When things hit rock bottom the only answer is to fight the way back up...

EssexHebridean

I have to say I think you're right about work being good for you - and so long as you're physically fit enough to be there, and mentally you feel you can cope, then the impression I get is that getting back to some form of normality will probably do you good.

Cherryfudge

If you feel ready to go back to work, I think you probably are - but possibly a phased return?

What a nice man your step Dad seems to be.

Sun_Addict

Good idea to go back to work, even if just a phased return, it will get you back out of the house. My DD used to suffer from anxiety and agoraphobia a few years ago and it was work that got her over it really. She still rarely leaves the house otherwise though and gets a taxi to and from work.

Great news that your step dad is helping out, I get the feeling you don't get as much support as you should from your family, so this is good to hear.

My kids are older than you and even when they were at school the schools were always after money for non uniform days, trips, donations, etc, so I don't think anything' changed on that front. I remember the head of their primary school asking parents to buy daffodil bulbs for harvest festival so they could be planted along the drive down to the school as she had a vision of driving down in spring past a host of daffodils. I used to think why don't you buy them yourself then as you must be on a good wage! Nothing ever changes!

By the way I've also got a cupboard of doom (two if I'm honest). No matter how many times I declutter them it all builds back up again!

Hope you have a good day today

Toni'sfriend

Cupboard of doom? I think that describes every one in my house.
Getting back into a routine will make you feel better so if you are feeling physically well enough going back to work might be a good idea. Your manager seems to be quite an understanding person so maybe having a word with her would be beneficial.
Take care of yourself, Hidden.

Hiddenidenity

I've managed to speak to my Manager, they have cover this week and she thinks I should look at returning a week tomorrow. So still 3 weeks early if I feel up to it. She said don't jump in head first as obviously it will be another sick note going through if it is too soon and I need to be off again.

So that at least gives me this week to get organised again. The kids in school properly etc.

Hiddenidenity

November goals

Money
£20 to council tax - £/£20
£50 Groceries - £/£50

New Debt 12/11/2017
Broken down into
£602
£50
£52
£30

This is likely to rise on the 16th.

Extra income (Waiting for)
Onepoll £40
Pureprofile £25

Plans
Two bigger smalls to get 100% attendance Well that's a fail not even a week into November
[STRIKE]Post Nephews Birthday card[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]DD School trip[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]DS School trip[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Parents evening Need to rearrange I missed as was sick[/STRIKE]

List of things I need to sort in October.
DD's clothes - just tights
Youngest - leggings and socks
BIL Birthday card
Buy Christmas Jumpers x 3
[STRIKE]School trip £6 [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]School trip £3 [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Post money to :A[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Post school photos [/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Youngest School trip £14[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Youngest School Event £2.20[/STRIKE]

Unbudgeted spends
Need to post some money to someone
Need to post School photos
School Shoes for DS again :cool:
More School t-shirts for youngest :cool:
School trainers for youngest
School tights for DD
£3 Xmas gifts

charlies_tribe

Hope your feeling a bit better now HI. I agree about taking the time off if you need it but I also know how much you need your routine and being back to 'normal' routine may help you feel better.

Don't feel guilty about using some of DD's DLA. It's not just for the big things but also things like special diet foods, extra heating and washing, journeys to medical appointments, extra clothing (like the pj's. My DS chews his clothes and goes through loads), things like nappies that wouldn't normally be needed at that age... All of which you usually just add into normal spending, over a month they all add up.

Hiddenidenity

charlies_tribe wrote: »

Hope your feeling a bit better now HI. I agree about taking the time off if you need it but I also know how much you need your routine and being back to 'normal' routine may help you feel better.

Don't feel guilty about using some of DD's DLA. It's not just for the big things but also things like special diet foods, extra heating and washing, journeys to medical appointments, extra clothing (like the pj's. My DS chews his clothes and goes through loads), things like nappies that wouldn't normally be needed at that age... All of which you usually just add into normal spending, over a month they all add up.

Thank you, I was thinking this. The grocery budget no where near covers her nappies etc. I have been using Amazon vouchers so far to purchase the majority of nappies/syringes and things but I've nearly run out of vouchers now. I didn't know if this should now be added into my grocery budget or take it from her DLA.

charlies_tribe

DS has to have large nappies,( on offer at £4 at the minute for 9!) We get so many supplied but no where near enough (1 nappy a night and pants for the daytime that don't work after a few washes). This comes out of his DLA.
If you don't want to use it, maybe half it, so that you save half for the big items and half goes into the grocery house budgets to cover nappies, extra electricity (we have to have the heating on to keep DS warm and being incontinent his bedding/clothes are washed a lot more than the others), special milks etc.
But defiantly don't feel guilty about using it.
Did you update the tax credits now you have the DLA?, Cant remember if you did or not.
Are you still getting any housing/council tax benefits? I know you are working now but i'm sure you would still get some help.

Sorry for all the questions, I know you don't want to claim anything your not entitled to and was hoping you didn't cancel these completely when you started work x

Hiddenidenity

I have updated tax credits and that changed the payments from there.

I don't get any council tax reduction or housing benefit though, I'm not sure if her DLA will make a difference to that? Maybe I should check

I think I'm going to try the half/half with the things she needs. Her things from Amazon are over £100 a month (nappies, tapes, syringes etc) We do get a certain amount free on prescription but no where near enough. For her diet we all eat the same avoiding things she can't eat. So we are all dairy free/soya free/nut free etc. So while it probably costs more it's just our usual meal plans etc so I won't half this just the 'supplies' for her care. I did buy her piedro boots from her DLA and her carseat but not her usual trainers/clothes etc. I never know what to take from it and what I should just be covering myself