Our attempt at being MF!!

CathT

Iris_Blue wrote: »

Cath when you said your TCs will go up in October you didn't mean because of having the baby did you? Not being nosey but not sure if you know that you don't get TCs for babies under 1 now. I'm not sure when you're due but presume its around that time.

Well done on the OPs!

Yes I did think that Iris. I just thought the changes meant that the higher rate is no longer paid when child is under one iykwim. Does that mean I get no tax credits for baby number 2?
Confused :think:

Iris_Blue

You'll get Tcs because you have a new addition but you won't get the extra whatever it was. I didn't want you to rely on it then find out that you don't get it any more. I'm glad you knew.

I haven't missed it TBH but then again I've had a lot of change of circs going on. My aim is to try and get by without it...but we'll see!

pammyj74

well done on extra wages, its worth it when pay day comes but not at the time of doing the extra work!

CathT

I think it used to be around double payments for the first year didn't it? I just used the calculator as if baby was here and that was the figure it gave me so fingers crossed! They have stopped a few benefits haven't they but I guess anything we get is a bonus. Ours may stop completely in a couple of years anyway so best get rid of this mortgage in the meantime.

Wii fit being collected in 10 mins, if only that was all the decluttering I needed to do! Problem is I have filled the playroom with my new baby purchases!

CathT

Have got myself a bit stressed this afternoon about how I am going to manage childcare when I return from Maternity leave. Any working mummies got any solutions?

Situation is this:
DD will be nearly 4 when I return to work and start school nursery (mornings or afternoons) that September. I have no idea how I will get her back and to and if I need to keep private nursery on. I either work 7.30-1.30 or 1.30-8 and DH works 8-4 ish. I know some nurseries offer nursery plus but not sure if our chosen one do.

How on earth do working families get around this problem????

Also nearly had a problem with the Wii board sale as it wasn't the game she thought it was but was happy to keep it - she was just double checking - phew!

sarahevie

I think the childcare is a bit of a nightmare, friends of mine have said it is actually worse when they are at school - as then there's the hols, 9-3 term time to contend with, at least in private nursery they are there all day.

CathT

sarahevie wrote: »

I think the childcare is a bit of a nightmare, friends of mine have said it is actually worse when they are at school - as then there's the hols, 9-3 term time to contend with, at least in private nursery they are there all day.

This is partly what is stressing me out. We have decided that when I go back to work in June after maternity leave DD will go to a childminder once she starts school nursery in the September. It is the ferrying back and to I am not around for. Looked online and was reminded that a friend of DH's friend and partner are childminders and they were on the site. They live near us too and tbh DH has been recommending them for a while. Childminders are a lot cheaper than nurseries too!

I am much less stressed now even after losing connection on TCB after getting halfway through a survey!

My problem is I am a planner and a worrier but it's traits like that which spur you on to be MF

Lois_E

Childcare is a total and unmitigated nightmare for primary school kids. Even when you think you have it sorted, there are always emergencies cropping up at short notice. The kids are ill, or the childminder is ill, or goes on holiday, or you have to do something on a different day from usual, or something.

The teacher who has the desk next to mine in the workroom at school just hands her kids over to her mum whenever these things happen. I am soooo jealous of that.

Sorry for moaning.

sarahevie

It's one of the main reasons I'm a SAHM as my parents live over an hour away and still work 3/4 days a week, they are only 52 so a way off retirement age.

I think that the juggling would be too much, plus no one ever wants to look after my DD2 as her lung condition scares them. My sister lives in the same city as me, and mum asked her today if she fancied babysitting and it was a flat out refusal

pammyj74

Being on my own and not near family I too am one of those jealous mums of friends who have nanny to look after kids willy nilly. They dont know how lucky they are.
I actually found a holiday club that was cheaper than the childminder I was using and they also had loads of kids to play with and you dont have the possibility of childminder being ill etc.
I am lucky that I only work 4 days (was 5 but now worked over 4) so if ever my kids are ill one day I can just swap my day off or work 5 days the following week. I am lucky that my work basically let me do what hours I want within reason.
When I did use the childminder she would take the children to school/nursery when they were aged 3 and 4 and got free places but she charged me for it (time and petrol)
I would work the early shift if it were me. Are they the only hours you can possibly do? Would they not let you do an hour later?