HELP 2 babies in 14 mnths now cant return to work what can i claim ?

Taadaa

Yes, you should return to work in Sept for a couple of weeks and go on mat leave again. Speak to someone from the website suggested to work out what you need to do.

jellyhead

USM wrote: »

families don't consider the viability of having children and the impact on their financial situation because we have a very generous welfare system.

Fair enough, but this is a family where both parents work, and they are only having 2 children, not a dozen. The timing isn't what they expected, that's all. I saw on here last week that there are at least 190 families in Britain who have 10 or more kids and don't work at all. OP is not a scrounger.

shop-to-drop

You can earn around £500 a month in a supermarket doing a couple of night shifts or 4/5 twilights. A bit tough with little ones at home but you can nap when they do and would develop a routine. You would have no childcare costs as O/H is there when you aren't. The staff discount is a big help to the family finances too. Obviously not possible to do this now you are pregnant but a good option to consider for you once baby is born. These type of jobs are rarely advertised so if you decide you'd like to give it a go take a visit to all the supermarkets and speak or leave a message for the night manager.

I'm sure you'll manage you may not even need a second cot your eldest may be ready for a toddler bed/bed by the time the baby is out of a moses basket. Maybe there are options for reducing your regular bills too like could you go interest only on the mortgage for a short time?

Could your OH get a second job for a short while maybe?

Lara44

OP sorry to hear the negative comments. I don't think it's anyone's business how you have spaced your children. Don't feel that you have to justify yourself to them.

Congratulations! :j

clairec79

I had 15 months between my eldest two (and had been back at work a while before I conceived as mat leave was shorter then) - I didn't buy a second cot, as soon as the baby outgrew the moses basket I moved the eldest to a bed and put a stair gate on her bedroom door - never had a problem with it.

BitterAndTwisted

CONGRATULATIONS!

My mother had my sister and I with the same 15 month gap between us. By all accounts it was a bit of a shock but she just got on with it. They were as poor as church mice at the time (mid 50s) but we didn't know that. As far as we were concerned we had a happy childhood, a fun and contented home-life and my sister and I are very, very close and always have been. Thick as thieves, we are.

Don't panic! You have plenty of time to make your plans and get your expenses down, down, down to enable you to have this surprise baby and all be happy, housed and fed. If push comes to shove you might be able to get some evening/night work after your husband returns home once number two is old enough to be left if child-care can't be afforded.

A word of caution and I hate to bring this up but as I'm sure you're aware not every single wonderful pregnancy always progresses to full-term, so don't burn any bridges in your haste to get a plan together.

silvercar

Officially end your maternity leave in July, so that you will be back to work during August when you won't be required to attend, then start the next maternity leave in September. That way you will get a whole lot of maternity leave for baby2.

Lots of advice on teachers maternity rights here, even if not a teacher, it should help on rights when working in a school:

http://www.lge.gov.uk/lge/core/page.do?pageId=119317#contents-2

zzzLazyDaisy

Congratulations OP! My beautiful G'daughters are 11 months apart. DGD1 was planned. GDG2 was conceived while her mum was on the pill. DGD3 was conceived one year later when her (somewhat paranoid!) parents were using both depo injections and condoms! Some things are just meant to be!

I am very sorry about the negative comments that you have received. The simple fact is that child benefit and child tax credits are there for everyone. At 37 you don't have all the time in the world to have more children. You will manage, and things will work out.

Good luck!

Dx

thegirlintheattic

Whilst I agree that the OP was a bit silly not thinking this through - what's done is done.

First thing OP: either find your contract or speak to your HR department and have a look at the maternity rules - depending on dates in all likelihood you will have to return to work for a short time before going off on maternity again. I know where I work you need to have worked a certain number of days prior to going on maternity - so you may need to check if something similar applies.

Whilst on MP your finances should be too stretched, especially if you have all the stuff from the first LO.

Also remember that if you leave your job within 13 weeks of maternity leave you have to repay some of the MP.

Have you considered if you would be better of with OH staying at home and you working more hours (if only 1 extra a day)? Is there any chance of either of you changing career - either to one where one of you is working whilst the other can be home or to one where one of you would be paid more.

ViolaLass

moneysavingfamilycomp wrote: »

children are a gift from god and this one has obviously been sent to us now for a reason.

I'm pleased you're pleased that you're pregnant but the bit I've highlighted is nonsense. You're pregnant for no better or more spiritual a reason than you had unprotected sex.