To become a sahm?

Georgesmummy_2

Long time reader first time poster - PLEASE be gentle!!

I've worked full time since I was 16 I'm now nearly 30 (eek!) I have a 10 yr old, a 6 yr old and 4 month old

I'm due to return to work in December but me and my partner have been talking about me staying at home due to childcare expenses etc

My o/h brings home after tax about £1,100 per month.

Could someone give me some idea of what we would be entitled to?? I went on the entitled.to website and it mentions help with rent/ct but I'm not sure how easy it is to actually get these other than TC and cb I've never claimed anything

Please don't judge I just want to enjoy my babies for a few years!

RAS

you need to check out www.turn2us.org.uk

be aware that as and when universal credit comes in conditionality rules may appy (so things could change). That could affect families earning less than £24K gross.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow

Have you considered your husband giving up his job and you going back to work? I only say this because giving up your job would leave you in a very vulnerable position should your relationship break down.

And ignore any comments like "you shouldn't have had them if you couldn't afford them" - poor people can have families too, not just rich ones - we're not sterile worker ants!

BigAunty

Georgesmummy wrote: »

....

Could someone give me some idea of what we would be entitled to?? I went on the entitled.to website and it mentions help with rent/ct but I'm not sure how easy it is to actually get these other than TC and cb I've never claimed anything

That calculator has a reputation for being accurate, so long as the data being entered is accurate.

Posters here can't calculate your housing benefit/Council tax because only you know the information around what rent you pay, the size of property you are entitled to with HB/LHA, your local council tax discount scheme.

The local council processes housing benefit and council tax discounts - look on their website to understand the application process. Keep copies of all your documents/forms. Note that it can take awhile for HB to come through so make sure you can pay the rent should it not be received on a timely basis. Why not give them a call about your entitlements?

Mojisola

Doesn't that apply as well to parents who go to work and claim benefits for child care?

Perhaps they should stay at home if they can't afford to work without state help towards nursery places.

Poppie68

Mojisola wrote: »

Doesn't that apply as well to parents who go to work and claim benefits for child care?

Perhaps they should stay at home if they can't afford to work without state help towards nursery places.

No i don't think it does...they are working and claiming CTC but putting back into the pot by paying taxes and NI.

shop-to-drop

Have you considered looking for work evenings, weekends or even nights to eliminate childcare costs and continue to have an income. This is the best solution for many in your situation.

Gigglepig

There may be compromises where you can spend more time with kids yet not let go of the employment/income altogether.

If your baby is only 4 months old, sounds like step 1 might be to put in notice asap to your employer to extend your maternity leave to come back later, that way you have more time to make a decision? (They will need 8 weeks notice.) if you return at 12 months rather than 6, you can give sahm a go a while longer with the security net of having a job to return to.

Would your or your OH's employers consider requests for flexible working, so you could work part time without the need for childcare? It would give you more time with the kids & keep some income. So basically your working hours would need to not overlap much, to reduce childcare costs.

You migh also be able to use the annual leave accumulated while you were on maternity leave to work say a 4 day week for quite many months.

You might both also be able to take some unpaid parental/family leave, which you could use to spend more time at home while the children are small without giving up employment. For example during school holidays.

Have you got any savings that could pay for you not working for a while? If not, perhaps look at whether you can move to a cheaper house etc to make it work on a reduced income.

DigForVictory

If nothing else, do your "return to work" month (or whatever 4 week period to stay friendly with your employer) in May - two Bank Holidays!

Consider a Career Break if the option is open, as it may improve your odds of a job in another 5 years time. (There is also the wondrous Part Time Term Time if you have both a Government job & a sympathetic boss.)

Finally, whatever you decide on, try to have a six month review? Just in case you realise that actually the SAHM gig is a swine, money's too tight, everyone's stressed & miserable. As it can happen & it doesn't make you in any way a bad parent.

Twisted_Cherry

Jeez there are some people in this thread that really need to get off their high horse!

BJV

Op think long term. I would have loved to of stayed at home but we could not afford to. We have two children 10 and 7. At first it was difficult but now I am so glad I went back.

Child care costs can mount up but think not only for now but for your children's long term future. School uniforms are not cheap. School shoes etc.

Think long term not just right now.