MSE Pregnancy Club 21

Flower08

On the subject of paternity pay I have just worked it out and I dont think OH will even be entitled to it so he will have to use his holiday. Because he started a new job in January I dont think he will meet the qualifying requirements :mad:

Apricot - I completely agree with you there, but dont get me started on one of those rants, you'll never shut me up :rotfl:

Alfalfa

bella2121 wrote: »

Alfalfa - once your in labour nothing will embarrass you, thinking about it you'll never be embarrassed about anything again! I used to be terrible, I was so bad before I had LO I wouldnt go and buy sanitary towels myself! but since having LO i'm not bothered about nothing talking of pooping, my friend did when she was in labour she didnt know til her OH told her like a week later he said the midwife just scooped it up and didnt bat an eyelid so dont worry and again good luck xx

Major labour vibes to all the boldies! there are loads of you! lol xxxx

Just saw this bella2121 and it made me giggle! Glad you've got over your embarassment at buying sanitary towels!:D

I've told OH that under no circumstance do I want to know if I poo. If it happens we'll just NEVER talk about it! I'm not a prude, he's seen me in some pretty terrible (usually alcohol induced!) states but I think that would be crossing the line!

Lirin

Forumgrazer- gorgeous pic, I'm sure it made you glow inside!

On the subject of benefits/credits/allowances- will the midwife tell me about those/where to claim etc, as well when I go?

galvanizersbaby

Apricot wrote: »

I take it that means I won't be able to claim the £500 grant either? It really annoys me actually, without turning this into a huge benefits debate, because we both work we get sweet f.a and will struggle whilst Im on ML! I should have just quit work when I found out I was pregnant and got my rent & council tax paid and I would be in a much better position!

Rant over.

lol! - you rant away.

We are ok in that we won't struggle while I'm on maternity leave as I work for a big company on a good salary (have done now for over 20 years ) and OH works in the city for another large company so while has to leave house at an ungodly hour and not returning home till late - the financial benefits are worthwhile for us.

When myself and my ex husband split up (DS and DD were 3 years old and 18 months at the time) there were loads of people that were shocked that I stayed in my job - they thought I should just jack it in and live on benefits - I was quite surprised really but guess that's the way some people think.

You will get child benefit (though can't remember how much that is for one child now?) and hopefully you should be entitled to some tax credits? - are you planning on going back to work after your maternity leave Apricot? x

galvanizersbaby

Lirin wrote: »

Forumgrazer- gorgeous pic, I'm sure it made you glow inside!

On the subject of benefits/credits/allowances- will the midwife tell me about those/where to claim etc, as well when I go?[/QUOTE]

I was given a booklet on Finances at one of my early appointments at the hospital I think.

Otherwise I would look on the Directgov website or put your details in to entitled to website.

pigpen

child benefit is just over £20 for the first child now..

galvanizersbaby

pigpen wrote: »

child benefit is just over £20 for the first child now..

Thats per week isn't it?

I get about 132 for two child paid in to my account monthly I think and I know the amount for first child is higher.

Apricot

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

lol! - you rant away.

We are ok in that we won't struggle while I'm on maternity leave as I work for a big company on a good salary (have done now for over 20 years ) and OH works in the city for another large company so while has to leave house at an ungodly hour and not returning home till late - the financial benefits are worthwhile for us.

When myself and my ex husband split up (DS and DD were 3 years old and 18 months at the time) there were loads of people that were shocked that I stayed in my job - they thought I should just jack it in and live on benefits - I was quite surprised really but guess that's the way some people think.

You will get child benefit (though can't remember how much that is for one child now?) and hopefully you should be entitled to some tax credits? - are you planning on going back to work after your maternity leave Apricot? x

I think it's £20 a week child benefit for the first child.
I have to go back to work - no ifs or buts about it but Im hoping to work somewhere different to where I am at the moment and part time if we can manage it. My employer only pays SMP so I wouldn't have to pay anything back if I decided not to come back after ML.

The entitledto website says I am entitled to £0 tax credits (working & child) which is a pain. We will manage but I will be taking home less than half of my normal wage so it will be a struggle.

I just get annoyed as so many of my friends even are telling me not to go back to work etc. - one of OH's relatives suggest I move out of our house and pretend Im a single mum so they give me a council house!:mad: I'd rather struggle than cheat the system but it just annoys me that so many people do it!

Puzzledbubbles

Afternoon Ladies

Alfalfa good luck today!!!

Boldies hope you are all well.

Congrats on39 weeks Vroom and Wendz

Hope everyone else is well.

I have major fish envy lol, we have a 60L tank with black phantoms, male guppies and coydras (sp?) which we got last year and loveeeee them, but i would so love a bigger tank - we do a 25% change every week and filter change every 5 weeks which seems to do them well - we were total novices before hand and have been having the water tested at our local pets at home and they always say we have the lowest nitrate levels they see and the tank water is in really good condition Makes me think we could cope with a bigger one when LO is here lol

Paternity leave OH may not be able to have the first 2 weeks off as one of his team is also due around the same time as us and so that means as manager he would have to be in the office but that said he can save it and take it a little later (i think its 8 weeks they have to take it but not sure) anyways, he has decided to take 1 week paternity and 1 week as holiday which is a nice compromise money wise - we couldnt afford the 2 weeks expecially since it will be not long til Christmas then!

That said, our plan is for me to have 2 lovely years off work when LO arrives, cannot wait! I know how lucky i am and OH and i have agreed that savings and a strict budget will get us through - although we have also agreed that if at anypoint we look like we might be heading towards difficulty i will get a job asap.

18+3 for me today and all is right with the world (and the every expanding wasit line which everyone is now noticing and commenting on)

Hope everyone has a good afternoon

Puzzled

x

vroombroom

same as me Apricot - people have suggested OH move out for a while:eek::eek: what a joke!


I am still applying for the Surestart maternity grant - they can only say no!

We got our tax credit form today - £11.36 a week between us. Going to call them and cancel it x


sucks sometimes being honest and hardworking?