to wonder what MN's view is on this?

[ciabattav0nbreadstickz]

I know a couple, not friends but I know of them.

Both of them worked until recently, one full time, one part time.

They have had a baby. The mum has, for all intents and purposes, given up work. The dad now works p/t because they get more in benefits if he only works p/t. So they get more or the same income as they did before having the baby when he was working f/t and she was working p/t than they do now with only one of them working p/t.

Aibu to be curious as to how the population of MN view this?

I know that the general consensus seems to be that if you have kids you shouldn't claim any more benefits that you actually need to survive and that you should pay for your kids yourself if you can.

But equally so I've seen similar threads where a couple have been praised for being savvy enough about the benefits system to work out that they have had a better income by working less.

So which would in be in this situation?

Fwiw I don't necessarily agree with it but that is less a comment on the couple themselves and more of an issue with the way the benefits system works that means it is more financially viable for many families in many situations to do this.

I have nothing against benefits and have claimed them myself so no judgement against the couple!

[thecatfromjapan]

Is this another thread about Kate and Wills?

[Sunshine87]

You clearly have an opinion otherwise why post about your 'friends' personal business on MN.

I doubt he was a very high earner if working PT is the same as FT but topped up with tax credits. The minimum amount of hours per couple is 24 I believe. He might of had a drop in his hours that you don't know about.

[Trills]

MN doesn't have a view, unless you mean "what would Justine et al say to the Press if asked?"

Lots of individuals might have a view, but there is no view that is "MN's view"

[ciabattav0nbreadstickz]

No its not! I don't really follow the royals

[VegasIsBest]

My view would be that you are over-interested in a situation that is really none of your business. Why would you know all these details of another family's income before and after?

[Sirzy]

I find it quite hard to believe and would think there is more to it than meets the eye.

Unless they were on a very low wage then benefits won't give the same income as a full time wage

[ciabattav0nbreadstickz]

Ok, the individuals on MN! I know they are definitely not a homogenous group at opinions differ within MN but I also know that the opinions of people on MN sometimes are wildly different to that of people I know in RL, hence my question

[Sparklingbrook]

So you aren't judging them but you want all the posters on MN to?

[sooperdooper]

I really couldn't care less, neither of them must've been earning much beforehand but anyway I thought if you purposefully dropped hours you'd have to wait ages to claim? Bit like if you walk out of a job you can't claim straight away?

[ciabattav0nbreadstickz]

Why does anyone know anything about anyone else's business Vegas? People have conversations etc, just because something doesn't directly affect me doesn't mean I'm not curious about opinions on it. I would say the vast majority of thread, especially in AIBU don't affect the OP directly.

[Dawndonnaagain]

Mind your own business regarding the manner in which people choose to live their lives unless it is both directly and adversely affecting you.

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

Are you sure? It's just the benefit changes have made that sort of thing much less likely.

Personally I think working the system to suit yourself is fine. But with the caveat that where the system is wrong it should be changed.

[Sparklingbrook]

What replies are you wanting?

[acasualobserver]

Are these arrangements illegal?

[GiveMyHeadPeaceffs]

Tbh with the cost of childcare these days I know of quite a few people who have had to cut hours dramatically and rely on benefits. It's a shame that this is the case for so many. I'd try hard and not judge, every case is different. Wouldn't be my choice but then they maybe didn't either.

[BertrandRussell]

God, they must have been working for peanuts before the baby..............

[Ifailed]

Is this another thread about Kate and Wills?

[SalemSaberhagen]

Is it fun working for Matthew Wright, OP?

[thecatfromjapan]

Men's view on this will be similar to that of a woman who, having prepared for the task assiduously, sets off in good time - while light still weaves itself amongst the dark and moth-like stars are fluttering out - and walks between the sleeping houses of the village, then on, and on.

She walks narrow paths, feeling stones beneath her feet and the slow incline. The increasing strain in her limbs tells her of the rising path before her eyes and reason.

On and on she climbs, through the breaking day, through the arduous toil of a noon with little shade and a brief repast and respite.

Until, as stars hint their presence through a violet-ing sky, she stands, and beholds:

The small village, with its occupants are far below her; their pressing concerns, which loomed so large when she was down amongst them, are now pin-pricks: all is held within the vast geography, the swoop of mountains and sky, that is embraced in her one glance.

This, then, is the view of mumsnet.

[CantWaitForWarmWeather]

Well my MN view is this...

It's their life and if they are happy then good. I don't get wound up about people claiming benefits like a lot of people do. It's none of my business what other people do anyway.

[thecatfromjapan]

O! Neophyte. Think hard upon your question:

Is it worthy to be asked of mumsnet, who has laboured thusly? and sees all things?

[thecatfromjapan]

For fuck's sake!!! Epic autocorrect fail!

The view of MUMSNET - not bloody MEN!!!!

[CoteDAzur]

Great post, thecat

[RudeElf]

So they get more or the same income as they did before having the baby

In other words you have no idea and are assuming.

Aibu to be curious as to how the population of MN view this?

There are hundreds of thousands of people on MN. They'll view it in hundreds of thousands of ways.

Which answer do you deem correct?