I WILL get there!!

enthusiasticsaver

Sorry to hear about the PND. Having a baby is a massive life change so don't be too hard on yourself. Once you are focused I am sure you will beat that debt.

XSpender

Good to see you back and I can't believe your baby boy is 1 already!

crazy_cat_lady

Nice to see you back Kirsty :wave:
Sorry to hear that you've had a tough year. Becoming a parent is a life change that nobody can prepare you for - don't be hard on yourself about your feelings or your spending. You're dealing with it all, and you will get there - you've done it before.
Lots of love to you and donut

monz

Great to see you back. Take your time with things We are all here for you and mail if you need someone to talk to xxx

kirtsypoos

Thanks everyone I actually feel a bit better just from being here

I won't be going gung ho with the debt like I did before as I don't have the available funds these days - I've reduced my hours at work so I am only working 3 days a week. My Mom is looking after donut one day and the other 2 days he will be at nursery (had his first 2 hour settle session yesterday, I cried more than he did!) but it means I will still get time with him. It doesn't come cheap but I'm happy with where we chose.

I tried to weigh up the pros and cons of reducing my hours sensibly but all I kept coming back to was that I wanted as much time with him as possible - I won't get this time back after all. So I'll be trying to make extra money in other ways to cover overpayments and this will be my challenge.

I've already listed some things on ebay that were kindly bought for us but we never used (perfect prep machine, moses basket and the like) so hopefully that will sell and get me started.

I also, very stupidly, became rather addicted to open ended wooden toys. They will always be my preference for him but they do not come cheap. I'm trying to balance my hatred of noisy, flashing, plastic tat with my budget. He got lots for Christmas and his birthday so I have no need to spend money on any more toys or clothes at the moment, therefore the only real donut shaped expenses are nappies, wipes, cream etc which are more than covered by child benefit and his food (he is a gannet and is eating us out of house and home already :rotfl:)

I've got budget spreadsheets coming out of my ears at the moment but we can't seem to stick to budgets very well because there are some issues with OHs job (nothing major, just lots of changing hours and he's dictated by eurotunnel delays and traffic so sometimes is out much longer than anticipated), which means he then stops for coffee/food. (I do make him a packed lunch and a flask of coffee but sometimes he is out across more than one mealtime but we don't know that in advance :doh:) There have also been some pay issues which are as yet unresolved so he isn't currently getting the salary he should be, which doesn't help.

Anyway, my work day is about to start (a tad late ) so I'd better get to it!

abba1772

It's hard being a working parent I've got experience from both ends, my eldest was in nursery when she was little when I worked part time and now I provide childcare for working parents and it's so tough seeing them getting guilty for being away but it's all about balance and I'm sure the nursery you've chosen will be great for your little one........I still get guilty for working when my kids are off school because I'm not giving them 100% of my time but we can only do the best we've can xx

PositiveBalance

Hi Kirsty - good to have you back!

I can't believe that donut is one!

Well done on making it back to work and hopefully working more reasonable hours; your working hours were crazy before you came off on mat.leave. I hope they are more sensible now, for all your sakes!

I have no doubt that you will slay the new debt despite the lower income as you did such an amazing job before with a far higher balance.

Onwards and upwards as they say!

kirtsypoos

Thanks PB, it's good to be back! My hours are much more manageable. I've already left twice with something unfinished because nothing is coming before time with my baby

You just can't win, eh Abba?!
It was donuts first full day at nursery today and it isn't going well. He was hysterical when I dropped him off, he was screaming and sobbing Mama, Mama so I've been sat at work since 8.10 crying myself. I called nursery to see if he'd settled an hour later but I could hear him crying in the background

I know working isn't a choice but the guilt is unreal and it's taking everything I've got not to walk out and go and cuddle my boy

Still haven't got the figures together, I'm rubbish these days. I will do. Soon.

Hope everyone is ok. It's taking so long to catch up with only half an hour twice a week

sashybo

Hi Kirsty, nice to see you back.

Sorry to hear that donut's first full day at nursery has been so traumatic for you both so far. Hopefully he calmed down & will settle in soon, I'm sure he will enjoy it in the long run.

I'm slightly dreading leaving DS at a nursery/with anyone who isn't related to me as I haven't had to do it yet & he's nearly 2 now. So I'm thinking sooner rather than later is probably better & that's why I'm starting to look into nursery for one day a week for him. I think he's ready for it but I don't know if I am. :eek:

On a side note, you must be a saint having your OH's parents back staying for another month. :eek: I can't handle much more than 3 days with my outlaws.

Honeysucklelou2

You have my sympathy...my youngest has been at nursery since he was 7 months old. I know I've had to for financial reasons but the guilt is hard. 3 days at work and 4 days off sounds a good balance,