MSE Pregnancy Club 28

psychopathbabble

Hi all, can I ask what your plans are regarding returning to work? I was planning on going back after 9 months off. However, there has been ongoing redundancies and moving people round departments. I'm now wondering whether to go back at all (they made a big number of cuts last October and keep saying that's it now but then keep making odd redundancies here and there out of the blue), but not sure I could cope with not working at all but also I don't want to then struggle to get back into work once the baby/babies are at school. I'm not used to working in such a unstable environment, my previous job I was in for 7 years and there was only one lot of redundancies in that time.

Beckyy

psycho, I've requested 9 months maternity, and will need to use some accrued holidays before returning so would likely be around 10 months off altogether. I'm going to request to go back on lower hours, because of child care and also to make sure I still have a chance to do some things with little one as I think it would be incredibly difficult to work full time, manage a home, look after a baby and still keep my sanity - hats of to those who do! I'm going to start looking into childcare in the next month or so as I have no idea of waiting lists and I don't think there are hundreds of options locally either. If you could manage financially but decided to go back, worst case scenario is that you get made redundant and paid off?

It's worth checking if you would need to pay back any of your maternity pay if you didn't return to work if you'll be receiving occupational maternity pay.

psychopathbabble

Yes, I'm tempted to go back part time and see if they come through with any of their promises and ideas (not looking good having seen what they have done to others recently). I have checked finances today and if I was to give up work we would be ok... So I guess at least that is one less worry. It's just frustrating and unsettling and stressful not ever knowing what will happen each day.

FreddieFrugal

Yay Mancmama

She's doing well Beckyy. she's a bit tired. Finding it tricky to sleep now that baby is in position. Tossing and turning all night.

So no sleep for me either! Better get used to it I suppose.

Kynthia

Psychopathbabble I went back to work 4 days a week after a year off with my daughter. I was always going to return as the main earner and I was glad to do so as I think being at home all the time was very hard for me. I think going back at 9 or 10 months is a good time if you are happy with your childcare solution. Thankfully we had family plus my OH going part time temporarily meaning we didn't need paid for childcare until my daughter was walking and talking. By that point they thrive spending some time each week with lots of other children and activities all day so sending them is so much easier.

I'd like to do the same this time but I'm being made redundant in a few months so I'll need to job hunt on maternity leave which worries me. So I don't know whether I'll find an employer willing to allow me to work 4 days. Plus I'll need to see whether family can assist again or whether we'll go straight to the nursery my daughter currently uses. It won't be cheap having two in paid childcare but it won't be forever as we'll then have school and wraparound care to deal with!

Beckyy

Kynthia, I'm thinking along the same lines as it won't be forever when it comes to the childcare costs. It would be great if your current nursery had a space available though, I would imagine they might be more accommodating when a sibling needs a place too?

I can definitely feel baby very low down in my pelvis area now, and moments of pressure and tightening/braxton hicks quite often, the top of my bump doesn't really have much there now either so assuming he has started to engage.

Must get my to-do list done quicker before it's too late!

I hope you're all well.

psychopathbabble

Thanks ladies... It's just a shock that they keep doing this. I guess going back to start with would be ok and then I can see what happens. I guess it could be in a completely different place in a years time - both good or bad. At least I don't have to stress financially which is a relief, I just would prefer not to be out of work completely for the next few years.


We finally got bedding etc for the nursery yesterday and ticked lots of things off the 'to buy' list. I also decided we will paint the nursery, which is fine, just a bit difficult as we have the furniture built and already in there and it won't be possible to get all of it out! Also packed most of my hospital bag today as poor DH keeps having anxiety dreams about it... He woke me up sleep talking the other night stressing about how baby needed a hat and none of my stuff was together for him to put in the car! Just need to get a few bits and some snacks and it should be ready to go.

justme1985

I am going to try and take a year off. I have done a budget and we should be able to cope when I do stop getting any more. We'll have to put money aside for the later months.

I am hoping I will be able to do compressed hours when I get back (so 5 days work in 4 days) to save on some childcare costs. We've got a few nurseries around here so will start having a look at getting prices and visiting them. There is one right next to my work and one at DH's work so I think they will be top choices.

pink_petal

I think I'm taking 9.5 months off. It was going to be 10 but I suggested to Oh that we do a month of shared parental leave towards the end on my leave so the three of us can do things together. So he's having a month off at the start (paternity leave and annual leave) and then another month in Aug/Sept using the shared leave. Thinking it'll be really nice at that point as she'll be a bit older and we wont be as shell shocked so we will be able to get out and about as a family and maybe get a wee holiday.

I'm really torn about what to do when I go back. Ideally I'd like to go down to 4 days a week but just not sure I could cope with the drop in salary. We really want to move in about 2 years and that wouldn't help. I could do compressed hours but it means really long days and missing out on loads of morning/dinner times with the baby. I think I might struggle on with normal hours til she's a bit older and then think about compressed.

I've also been looking into nurseries recently and have been shocked at how reluctant they are to give out costs...three of the ones I've contacted have glossed over giving me prices and just tried to arrange for us to have a show around...is that normal??

Beckyy

Most (if not all) of the ones I've looked at have their costs on their website pinkpetal. I take it they haven't got them listed on there? Childminders seem to be price on enquiry from the ones I've looked at though.

It seems to be around £40 a day for our area for a nursery/day care centre, though there looks to be a big variation in different parts of the UK.

I'm looking at a couple of childminders first but considering the day care/nursery also.

I seem to be eating so much, I think it's down to not being as busy. Slowly working my way through my to do list but it's much easier to waste time online!