I dont think anybody will be able to advise either of you in detail without going into your exact finances but I used to be an advisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau and so I know that you can go to one of their drop in advice sessions - (you will need to pop in to ask them when their Generalist Advice Sessions are held) and they will do a calculation for you - this is called a "better off calculation".....you will need to take full details of all of your income and outgoings. Generally I found as an advisor that those in couples were entitled to very little "extra" but they can assess what you would be entitled to were you to work one day, then two, then three, etc etc. It's a little hit and miss depending on which advisor you get so you can also send your partner at the same time to see another advisor and then compare advice!! ........ or is that a bit naughty! :-).....a money advisor can also look at cutting your household expenditure with you so that you can spend that extra time with your cherubs! Good luck - you will never get the time back with your little ones and I very much reccomend working part time if you can x

x