Confused: We have joint JSA Claim, now partner is having a caesarean...

tinkledom

blondebubbles wrote: »

I would have thought a parent would want as much time off as possible to spend with their new baby (babies). I wouldn't have thought 2 weeks was nearly enough. Maybe that's just me.

Well it was when I was working and my wife had our twins. No guy that I can remember ever moaned about wanting more time. Most were, like me, glad to get back to work and out from under their wife's feet.


My time to help out came when I got home giving my wife the chance to have a bath, do her hair and put some clothes on.


Come to think of it, my wife didn't moan either about me going back to work - it was the expected and the norm.


It wasn't just newborn twins in our house either, we had an 8 year old lad and an 11 year old girl to contend with.

pineapple123

I would have loved to have a year off to look after my children however even 15 years ago you didnt get such a long time off. I couldnt afford to have extended time with them so was back to work when they were 10 weeks old and thankfully just begining to sleep for most of the night, hubby wasnt entitled to anytime so had to use some of his 4 weeks holiday leave.

Life was a juggling act and exhausting but you just did it.

I sometimes hear people who have just had a year off on maternity leave complaining that its not enough time, how will they manage, their babies are still so young etc. Sorry i feel abit unsympathetic.

anmarj

I had an elective and recovered very quickly (too quick I think in some people eyes;)) but I know some of my friends who had one recently took the full 6 - 8 weeks.

ArtoDeeto

nannytone wrote: »

your partner can make a claim for income support ( she will claim for you) from when she is 29 weeks pregnant.
she can continue to claim until the baby is 15 weeks old . then you must reclaim JSA

That would be my answer.

cattermole

It's a bit like saying post natal depression never existed in my day, everyone just got on with it. But everyone is different and not everyone copes with things the same way.

I'm surprised some are not insisting the children should be working up chimneys or what ever the modern day equivalent would be.

When I had my two children it was six weeks maternity pay that was it, now it is 39 I certainly don't begrudge those that have an extra 33 weeks than I did. There was no paternity leave and I agree if you are in work you can save up your holidays. Not everyone has family on hand either to help out.

It's always very difficult for people who are self employed with a trade and I do hope your new baby is delivered safely and things start to pick up for you OP.

cattermole

anmarj wrote: »

I had an elective and recovered very quickly (too quick I think in some people eyes;)) but I know some of my friends who had one recently took the full 6 - 8 weeks.

Congratulation on your new baby

notanewuser

ipswichbhoy wrote: »

Unfortunately, we found out today that our unborn baby is 'breech' meaning my partner will have to have a caesarean section on the 12th February.

<SNIP>

But we have four boys (ages 11, 8, 3, 1) and our little bundle of joy (a girl ) coming very soon, and given the fact my partner has to have a C-section, she will not be able to look after the kids on her own for 6-8 weeks at the very least, meaning I will not be able to work.

Unless there are other issues nobody "has to have a c-section" just because a baby is breech.

FBaby

I don't know any employer who would agree for one of their employee to take 15 weeks paid holiday in lieu of paternity leave, let alone all the time before the baby is even born.

In the end, what would OP do if he was working and his boss told him he could only take 2 weeks off? Needing a c-section is not that unusual. Yet being neither are working, he can claim benefits without having to look for work, let alone actually work.

roxy7699

I had an emerg c sec in sept, was up and about like normal after 2 weeks, not because I wanted to be but because I had to be. I have another child who was kindly lookes after by mum for two weeks but I still had to do all the normal house and new baby stuff. OH works 2 jobs so only around for a few hours each day and wasnt much use in those hours.
Everyone copes differently but if the work offer is there I would take it.

princessdon

15 weeks paternity and a pay rise for an additional child.

Perhaps we should make this the normal so working fathers can bond with their newborn.