Don't want to send my wife back to work after baby

tsstss7

Legally your wife is entitled to take up to a year maternity leave and continues to accrue holiday leave during her time away (which can be lost if not taken so its a good idea to take it before starting maternity leave sometimes). After that she can decide to not return if she wishes and wont usually have to pay back maternity pay so its probably in your best interests to defer this decision until it must be made.

By then anything could have happened withthe benefits system the way things are going so you may need to rethink or juggle schedules to enable your wife to work and not need childcare. Personally I have decided to look for work that starts from around 5pm (ie an evening shift) so that if I need any child care at all it would be minimal both to save on costs and disruption to my children (youngest 3mths) - still looking though :-)

Sixer

You will receive Child Benefit of approx £20 per week. You will also be eligible to claim tax credits, but this will depend on your income. Maximum Child Tax Credit is approx £60 per week, but you'll be able to work out what you'd get by using the Turn 2 Us link above.

It may be that your wife could do some flexible, home-based work at her own (and baby's) convenience, which would be the best of both worlds. How about mystery shopping? Or other opportunities you can find by a good read of the Up Your Income board. There's a long thread on there about Lionbridge, which is something to do with internet research, for example. And another for Optimum Contract, where you call people and ask them to answer a survey. Can't speak for how good any of these are personally, but read the threads.

whitewing

I know an office manager who has taken maternity leave and become a childminder to be at home for her new family.

And a lady who was a childminder for 20 years to bring up her family, who has spent the last year working fulltime across the country selling advertising.

May be worth looking into that.

LadyMorticia

What if your wife doesn't want to stay at home?

I'm not saying it's the same for your wife as everyone is different, but some women like the independence of going out to work when they have kids.

It doesn't always have to be the wife that stays at home.

skintandscared_2

The working mums at our place love the time they have to speak to other adults. Your wife may actually want that back after a year of full-on baby stuff. It's her needs that matter.

If your wife CHOOSES to stay at home, for the sake of the family I'd agree with cutting back on ALL non-essentials and doing without the holidays/flash cars/Sky TV, etc, instead of you working your socks off to make up the salary shortfall. Your kids would rather have you there than the extra money.

dave030445

All of you that asks what his wife thinks. Dont you think he has asked her. I would not of thought he would be on here asking what benefits he can get without talking it through with his wife.

skintandscared_2

dave030445 wrote: »

All of you that asks what his wife thinks. Dont you think he has asked her. I would not of thought he would be on here asking what benefits he can get without talking it through with his wife.

He may well have. But his post specifically says "My lovely wife is due to give birth to our first child (boy) in December. She'll more than likely take the 9 months with maternity, but I want her to have more."

She may well want to take more time off. It's her choice. But until she's been stuck at home for a year she's unlikely to know is she?

LadyMorticia

dave030445 wrote: »

All of you that asks what his wife thinks. Dont you think he has asked her. I would not of thought he would be on here asking what benefits he can get without talking it through with his wife.

You'd be surprised actually.

Bennifred

dave030445 wrote: »

All of you that asks what his wife thinks. Dont you think he has asked her. I would not of thought he would be on here asking what benefits he can get without talking it through with his wife.

One would hope not, but the way the title is worded "SEND my wife etc" looks a bit dictatorial.....

gratefulforhelp_2

Congratulations!

Have you factored in chilcare costs? If avoiding those, the benefits of working will probably seem much less.

Have a read of "The tightwad Gazette" which is a little dated and American, but the premise of the author is that more people can do with a second income that think they can.

Also remember she will need alternative pension provision.