To work or not to work: That is my question!

OldMotherTucker

Anny wrote: »

!!!!!!...that is one hell of a rant!

"We don't want our children to struggle through bad comprehensive schools like we did. We don't want them growing up in a cold house eating left-over-left-overs or missing school trips. We don't want them to watch me struggle to pay the mortgage as I have done (I'm a mature student)."

I went to a 'bad' comprehensive school that was invaluable in teaching me about 'real life' and I grew up in a cold house (apart from two coal fires) I actually loved the Sunday leftovers of bubble and squeak and sausages on a Monday night and was also quite partial to other leftovers, when jazzed up by our mum. I missed the school trips to Switzerland and France...but adored the family holidays in a caravan at Scarborough...eating corned beef and pickle sandwiches and drinking pop on the beach. I was totally and utterly surrounded in love and care. Our mum worked part-time but was always there when we came home from school and if we were ill she was always there to wrap us in that special care that only a mum can give.

I was also later a mature student...but never felt that gave me the right to 'put down others' which you seem to be struggling with. There are no doubt many taxpayers (on both high and low incomes) 'slogging away' who have paid towards your education to get you to where you now are.

Many parents work...some in low income unskilled jobs and their contribution to society is no less then that of a Doctor or a Solicitor or an Accountant...we all need the other to function and survive.

Joking that your children won't know you is really not funny, and does not bode well for their futures...and will, in my opinion, be far more damaging then the things you write about above that you do not want them to experience.

If seeing very little of your family is your idea of an 'ideal family life' then I doubt many will choose that option, that does not necessarily mean they are 'living off the state', it just means they have different priorities to you and may take other routes to 'better themselves'.

I have no doubt you will be high-earners, but at what price? money is not everything and family life should be. You have not 'arrived' yet and plenty can happen before you and your partner qualify...so being a little more humble would perhaps be wise and would certainly be a good attribute in your new career.

Aww Anny - I'm in love with you!

My bubs have been without central heating for 2 years with no complaints - we all have matching leopard skin fleece onesy's,(apart from my son!!!) hot water bottles and a cat each to keep us warm!

I've only ever taken them camping - a total 'Carry on' fiasco every time but the source of much merry nostalgia 'round the kitchen table as we play cards or do course-work!

As for 'leftovers' - most of our best meals have been based on these - and its soooo damn hard to replicate them!!

I work in a factory - and I pray my children will never have to - but they are getting an education nonetheless . They hear about what I do every day and I listen to them.

I don't work to live or live to work -we live in comparative luxury!

And, thanks to my education, I can pick up up what the state is missing.
People like us don't have 'run of the norm' children!!!

colleensims

bridgemant wrote: »

Can't you read??
I AM WORKING AND PROVIDING FOR MY CHILDREN. Never tell someone they shouldn't have children. That's VERY rude and offensive to a working parent such as myself!

To clarify ,yes, i can read.

Nobody should have children if they cant pay for them! They cost an awful lot of money and if you/anyone can not provide for them, why should other people?

Its very rude and offends me and many others when people think they can spend all day at home while we are at work paying for them.

princessdon

This is your question in a nutshell

To work or not?

but that isn't your question is it? Your question is if I don't work can I claim more in benefits that I currently claim.

As I said earlier - since you give no figures as to your earning, your OH earnings or your childcare no one can say. You may not get anything extra and lose your wages. We can't comment as to whether you will get more state benefits that you and your family current receive if we don't know details.

bridgemant

As much as I understand the point you are trying to make here, I think you should apologise for your earlier remark.

Saying that I shouldn't have children was unnecessary and not a justifiable point, it also has nothing to do with my situation or the original question I raised about Tax Credits.

bridgemant

bridgemant wrote: »

Other families seem to get by without both partners having to work. I just want to know how they do it, or has anyone on here given up work to raise a family?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, any comments are gratefully received?!

This was my question, How do people manage on 1 wage, is it do-able and has anyone experienced giving up work to raise a family and did they regret it.

