Shoud SAHMs be paid?

snoozer

I hope the board guides don't move this because I think it's more relevant to OSers than most other forums.

This stems from an article in the Daily Telegraph saying that almost all single mothers and a lot of mothers with partners are better off not working because of tax credits and other benefits. This was a portrayed as a bad thing but I don't see it that way and I also don't know how true it is.

I think a lot of mothers would like to stay at home with their children but can't afford to and this is a pity.

Should women be given a salary for looking after their children if they wanted to?

cruella_de_vile

Speaking as a SAHM I wholeheartely agree that we should be paid :j

Don't think it would ever happen though

shellsuit

Lone parents ~ No

They can claim benefits as they are a lone parent so why would/should they need a salary?

SAHM with a partner who works ~ Yes, a small payment to help with the costs of bringing up a child/children would benefit the parents.

snoozer

Sorry about the horrible typo in the title and I can't edit it!

moggins

I couldn't afford to go back to work! Well I probably could but we sat down and worked all the figures out last year as I thought I should make the effort as DD2 has been at school for over a year. We would be £300 per year better off, I am not working for £300 a year.

I don't know about getting paid but surely if they can give money for nursery fees so mothers can go back to work then they can give a small amount for mothers to stay home? Some money that I could call my own would be nice

squeaky

This one is relevant to everybody who is a parent, not just Old Style, so I'm going to move it across to the Families Board where I'm sure that plenty of people will find it of great interest.

nearlyrich

Speaking as a fulltime worker and a mum, who do you think should fund these salaries? It's a lifestyle choice to stay at home with young children and it's a lifestyle choice to go out to work, some people think they have no choice but others in similar circumstances manage to do what they prefer.

I am not judging anyone or saying there is a right or wrong way to do things but the money for extra benefits for SAHM with working partners has to come from somewhere and I am interested to know where you think it should come from?

seven-day-weekend

I take the point made by nearlyrich about taxpayers' money.

However, it seems ridiculous to me for the Government to pay money to working parents so they can use it to pay someone else to look after their children.

In other words, I think SAHPs should get the same childcare allowances as working parents. They could then use the money as they see fit.

lebly

speaking as a stay at home mum with no benefits coming in and then having two part time jobs at the weekend - NO!

I did not have my children so that I could be paid to look after them. I did it for the enjoyment, the love etc etc. We stuggle everyday with money but I am happy just to have the nursery payments funded (not getting tax credits owing to thier c up!) tax credits would make a difference and make life easier and so would being paid to look after them. The fact I stay at home was in some ways forced as I cannot afford childcare but I am glad I do and I would not like to be paid for looking after my children. It was my choice to have children so why should anyone pay me to look after them!

Sounds like another easy way to discourage cares of hildren from getting off their backsides and getting a job when the children go to school. Sorry if that offends!

loopy-loo73

I agree with nearlyrich - it's a lifestyle choice, a bit like not getting a job and claiming benefits ...

I have worked full time since DD was 3months old. I then left my ex & was told by my solicitor to stop working & claim benefits as would be better off :eek: i don't think so ... i carried on working as i didnt want my DD growing up thinking ok to sponge as thats all my ex did.

DD now 10 and my OH & I are finally in a position to reduce my working hours. I have just started working termtime only & think she appreciates it more as not always had that time

I don't think she is any worse off that children who have a SAHM, just different. My parents both worked when i was growing up and all it did to me was make me think i should be working for things i wanted not sitting on my ar*e all day!

Please don't think i am having a go at any mums who do stay at home with their kids it is one of the hardest jobs going. If we'd had the money when DD was a baby i might have done the same (at least till she went to school as you dont get the time twice). But why should they get paid ? And more to the point why should the taxes of working mums go up to pay for it ....

cupid_s

I think if you get to stay at home with your children you're incredibly lucky. We are currently saving like crazy to pay off our mortgage so I can afford to take off as much time as possible when I have kids. If I am staying at home I expect that as a family we will have to go without an awful lot to be able to afford to do this and I wont mind too much. It's my choice. Why should I expect to be paid for doing something which I don't have to do, but I want to?