Help during maternity leave?

Takeaway_Addict

She doesn't have to take 9 months you know....Teamwork and all that if you are going to struggle after 6 months then just take 6

smiales

Just wanted to sympathise. I'm pregnant and we earn similar to you guys and don't have much money each month.

I think there have been a few unhelpful comments made to you on this thread. Not wanting to get into an argument about it but people need to think about what they are saying.

Like you we have never claimed anything from the state and trying to work out what we may be entitled to is really hard. I've tried the benefit calculators but I can't get my head round how to work out how to get a future view of what we may get tax credit wise. I doubt anything.

Yes your gf could go back to work sooner and I know some people do this but on the whole most families I know the mother stays home for the first year. I don't know how you feel but the thought of putting my baby in childcare at 6 months or less scares me to death. I do not want a stranger being paid to look after my baby while I work. It's not forever, its for a tiny period of their life and I don't want to miss that. Plus friends that use childcare post 12 months pay a fortune so how does that help your situation? I doubt we would get any assistance to pay for it would we?? I could be wrong but surely you have to pay full price?

Anyway, if you find much out let me know as I've been searching all evening to see what we might get and I'm none the wiser!

x

smiales

flea72 wrote: »

Why would you live somewhere that isn't easily commutable to your workplace, especial when it doesnt pay that great? Can you not bike. A bus journey of 1hr 45mins, must be no more than 10miles, which is easily bikeable

But as already said, it would be better if your OH returned to work f/t and you took over the childcare, seeing as you are on the lower wage

Work may be easily commutable by car, why would you suss out public transport if when you take the job you have a car?? Plus how do you know that a car isn't required for the job?

What if gf is going to breastfeed - only Mum can do this I'm afraid so Dad can't stay home.

flutterby_lil

McKneff wrote: »

Maybe your job would frown on you being on here during work time.

You really dont want to be getting the sack for being on here instead of working.

Could your OH go back to work and you stay at home if she earns more than you. Just an idea..........

How do you know he was on here during work time? He could have been at his mums, friends, in the library, Internet cafe, sat on a bus....don't presume he is at work!

smiales

McKneff wrote: »

Maybe your job would frown on you being on here during work time.

You really dont want to be getting the sack for being on here instead of working.

Could your OH go back to work and you stay at home if she earns more than you. Just an idea..........

If you are having a joke I apologise but this comes across really harsh. Maybe he's off today, maybe it's his break? Why are you getting at him?

Don't make the guy feel bad for asking for help by suggesting he'll get the sack...:(

Stroller133

Based on your given earnings, you will entitled to £82 (a few pence less bt can't recall) every 4 weeks in child benefit.

In the first 2 month you say your gf will get 75% pay, remember this will not be a 25% drop as the earnings she is losing will be taxed and NI'd (maybe Student Loan), meaning if her income is £550 less then take home will be about £360 less (£280 with child benefit added back in).

Then consider how much does she pay to commute - bus/train/taxi etc and does she eat lunch out whilst at work - sometime people have a high cost involved in going to work?

The second drop will also only be a 70% ish net drop due to NI & Tax.

When down to 25% and SMP there may be small refunds of tax due during those months as this income will be below the personal allowance level - it might only be £20 a month or so but it all helps.

Sorry none of this might the sort of scale of extra money you are looking for, but it all adds up.

somethingcorporate

You'll have to cut your cloth.

Is there the option to move closer to your work to lose the car? If you cannot afford to have one of you at home full time then that answers the question, you will both have to work and find other childcare arrangements but that's life I am afraid.

I cannot afford to have a ferrari, ergo, I do not have a ferrari. When my baby is due in a few months we cannot afford for my wife to have any longer than 6 months off so she is only having six months off. I don't expect anyone else to pick up the tab, it's all we can afford so it is all we will get.

sulkisu

smiales wrote: »

Work may be easily commutable by car, why would you suss out public transport if when you take the job you have a car?? Plus how do you know that a car isn't required for the job?

What if gf is going to breastfeed - only Mum can do this I'm afraid so Dad can't stay home.

Of course he can stay at home. She can express her milk -many working mothers do.

OP swapping roles may well be worth considering. I earn more than my partner and so when my maternity leave ends, will be returning to work leaving him at home with our sons. I dont know much about it (I'm sure others on here will - otherwise Google it) but there have been changes in the law to allow fathers to share the maternity leave with the mohter, as opposed to taking just two weeks paternity leave. Perhaps your employers will consider that option.

smiales

sulkisu wrote: »

Of course he can stay at home. She can express her milk -many working mothers do.

OP swapping roles may well be worth considering. I earn more than my partner and so when my maternity leave ends, will be returning to work leaving him at home with our sons. I dont know much about it (I'm sure others on here will - otherwise Google it), but there have been changes in the law to allow fathers to share the maternity leave with the mohter, as opposed to taking just two weeks paternity leave. Perhaps your employers will consider that option.

I was waiting for that, yes she can express but that isn't easy to do whilst working. Yes it's possible but not very practical. Maybe they want to formula feed and this is irrelevant anyway.

Yes maternity leave can be split now between the parents which is a fantastic option for dads and families to be given. All about choice.

I also can't help but feel sad that a mum, any mum has to put her baby second for such a short period of time. Not saying a mother has to stay home with baby, everyone is different but if this lady has always worked and wants to be home with her child for a very short time in the grand scheme of life it's very sad if she can't. The guy here just wants to know what help they may be able to get to enable her to do this. I don't think that's bad.

purplepardalis

Sometimes you just have to do what works best for the family. My son was born 3 months early, came home 8 weeks later and then 6 weeks after that I went back to work and my partner became a stay at home Dad. I would've loved to have stayed at home but I earn more so it made sense. Team effort and all that!