Nothing to do with what we earn now, only asked if there was another way to get a quote from Tax Credits, not that this was meant to be the main focus of attention.

banner188

colleensims wrote: »

To clarify ,yes, i can read.

Nobody should have children if they cant pay for them! They cost an awful lot of money and if you/anyone can not provide for them, why should other people?

Its very rude and offends me and many others when people think they can spend all day at home while we are at work paying for them.

I think you are looking at it in a much too simplistic light. According to your logic, very few people would be able to have children.
Remember, you are a part of a vast complex economic and social system that has been built on the backs of others over the eons. You think what you get paid is what you really should earn? Great giants of knowledge over hundreds of years have made the system we have today? Why should you be entitled to it? I'll give you an answer, maybe your kid will be the next giant?
The system recognizes that without children there is no future. The money you are required to put back into the system is you paying back for everything you have from the system, including the wage level you may be on.
Someone else's kid might perform a heart transplant on you in later life. If they hadn't had the kid you may have been 50p better off every week, would it be worth it?
It's mind blowing and far more complex than we give credit for.

Murphy_Gooner

colleensims wrote: »

To clarify ,yes, i can read.

Nobody should have children if they cant pay for them! They cost an awful lot of money and if you/anyone can not provide for them, why should other people?

Its very rude and offends me and many others when people think they can spend all day at home while we are at work paying for them.

It offends you? offends you that a parent shouldn't have the right too stay at home and look after their own young children? But no too make you happy you would rather her and husband be at work full time and the rest, not be their for the kids and their kids not see their parents while the parents struggle too put food and clothes on the table and frankly down to the fact we live in a place where is everything is overpriced.

So what i want too know is are you happy enough to take things like health care, state pension, bus pass, winter fuel allowance etc which i may add is paid for by the taxpayer while slating OP for having children she is struggling too provide for? The same children who will be the taxpayers who pay for your needs etc when you get older.
Unless of course your going to provide everything from pension to any potential operations or health care you or someone very close too you may need one day?

Maybe that's what we should do seeing how we seem too live in a selfish world. Maybe people should have too provide everything for themselves like nhs prescriptions which you get cheaper then what they would cost if private.

Murphy_Gooner

banner188 wrote: »

I think you are looking at it in a much too simplistic light. According to your logic, very few people would be able to have children.
Remember, you are a part of a vast complex economic and social system that has been built on the backs of others over the eons. You think what you get paid is what you really should earn? Great giants of knowledge over hundreds of years have made the system we have today? Why should you be entitled to it? I'll give you an answer, maybe your kid will be the next giant?
The system recognizes that without children there is no future. The money you are required to put back into the system is you paying back for everything you have from the system, including the wage level you may be on.
Someone else's kid might perform a heart transplant on you in later life.
It's mind blowing and far more complex than we give credit for.

:T Exactly my point. But seems people are far too quick to bark at people for daring to even think of packing in work as they might be better off or the fact the kids would be in a much better enviroment

princessdon

bridgemant wrote: »

This was my question, How do people manage on 1 wage, is it do-able and has anyone experienced giving up work to raise a family and did they regret it.

Nothing to do with what we earn now, only asked if there was another way to get a quote from Tax Credits, not that this was meant to be the main focus of attention.

Then why post on a benefit board?

Why not on the family board asking if people regret the choice and for advice?

That is why it is relevant what you earn now - you may have to be prepared to get zero extra - or you may get more, how can we possibly advise without information?

Re your question above - No I didn't because I couldn't - I get zero help (not £60 pw) so need to work. I did, however, give up a fantastically paid job for one less well paid that gave me more time with my family, less childcare and more flexability.

Eg I worked 9.15 - 3.00 pm, term time only and took my youngest to work with me, when I worked out I paid more in childcare than I made.

Marisco

bridgemant wrote: »

is it do-able

Only you know that! Get a piece of paper, divide it down the middle, on one side put down all your incomings (minus your income but including CB etc) and in the other put your outgoings. Tot them up, and if your outgoings are larger than your incomings, then you have to keep working or cut down on your outgoings! I can't believe I'm writing this, as it's the obvious way to know if it's doable!!