MSE Pregnancy Club III

Jvic28

ladybirdintheuk wrote: »

jvic - does your work offer child care vouchers?

Also, have you looked at what you will get in the way of working tax credit/child tax credit.

My boyfriends work offer childcare vouchers so that should save a little (very little). We checked the tax credits. It didn't work out to much, and it definately didn't come to anywhere near touching childcare costs.

Krystaltips

MFD... DD is afraid of the dark and has to sleep with a light on... And she started life sleeping in the dark... I don't think it makes any difference really... I've tried switching her light off in the night when we go to bed but she wakes up and puts it back on again... Usually in tears...

Jvic28

r.mac wrote: »

it's a hard balance isn't it? I don't know what you work as but have you looked into what your company offers re: maternity leave and childcare voucher schemes etc?

I just work as an administrator and my work offer the bare minimum they have to as a maternity package and no childacre vouchers. Grumble.

Sami_Bee

r. mac was it the old people? they've been getting me evry day with them I'm a sucker for old people/kids/animals in need!

Ps We have the "thermal blackout roller blind" from argos it was something like £12 as we have a smallish window, the light still comes in a tiny bit around the edge but Chris sleeps fine we just got it as he seemed to think as the sun was up at 4am in the summer he should be too :eek:

Ps its a beige blind and still works fab and I deff recommend the thermal one as it really does help keep the room warmer in winter/cooler in summer.

and no night lights for us but we only got the blackout for Chris's room this summer so until then the lovely [STRIKE]flood[/STRIKE] lights from the train station car park provided a nice glow in all the bed rooms

Jvic28

My_Fathers_Daughter wrote: »

Jvic - I know what you mean about maternity pay. Would you be able to apply for a mortgage break for a few months to help you out? (not very helpful if you are renting I am afraid)

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a sub prime mortgage and there is no give with them at all (especially in these times). It's a variable mortgage and they currently haven't even dropped the interest rate since the announcement from the BofE. Not amused.

My_Fathers_Daughter

Jvic - a childminder works in her house, not yours. My mum was a childminder when I was growing up and I had lots of little brothers and sisters to keep me occupied before and after school. I still keep in touch with some and my mum is godmother to a whole host of them - they really are part of the family.

For this reason I wouldn't entertain a nursery personally - but other people I know wouldn't entertain a minder???

r.mac_2

Jvic - if it makes you feel any better we don't get anything at all either (with the exception of family allowance equivalent which is rising to £20pw I believe).

My_Fathers_Daughter

Krystaltips wrote: »

MFD... DD is afraid of the dark and has to sleep with a light on... And she started life sleeping in the dark... I don't think it makes any difference really... I've tried switching her light off in the night when we go to bed but she wakes up and puts it back on again... Usually in tears...

I am SO glad that I am having an angel child

Watch your horror stories wash over me...(but I might just buy that egg and gloworm after all - thank you :A )

Sami_Bee

Jvic28 wrote: »

I haven't really. I suppose it's always daunting thinking of someone else coming into your home looking after your child. How much do you pay for your childminder if you don't mind me asking?

Childminders don't come to your house you go to theirs your thinking of babysitters/au pairs, My minder was (I'm not working at the mo but I still meet her at a toddler group so Chris doesn't forget her or his friends she still has) she was £25 for a full day and £15 for a half day so I paid £65 per week which was great for me as on my half day I could work 10 - 2 but if I'd used a nursery they would have charged for a full day for this as half days have to be picked up by 1pm usually. also she would have chris on an extra day or something at short notice but you can't do that with a nursery because they would prob be full.

in general round here CM's are £20 - 30 perday and nurseries are £25 - 45 perday,

Jvic28

My boyfriend has spoken to his employer this morning who said they should be able to compress his hours to 4 days a week and he should be able to work from home 1 day a week which helps as we only have to find care for 3 days. If I work every weekend and have my 2 days off in the week thats takes it down to 1 day a week which maybe my mum might do (I don't want to bank on it though as she lives 30 miles away).

I'm sure we'll work it out in the end.