more activites. he comes home an absolute state, really tired out and has learned to bond with other people, without losing any bond with me. I know you worry about if they wont love you as much etc etc but they atill want there mummy.

[Goodsoulette]

oh and it costs about 25 quid a day for all day nursey, including meals.

[OBonio]

Saving towards the future... maybe the future is now? Or have you something else in mind? None of my business, I know, but if it's going to help the situation and make life more comfortable for everyone it can't be a bad thing.

Anyway, as for part time jobs, will your current employer not take you back part time after your maternity leave?

[Kelly Jo]

Have you thought about becoming a childminder yourself? That way you could work and stay at home with the little one. The childminding courses generally run in the evening and they only take weeks to complete.

[nat_84]

Goodsoulette...

I will defintely make the most of my maternity leave and i, like you and every other mother really dont want to miss out on my childs first steps.

Surestart in my area -
�56.20 per day (full time), �281.00 per week - full time, �1170.83 per month - full time
(I'm sure i could find cheaper options with a little more time)

Obonio - I currently work for a very small company and a lot of the time i'm in the office on my own...so part time wouldn't be an option here.

Kelly Jo - havent really thought about becoming a child minder myself....but will look further into it.

[Goodsoulette]

Blimey I suppose thats london waiting added on. I was quite fortunate that Evan started walking so early, as I had to leave work at 34 weeks cause it was just so flipping hot and my blood pressure went up but lazing around in the garden for 2 months was brilliant too.

[OBonio]

Well, the company will have to employ someone else, train them etc anyway. I'm sure they'd prefer to keep you on part time and get someone else in part time to cover the rest of the week... unless they're not keeping your job open to you which is very dodgy ground legally.

[nat_84]

Yes London's a bloody joke...seriously. Child care as well as the properties!

Oh i can't wait for moments like them beginning to walk!!
All very exciting!!! lol.

I'm due in July...gonna be absolutely soaked in sweat... (sorry for the graphics....lol)

[nat_84]

OBonio....

At the most there are 3 people that work in my office..incl the big boss man (except Wednesday when a part timer comes in - who has worked here for nearly 10 years).

They need someone stable and having 3 part timers here - i just cant see my boss wanting that.

Its extremely unfortunate but i understand.

[OBonio]

Hehe. July is great for birthday parties though :o) Getting all excited for you now :o) The first smile was the best one for me. I was at work when little OBonio started walking though :o(.

[OBonio]

i just cant see my boss wanting that.

Have you asked him? I'm sure he realises the legalities of employment law with regard to maternity leave. You have more bargaining power than you think.

[nat_84]

Well this is a boss that told me to consider Adoption (he was adopted himself) when i told him i was pregnant and that there were plenty of "middle-class couples that can't have kids...".

He's not exactly the voice of reason....!

I will suggest that i want part-time work but i can't see it happening.

On the positive side, my work lacks activity and has the potential to make an individual brain dead - so it might not be such a bad thing..!

[OBonio]

He sounds like a nightmare but the law is the law. Apparently there are exceptions for small companies, but please don't take things lying down. Gen up on what you can expect then arrange to speak to him about your future at the company.

This may help :

http://www.askbaby.com/topic/returning-to-work .htm

[nat_84]

Thanks for your help and the link Obonio.

I will do my upmost to try and work part-time here but if all fails i'll have a new work place and new start to look forward to! x

[OBonio]

Well, good luck whatever happens! I'm sure things will work out for the best in the long run.