Can we afford to have a baby?

Derivative

Carl31 wrote: »

I disagree with what many say, You can always afford a baby, its whether you want to thats the difference

Although i would never advocate it, there’s plenty of single parents out there raising children with nothing, no job, no savings

You have to warp the definition of affordability pretty heavily to accept the first statement though.

Essentially, it's whether you want others to [pay for your children] that makes the difference.

As far as I can see, most families choose either to ignore the fact that they are subsidised, or do not care. Which is fair enough, but it's not something everyone can do.

I could afford a 6 bed in Central London - if I managed to get Housing Benefit to pay for it. I don't think that is sensible usage of the term.

Gillyx

dreamsicle wrote: »

That is fair enough, tbh that's the response I was expecting to get from everyone. I know our wages are not great, it's just frustrating that there are such a lack of jobs out there atm.

Thanks Gilly (sorry can't work out how to multi-quote!), my employers like to give their employees as little as they can legally get away with, so I'm 99% sure they will not offer any maternity benefits and it will be SMP.

Well you could legally take your maternity and then decide whether to go back to work or not

I really do echo what others have said though, if it's what you want, go for it. It doesn't seem like in 4/5 years down the line you will be in a different situation, all you will be is older and it may or may not be harder to conceive.

As much as my baby was a surprise I wouldn't change anything for the world now, and I just can't wait to meet him.

an9i77

OP if you are on statutory maternity pay then you can take the maternity leave and then decide at the end whether you want to go back. You'd be best to tell your employer you're planning on coming back (this doesn't commit you!) and then you would give notice towards the end of your maternity leave (as much notice as you would give if not on maternity leave) so for example if you are on a month's notice and you want to get the pay up to week 39, tell them a month before this date. It only gets a bit sticky for certain employers, such as the NHS, who give enhanced maternity pay on the condition that the employee returns to work for a certain period of time (I think it's three months). Although there's nothing to stop people just coming back for three months in that situation, and many do.

an9i77

PS I've just had a baby boy and he's the best thing in the world, he brings us so much joy, so if you really want to have a baby don't delay too long!

HRV

do keep inyour mind you might conceive straight away- we thought it would take a few months but no low and behold 1st month (the beginning of) pregnant- WITH TWINS:eek: so the money we thought we'd save went out the window :-) Good luck with it you sound like ul be fine x