Government doesn't want the mother to stay at home.

Lyndsay_21

try finding childcare in my area for 2 children for less than 400pw is ridiculous i was thinking of going back to work but looking at day nurseries for 2 children it was £400 PER WEEK not worth me going back to work even with the 70% off from tax credits

HappySad

One thing that I have noticed. I have spoken to a a few nannies and childminder parents and I don't know one of them who don't look after their own child all day as a SAHM.

I would say that having you child with a good childminder or nanny would be better than a nursery as your child will be looked after in a home like environment with a childminder/nanny. They would get more attention.

I have not worked in child care so I can't compare children that have been in care (childminder/nanny/nursery) to those who have not.

HappySad

I get about 1hour during the day to get my jobs done like washing dishes/clothes/house work/ answer letters/ hovering/make calls & shower etc. I rush around while my son is sleeping.. When he is awake I am his to teach, play, feed and entertain. I find I have little time to get my jobs done around the house. At night I can surf the internet, MSEering and read books (usually on parenting and child developement).

A friend of mine who is a SAHM has a house keeper weekly to hover, mop and iron. Another friend who works full time is completely exhausted and getting panic attacks because of all the things she has to do and kinds little time to be with her little boy. She has now got a dish washer and will be getting a house cleaner. In a year or two she plans to work part-time.

SarahSaver I think you are amazing to get all those things done and still have time to cook a proper dinner from scratch!!!

Some parents want to stay at home and some want to work. I would be good if the government could make it easy for parents to be able to choose which ever best suits them without loosing out financially.

Why do you get more money to get someone else to look after your child; while you look after soneone elses?? A doctor who worked on child bonding suggested that two childminders parents could look after each other's children to get the tax benefits... under one roof which in effect they are looking after their own child..

Why can't childcare be paid for from tax? It would mean that we all pay extra tax but it would mean that those who want to work can work without loosing out financially.

I agree with the working parent getting the tax allowance of the not working parent. Or something that work making being a say at home parent viable. It is so important that the next generation is brought up to be well behaved (sorry about my spelling.. dyslexic) people that contibute to society. If we all spend the money at the early stages of a child development (great childcare and support for stay at home mums/dads) then you will get much more back for society. The initial investment would be a bargin and not a waste of money at all.!!!

I was watching a program the other day about children that become harden criminals and it was said that you need to invest the time into the children from 0-5 to teach them the way to be in society be insure that they become good citizans and not criminals. It is not cheaper to invest when they are young children? What is cheaper paying for a person to stay in prison OR for good childcare or for a mother to look after her child at home? It is so short sighted to not invest in those who look after the next generation.

Sarahsaver

The slow cooker is my secret weapon;)

HappySad

Sarahsaver wrote:

The slow cooker is my secret weapon;)

How is the slow cooker your secret weapon? Is it because you can quickly put in all the ingredience in and leave it all day to do the cooking for you.. while you get on with your day?

Sarahsaver

yes exactly

stressedoutmother

... if tax credits took into account that our take home is about a thousand less than it would be in a family where 2 were working. if this was taken into account we would be eligible for a few pennies extra and also for the surestart grant.

stressedoutmother

Sorry I am v new. I meant to reply to Jellyhead about the surestart grant... it can be claimed if you are getting more than minimum child tax credit (£545pa) and you will be getting more than the minimum if you have a child under 1 because of the extra allowance you get. You have to wait until after the birth then amend your family details with the inland revenue who will send you a revised award showing your new child tax. Then apply for a surestart grant (which you don't have to pay back) enclosing a copy of the award which proves you qualify (you have up to 3 months after the birth to apply) It is worth £500 and I had twins last year so it was worth £1000 to me (unlike the child tax credits which do not recognise multiple births in the child under 1 element!!!)... Good luck.

Spendless

stressedoutmother wrote:

Sorry I am v new. I meant to reply to Jellyhead about the surestart grant... it can be claimed if you are getting more than minimum child tax credit (£545pa) and you will be getting more than the minimum if you have a child under 1 because of the extra allowance you get. You have to wait until after the birth then amend your family details with the inland revenue who will send you a revised award showing your new child tax. Then apply for a surestart grant (which you don't have to pay back) enclosing a copy of the award which proves you qualify (you have up to 3 months after the birth to apply) It is worth £500 and I had twins last year so it was worth £1000 to me (unlike the child tax credits which do not recognise multiple births in the child under 1 element!!!)... Good luck.

double check this cos I read on the benefits board recently that you don't get the surestart grant if the reason you are getting more than the family element isdue to having a baby element on your award.

Congratulation on twins. I think the baby element per birth rather than per child is a bit unfair is a bit unfair on multiples- I know TAMBA is campaigning to change it to per child.

bylromarha

HappySad wrote:

How is the slow cooker your secret weapon? Is it because you can quickly put in all the ingredience in and leave it all day to do the cooking for you.. while you get on with your day?

No, it's because it makes an excellent missile to fling at anyone who stands in her way...