Working mums- does all your income go on childcare?

scottishf

I'm probably going to get slated for this, but I could never understand why people have kids if they pap them off into childcare full time to go out and work.

My husband and I worked opposite hours to ensure that one of us was always there and now that they have grown up have recently gone back to full time work.

As for the comment on the state supporting stay at home mums, I would have no problem paying extra taxes to allow mums/dads to stay at home full time until their children reach school age, then they could get part time jobs.

lynzpower

I think there is somethng to be said for workign full ime outside the home but ONLY IF you gain significant finance from it. To earn 300 a week and pay290 in childcare, is just a joke ( thats what it looks like from where we stand here in London).

I dont think it worth the heartache, the suffering, the tiring organisation, for a tenner. Yes, if you need adult company you could work part time, evenings volunteer somewhere etc, i do agree this is important, but I dont think its more important than your childs attachment and care.

mrsbez_2

I see this has sparked quite a debate. To answer MrsE, as i see it, i may be wrong, when you have children and your family income is less than £52K you are entitled to receive about £500 per year as a tax credit. It varies with how many children you have and your income, but i would say the majority of 'average' working families would be entitled to at least the £500. You are right, maybe i should stated the 'average' family rather than every family.

I think there is differing views on full time childcare, my niece has been in full time childcare since she was 8 months and seems to be doing fine. But i couldn't do this myself, a couple of mornings per week is about all i can manage and only managed this with my daughter when she was 3.

scotsbob

lynzpower wrote: »

I dont think it worth the heartache, the suffering, the tiring organisation, for a tenner. .

To be logical, surely the same argument applies to housing costs, transport costs etc as well as child care.

Why should I bother working, if after transport costs I am only left a tenner?

Why should I bother working if after I pay my rent/mortgage I only have a tenner?

If I'm only going to get a tenner more than I can get from the state then it's not worth the bother. Let the taxpayers keep me.

Moonbeam

Hi DancingButterfly - I think you have also raised an interesting point - I was happy working more hours when my DS was in nursery as they could accomodate those hours and as it was a private nursery I never had to worry about holidays. It's a completely different picture now that I have 2 children to consider and especially since my son has started school. He gets over 16 weeks holiday each year and I just couldn't find the flexibility within paid employment for that kind of holiday entitlement.

I do use a nursery & playroom for my DD, but only for a short time each week so that I can have peace and quiet to either catch up on housework, shopping, excercise and sometimes my jewellery business. She enjoys it and it doesn't cost a lot but the majority of our childcare is split between my hubby and I.

morocha

My daughter is 2 and i have been working part time since she was 7 months old. I love working part time( 2 days) and have a bit of money for myself, my hubby and grandparents look after her the days i work. I could not bear the idea of working full time when she is this little. i agree with many here, if you have a child, you should plan your life around then now, instead of making everything fit in your way. my little one will start nursery next january, and i do not think that i will work full time until she is old enough( at school). My husband and I, haven't got much money, but we manage, i am happy to be able to see her growing every day and not regret one day that i had kids and somebody else enjoyed all that preciuous time.

scotsbob

scottishf wrote: »

I'm probably going to get slated for this, but I could never understand why people have kids if they pap them off into childcare full time to go out and work.

.

Every morning I watch a neighbour's family put their one year old in the car at 7am to get him to the childminder. 6.30 in the evning they bring him home. By the time he is fed it's time for bed.

I don't understand it either. I guess it's because families want everything and want it now.

My father supported his family and my mother stayed at home to care for us. We didn't have car, holidays, modern gadgets. Today it seems families want everything including children because it's their "right" If they can't pay for it, no problem the taxpayers will do it.

alfiemama

But isnt the op looking for something, whilst the children are at school or nursery. She is just looking for something that will fit in around the children.
I stayed at home with both my boys, as it was something I believed in. But when my oldest went to school, he was one of the youngest and it kind of went against him that he only went to nursery 2 half mornings.

What is wrong in trying to find something for yourself once your children are settled. I think good on the op, for wanting to do something to try and help.

lynzpower

scotsbob wrote: »

To be logical, surely the same argument applies to housing costs, transport costs etc as well as child care.

Why should I bother working, if after transport costs I am only left a tenner?

Why should I bother working if after I pay my rent/mortgage I only have a tenner?

If I'm only going to get a tenner more than I can get from the state then it's not worth the bother. Let the taxpayers keep me.

because you and I need children to be reasonably educated and not total sociopaths as we need all the breadwinners we can get to support us in our old age. your argument simply doesnt wash.

scotsbob

lynzpower wrote: »

because you and I need children to be reasonably educated and not total sociopaths as we need all the breadwinners we can get to support us in our old age. your argument simply doesnt wash.

That doesn't address my argument at all, that just sidesteps it.

Why should I work if I only make a tenner more than the taxpayer funding me?

Besides what is this about needing someone to support me in my old age.????

I don't need anyone's support. I certainly don't expect taxpayers to support me.

If I am to undersdtand your argument, it appears to be that the taxpayer should support your children, the taxpayer should support you in old age.

Do you not accept any responsibility to support yourself and your siblings or is it all down to other people?