after paying more than half your earnings on childcare....

[giddy1]

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[ebenezer]

Well i always thought 'Bollocks! I'd rather be spending it on me!!!!' Seriously, you need to look at the benefits- write them down if it helps: You will be an excellent role model for your dcs, foster their independence, no danger of you sitting at home with low self esteem and depression cos you've been out of the workplace so long that you can't face returning when dcs are older, you're providing them with a chance to interact with other adults, babies and toddlers, you'll be able to genuinely have an equal role with your partner rather than falling into traditional roles of stay-at-home/go-to-work. See, doesn't look so bad after all?! Oh and finally, you'll feel SO RICH when they finally start school and you're just paying for each and of the day plus holiday care!

[giddy1]

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[cece]

I enjoy my job and think teh dc's beneift from their childrcare arrangements. But I only work 2 days a week...

[giddy1]

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[cece]

I work 2 days a week and used to work full time. I get just under half of what I used to get to take home as I pay less tax now...

DS is at nursery as it is only for 2 and half hours per day and it lasts for 3 hors. I have to pay a top up fee. They get this nursery provision the term after they turn 3.

[stargate]

you will still pay a childminder a full day when the nursery free place kicks in.

does yours or dh's workplace get access to childcare vouchers? if you use these then you'll not be paying tax or NI. for two days a week you'd get the care covered in salary sacrifice to vouchers.

[Laredo]

Just joined and interested in this thread.
It's about balance I think.
If you are working full time and feel knackered when you get home and guilty for leaving your dc's and also paying out half of your take home plus, then what is the point of going out to work?
You'd be amazed how little you need to live on.
Is it possible to take a job less demanding, to fit in with children eg cleaning??

[rookiemum]

Its not the salary that keeps me going, its the final salary pension.

[LunarSea]

I try not to think about how much I'm paying out and concentrate on the fact that I'm maintaining my salary level, whereas getting back to that if I took time out now would be difficult. So in the long term it will hopefully pay off even it doesn't feel like it now.