jesus we are in a mess help!

SingleSue

As a single parent with limited income, treats can be done without breaking the bank..it just takes a little investigation and planning.

Are you near to a beach? If so, a day out to the seaside is cheap but fun for kiddies, especially little ones.

Any duck ponds near by? Feeding the ducks is enjoyed by children and adults alike (my children are now too old to enjoy this but do it to humour their old mum) just a few bits of stale bread is needed.

Any pretty villages near you with nice walks? We visit our local ferry where the children can sit on the jetty and go crabbing and then afterwards we walk along looking at the different boats.

A library near you? Spend an afternoon in the childrens section reading the books to them and showing them the pictures if young...even put on silly voices to bring it alive. Not only very cheap to do but also means spending quality time with them and very educational.

Are they boys or girls? I have boys and we have spent many a fun afternoon building a den in the front room using some kitchen chairs, a quilt cover or sheet and then having naughty snacks (a rare treat of crisps or choccie). If you have girls who would prefer to do girly things, maybe a dress up afternoon where mum joins in too.

Get some paints in.......they are very reasonable and again, it can be very educational and fun for the little ones (and adults!) to do.

With children, it's more to do with quality time rather than quality money....they appreciate the time and attention a parent spends with them more than how much is spent and can be very rewarding in years to come.

Deep_In_Debt

I agree with SingleSue - the post has reminded me of the things used to do as a child.

Myself and my brother used to love making dens in the living room with old sheets and chairs and then sit and play all afternoon in the den. We used to make camps in the garden too - an old dust sheet or two, and a bit of imagination!

Also if you are near a beach - a great day out. We used to love rock pooling and mum and dad used to get books from the library relating to that sort of thing so we could identify what we saw, write it down and then draw it when we got home. We loved it!

And I agree also that it's more spending time with your children and not spending money.

Great post SS!

Lurker1972

A surrogate? wow, in my book you definatley deserve one of these....
:A

My mum once said to me that she regretted not having more money to treat me with when I was younger. She was the one that noticed what other families had or did, not me - they went to McDonalds, we had picnics in parks. I don't feel I miss out at all & hope that if we ever have children, we'll be able to enjoy them & build memories that cost very little too, just like my parents did with me.

not meant as lecture, I wish you all the luck in the world with your journey

scared1

Have you claimed you Health in Pregnancy grant £190 which you can get when you are 25 weeks from your midwife. Everybody gets it and its new only since April.

There is a means tested surestart grant of £500 that you can claim later on. From about 32 weeks...form from job centre plus or download from their website.

Pick up a healthy eating leaflet from your midwife and you get vouchers for free milk, fruit and veg and vitamin pills...whilst you are pregnant and after.

If you pay for dentist/prescription make sure you ask you midwife/gp for an FW8 form which entitles you to free whilst pregnant and for 12 months after.

Are you claiming statutory maternity pay which you can get for part of your pregnancy and for 9 months after?

Ask your midwife for the new folder the government have just released for financial planning whilst pregnant. Its full of tips.

Hope this helps.

gargrave50

f*cked wrote: »

lol yes - im a surrogate - unpaid before you jump on that one! lol

might sound daft but would it be worth getting a loan for 17000 to pay it all off to just have one payment???

Would you get a loan if you haven't paid anything to any of your debts for over 1 year?:eek:

gargrave50

scared1 wrote: »

Have you claimed you Health in Pregnancy grant £190 which you can get when you are 25 weeks from your midwife. Everybody gets it and its new only since April.

There is a means tested surestart grant of £500 that you can claim later on. From about 32 weeks...form from job centre plus or download from their website.

Pick up a healthy eating leaflet from your midwife and you get vouchers for free milk, fruit and veg and vitamin pills...whilst you are pregnant and after.

If you pay for dentist/prescription make sure you ask you midwife/gp for an FW8 form which entitles you to free whilst pregnant and for 12 months after.

Are you claiming statutory maternity pay which you can get for part of your pregnancy and for 9 months after?

Ask your midwife for the new folder the government have just released for financial planning whilst pregnant. Its full of tips.

Hope this helps.

I'm a midwife. Just wanted to let you know you would get sure start £500 each baby. I'm not sure how it would go with surrogacy as the grant is aimed to buy items for babies arrival e.g. pram, cot etc. But worth asking about.