what lengths would you go to to give your child a SAHM/D?

Idiophreak

Downshifting groceries

not_tonight_josephine wrote: »

OH and I are trying to do all the "cutting down" stuff now, before we have kids, in the hope that we can nearly/completely pay the mortgage off while I am still working, then we should be fairly comfortable on just one wage for a few years. So although we both earn quite good wages, we live a fairly frugal lifestyle and save lots!

That's one I'd definitely do, "ramp" up to the birth with some serious saving for a year or so first.

ella_ella_ella

Downshifting groceries

I would do anything but lose my car or take in a lodger. I love being a SAHM but cant see it being much fun without a car or having a lodger in the house

Im really lucky that my hubby has a really good job and so far we are fine. As Skintchick said, im determined to stay at home until she goes to school, if things become a bit tight I will get a part time evening job or cut down my spending a little

My_Fathers_Daughter

Using up savings

I'm another one who wants to go back to work...in fact I have already done a few days back and Benjamin is only 16 weeks old tomorrow.

I have taken a mortgage break for a few months and will be using our savings to tide us over so I can go back part time initially. I guess I don't mind extending my debt because I don't really have that much or should I say that the debt that we do have is well within our means (normally!!)

MrsE_2

Not everyone has a choice.

My marriage crumbled before my DD was 2 & I had to go back to work (benefits were pathetic 20 years ago). We briefly reconciled but I kept working as I didn't want to put us both dependant on him again. I was right in this because it was all over before she was 4.

RoxieW

I'm lucky at the moment that we dont have to cut down on anything really. However, should we decide to go for a bigger house, then we would need to. Bit of a dilemma really - the big, shiny house and live on baked beans and no hols or the overcrowded house and live on organic steak and 2 hols a year lol.

ella_ella_ella

Downshifting groceries

Interesting that a few people say their CTC covers what they would get working. Dont get me wrong but im just wondered how somebody could get the equivelent of a wage? Is it depending on the amount of children?.....we only receive the Child Benefit of £20 a week

fernliebee

Downshifting groceries

Being a SAHM is very important to our family. I fully understand that some people don't feel it is fulfilling etc but for me it is no.1 priority. The main issue is that my job was looking after children and if I went back then I would have to get somebody to care for DD, while I was caring for other peoples children, and I really wouldn't like that at all. I prefer to be my child's main caregiver.

We have a very low cost life, we have one beat up small car, we have very cheap rent (as any mortgage we got we would only be able to afford to pay interest only so defeats the point IMO) I try to cut back on groceries but still eat very healthily, mostly cook from scratch. My job meant that I have hundreds of ideas on entertaining children for free, so we have a very active but cheap social calendar. We have holidays but camping is more than enough for us. Basically I would be willing to do anything but get a lodger (no room, but would rather downsize if I had a spare room) and take out more debt, we aren't in too much debt only my student debt which obviously I'm not repaying yet as I'm not in work, and my overdraft left from my student days which I am (very) slowly re-paying.

MrsE_2

ella_ella_ella wrote: »

Interesting that a few people say their CTC covers what they would get working. Dont get me wrong but im just wondered how somebody could get the equivelent of a wage? Is it depending on the amount of children?.....we only receive the Child Benefit of £20 a week

Is it even morally right?

ella_ella_ella

Downshifting groceries

MrsE wrote: »

Is it even morally right?

Not sure I follow

milliebear00001

Downshifting groceries

We used to live in the South East, and knew we couldn't have a parent at home full time while there. Sooo, we sold our house, moved 200 miles north and rented in a cheaper (and much more child friendly!) town. I spent five years at home with our children before retraining as a teacher, then my husband and I 'swapped' roles - he gave up work to be at home with our kids and I went back to work in my new career. We used the interest on the money raised through our house sale as part of our income. We will buy again, when either my salary is high enough to afford what we want, or my OH goes back (part time) to work - although we plan to have one of us at home full-time until well past primary age.

Not for everyone, but we felt strongly that we wanted a parent at home full-time, and so far, it's worked well for us.