Could I be doing more?

EssexHebridean · 18 April 2017 at 11:45AM

ReadingTim wrote: »

You earn £920 per month, but childcare costs £1,000. You'd be £80 per month better off if you stopped working and looked after the children full time.

(unless this impacts benefits - does it?)

It's not always this easy Tim - sometimes it's necessary to maintain the presence in the workplace if a career path depends on it - taking a break can lead to women needing to effectively "start again" when they return once the children are at school. Another point is that being a full-time Mum isn't for everyone - being someone other than "X & Y's Mum" for 8 hours a day can give a benefit that outweighs the childcare costs.

enthusiasticsaver · 18 April 2017 at 11:58AM

ReadingTim wrote: »

You earn £920 per month, but childcare costs £1,000. You'd be £80 per month better off if you stopped working and looked after the children full time.

(unless this impacts benefits - does it?)

It will impact on benefits. Most of the benefits the OP receives will be for help with childcare costs probably by way of tax credits. I would expect around £550 of the benefits to be towards help in childcare so the OP only pays around £450 out of that £1000. The rest of the benefits are probably child benefit which she would get regardless of whether or not she works.

As EH says there are other benefits to working, some of which are to maintain a career presence, to provide mental stimulation and social contact a job provides, eventually the childcare costs will decrease and cease as the child gets older.

ReadingTim · 18 April 2017 at 1:28PM

EssexHebridean wrote: »

It's not always this easy Tim - sometimes it's necessary to maintain the presence in the workplace if a career path depends on it - taking a break can lead to women needing to effectively "start again" when they return once the children are at school. Another point is that being a full-time Mum isn't for everyone - being someone other than "X & Y's Mum" for 8 hours a day can give a benefit that outweighs the childcare costs.

I'm not suggesting it is always easy, but given the OP asked "could I be doing more", then on paper it's a possibility. However, as someone else mentioned, if the benefits come in the form of tax credits, it might not work in practise. It is however, a lifestyle choice, not an economic necessity.

EssexHebridean · 18 April 2017 at 2:40PM

ReadingTim wrote: »

I'm not suggesting it is always easy, but given the OP asked "could I be doing more", then on paper it's a possibility. However, as someone else mentioned, if the benefits come in the form of tax credits, it might not work in practise. It is however, a lifestyle choice, not an economic necessity.

Having children, full stop, is a lifestyle choice.

yvonne_alan_joshua · 18 April 2017 at 7:55PM

Just a thought but can you get childcare vouchers through yours and you partners work this saves the NI

Nikki182 · 20 April 2017 at 7:30AM

Definitely wouldn't be better off not working as we would not receive any benefits other than the child benefit. So my income would then be £135 a month. As it stands by paying out 1000 and receiving 550 in tax credits I earn a lot more!

Could I be doing more?

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