Mums - How Do You Make it Worth It to Work?

Kaz2904

I worked nights when mine were little. When DD was born, I was on day shifts and she went to a childminder. Then when I had DS 2 years later, I had 6 months mat leave. They went to the childminder together when I went back to work and I found myself being put on night shifts most of the time. SiL then started looking after the kids (DH's mad idea as they lost their tax credits) for less than the childminder (although the same cost to us). She then decided a couple of months later that she wanted double the money as she could get that amount in Asda so I went to see my boss and explained what had happened. There was no way we could afford to pay double to SiL as she wasn't registered so we couldn't claim ctc for her. My boss agreed to put me on permanent nights and I just struggled along like so many of us did/do with no sleep. Sleeping when the kids do etc. we all counted down the days until our littlest started preschool and then school .
I'm still on nights now with them being 11 and 9 but I think I will be able to get back not day shifts soon. At least when DS starts secondary so 2 years or so but I would still worry about what to do for childcare during summer holidays.

momofmonster

For myself it has been really tough but i have made it work. Originally i was the main earner and my partner stayed at home with our son. He has since become my ex-partner and I wanted to stay at work.

So i have a childminder who has my child in the mornings from 730, then drops him off at pre school at 1230, then my mom picks him up which saves on childcare costs on the afternoon. I don't usually get home until 7 which is a horribly long day but I am currently waiting on a laptop from work so i can work at home a bit more.

Financially i have found I'm better off now than when my ex lived here. I pay £400 a month to the childcare but the tax credits i recieve cover most of it. On the other hand i have one less mouth to feed and he would take money out to pay for things like cigarettes and wacky baccy and alcohol without my knowing. He would spend so much money every month when i had told him we were on a budget - he was useless but that's another topic!!

I think everybody has different situations and everyone needs to find what works for them. For me this works!

Tish_P

I mention this every time this comes up but it's very important: your job is earning you more than your take-home pay. It's earning you potential propotion, pay increments, pension contributions and an unbroken CV.

Even if you spent your whole income on childcare at first, you would probably end up in a far better financial position when the kids were grown compared to having to get back onto the career ladder after several years out.

OK, this does not apply to all jobs, and there are obviously many more considerations than financial in that kind of decision - quality of care and quality of life are important - and people should do what's right for them. But it bothers me that people seem to only consider their take-home pay, and ignore the fact that many jobs are a long term investment in their own right.

tattycath

Tish_P wrote: »

I mention this every time this comes up but it's very important: your job is earning you more than your take-home pay. It's earning you potential propotion, pay increments, pension contributions and an unbroken CV.

Even if you spent your whole income on childcare at first, you would probably end up in a far better financial position when the kids were grown compared to having to get back onto the career ladder after several years out.

OK, this does not apply to all jobs, and there are obviously many more considerations than financial in that kind of decision - quality of care and quality of life are important - and people should do what's right for them. But it bothers me that people seem to only consider their take-home pay, and ignore the fact that many jobs are a long term investment in their own right.

This is so true.
I also like to keep active and keep the grey matter active. I think I'd go insane if i didn't either work or have something else to occupy my mind too.

cazziebo

rachbc wrote: »

It worked forme but it was tough for the first 2 years - but as my pay has improved and my childcare costs have decreased its got better.
!

My experience too. It probably wasn't that worth it in the first few years. I was a single parent so only wage earner. Once I'd paid childcare (more than maintenance payments), paid the bills, mortgage, commuting etc I didn't have anything left and existed on debt :eek:

However, within about five years, my salary had risen considerably, I was quite marketable because of experience and I was able to be quite assertive about working hours, holidays etc. I managed to land a dream job, largely based at home on a salary I could hardly have dreamt of. I was very lucky having a brilliant childminder.

I think you have to look past the first few years. The longer you're out of the jobs market, the harder it is to get back in, and even harder to command as good a salary. I did take quite a significant cut to get back to work but I was out of the market for three years. Some friends of mine - well qualified, capable people - are looking at NMW jobs because they are finding it impossible to get any "career" jobs after 10+ years in unpaid work.

Sadly, you also have to plan for the "what if". What happens if the first wage disappears because of redundancy, ill health, divorce.. The safety net is shrinking

(in other words- what Tish P said!)

peachyprice

When my boys were little I worked 2 evenings and Saturday when my OH was home to look after them, I actually really enjoyed it, it gave me time to be be, not someone's mum.

VICSH

For me the first few months back were the hardest DS was 9 months and husband works over 50 hours a week + 2 hour commute each way, I chose to come back 4 days a week which I discussed at length wiht my boss and listened to his needs so he felt happy with what I could provide.

I jsut want to say it does get easier, now my son is receiving his free 15 hours entitlement my childcosts have reduced and we are able to save money that we previously hadnt had.
Also I should add when I went back to work my office was a 45 minute drive from my house each way, we then moved offices to a 15 minute commute round trip so I have definately gained as my petrol has reduced, and also the amount i had to pay my childminder due to reduction in hours.
It is really hard, I certainly found when I went back to work I jsut broke even but will a payrise annually, and less petrol and now reduction due to childcare vouchers it has become a little easier..I am not sure how long I could have stuck it out if my office hadnt move though.
Also I love my job and it is a 1:1 job wiht my boss who I know very well and I wouldnt feel confident in finding another one, I think what I am trying to say if you like your job and your see progress or stability try and weather the storm of the bad times...

pesky85

Tish_P wrote: »

I mention this every time this comes up but it's very important: your job is earning you more than your take-home pay. It's earning you potential propotion, pay increments, pension contributions and an unbroken CV.

Even if you spent your whole income on childcare at first, you would probably end up in a far better financial position when the kids were grown compared to having to get back onto the career ladder after several years out.

OK, this does not apply to all jobs, and there are obviously many more considerations than financial in that kind of decision - quality of care and quality of life are important - and people should do what's right for them. But it bothers me that people seem to only consider their take-home pay, and ignore the fact that many jobs are a long term investment in their own right.

This is what I kept trying to tell myself before I finally left work and decided to stay at home with my children!! It's actually what kept me a full time working mother as long as it did - the maths didn't make sense from the start and I knew this, but I had my long term career to think of.

It didn't work out in the end, I left my full time job due to problems I had with childcare. I tried again with different childcare, and part time, but I hated the job role I was given and would dread going into work every morning. I also suffered MORE childcare problems lol.

It would have to take a job I loved and very good childcare to take me back to work full time now, quite a rarity!

I'm using this time to change careers, I'm in the middle of an OU degree and should be finished by the time my youngest starts school.

spendingmad

I became a mumtrepreneur! I have 3 small jobs/businesses none of which are going to make me a millionaire but what with childcare savings/flexibility of working for yourself/tax advantages etc I would have to earn a standard wage much higher than I would be able to get!

I do miss the interaction within an office environment and a do spend alot of time alone (working from home) but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

I also did evening work (waitressing) 3 nights a week as pocket money when I first gave up my full time job.

moomoomama27

It works really well if you can get a job that fits round Your partners hours! I've worked since my third child was 18 months old and I just work hours that means we don't have to find/ pay childcare!

I work early morning shifts, and finish my lunchtime, so still have lots f amily time!