To become a sahm?

SuziQ

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.

This what I did with my third child, having worked full time with both my older children. It took a bit of organising for us, as my ex worked strange hours also and I have no family close by, but it worked pretty well for us, with no worries about a sudden expense throwing us for a loop!

Relying on benefits in the current climate is a pretty scary prospect at the moment, in my opinion . To give up a pretty well paid job to stay home in todays world would really lose me some sleep!

Good luck with your decision OP.

FBaby

because they (claim to) throw a few pennies in

Few pennies, if only!!

BJV

Children are expensive.

In an ideal world I would stay at home bake apple pies and finger paint with my two adoring children.

The reality is I want my children to go to a good school. So I have to buy a house in a catchment area. This costs a lot. I also want my children to be able to go on holiday and see nanny and granddad. Flights cost a lot. School shoes cost a lot.

It was our decision to have children so why should I expect someone else to pay ? Child care costs a fortune and I would of been better off staying at home for the first year or two. But I would of meant that I would of had to of given up my job, career.

It was the right decision for me long term. Yes to begin with it was not easy but again for me it was the right thing to do and I certainly did not expect anyone else to pay for me.

jules1964

Georgesmummy wrote: »

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!

Sorry, but you cant expect the government to pick up the bill just because you want to be at home. You are lucky to have a well paid job. My poor sister has three children, one a baby, and her and her partner get up at five in the morning to get the coach to london leaving the baby two days with a childminder and the other my parents. THey dont get the train even though is half the time travelling because its too expensive, so spend four hours a day travelling and spend out tons of childcare. My sister would love to be at home with the children, but financially she knows they cant afford to do it and wouldnt dream of taking benefits. So no sorry dont give your job up!

When I had my children I didnt go back to work full time as I was made redundant, but I did not claim benefits, we just tightened our belts and I got myself an evening job in Tesco and also an avon round, which you could fit round the children. I used to take my baby out in the buggy while collecting my books, so you could do this while the others are at school. A good time to start now with christmas on the horizon.

When_the_going_gets_tough

The OP has asked about HB and CTR. She is entitled to make her own plans in accordance with the law as we all do. OP you need to pursue any entitlement with your local council - they can assess you accurately.

tictak

I used to workin london but when my first child arrived i didnt want that life so i gave up work... hmmmm..... no money.

tictak

So i got a job in the evenings in a pizza restaurant,fab life,all day with mykids and then hubby took over...... they are now 14 and 17

bagpuss38

As others have said, perhaps look into other work avenues such as childminding, homeworking.
I now work nights sticking labels on shelves at a supermarket.
Not my lifelong career ambition but keeps our heads above water and I get all day and bedtime with my babies.
Also its good for you to have opportunities to be outside of the home environment, I love days of playdough and cbeebies but equally love putting uniform on and applying myself to my job.
Good luck with it all

zagfles

Georgesmummy wrote: »

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!

You probably wouldn't get council tax help, but HB/LHA is a possibility, check the numbers on the entitledto website and you can check max LHA rates for your area here: http://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

Ignore all the sanctimonious moralising on here, do what's best for you and your family. Personally I can't see the point in having children and then dumping them in childcare while they're still a baby. Google "attachment disorder".

zagfles

Poppie68 wrote: »

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

Not if they're earning under £149 a week they're not, they'll pay zero tax and zero NI, and will be able to claim the childcare element of WTC if working 16+ hours.

It's quite possible to get more in benefits working than as as a SAHM, without paying a penny in tax or NI.