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Original poster

Worried about maternity pay

42 replies

beaanna · 09/04/2025 15:41

I know so many others will be in similar positions but I guess I just want a space to vent.

I am on maternity leave currently and sick with worry about how we will manage when I drop to statutory pay (in less than 2 months). It’s £185 a week, less than £800 a month and will be taxed still - for anyone who didn’t know.

We have a mortgage on a semi detached home that we bought while I was pregnant. Interest rates were extremely high but it was that or continue to rent, and we desperately wanted a home of our own to bring our DC up in. There were unexpected costs after moving which meant we haven’t been able to save as much as we hoped and our bills have all gone up which accounts for the majority of the little disposable income we had planned to have while my income is reduced on maternity.

We will from June have anywhere between £150-350 left as disposable per month until I return to work. If we book the short trip we wanted to take our DC on this summer, it will be the lower end of that bracket. That’s for treats for the DC, clothes for the whole family, anything unexpected. I hadn’t planned to go back until late this year but I’m now thinking I may have to bring this forward to late summer, which will affect how long I can breastfeed for. I don’t feel ready to leave baby and we also don’t have any childcare lined up that early and doubt there will be any availability. Refuse to just book any old nursery particularly after that documentary. I am tearing my hair out trying to think of solutions. I knew it would drop lower but I didn’t foresee the unexpected costs and bills going up as much as they have.

WTF can we do? Will it be more doable than I think?

OP posts:
Twinkletoes10 · 09/04/2025 16:10

I think it's doable OP, if you do need anything urgent such as clothes etc you could put them on credit. Maybe scale back your expenses and just enjoy this precious few months you have left with your baby, you can go on holidays next year. Kids enjoy the little things in life just as much as the big things 🥰

Original poster
beaanna · 09/04/2025 16:09

Twinkletoes10 · 09/04/2025 16:08

£150 per week so not as bad as that!

Show quote history

It is a month, PP was right. £150-350

OP posts:
Missscarletintheconservatory · 09/04/2025 16:08

Defer your trip or go on some cheap day trips. Get a zero interest credit card but do not go wild spending.
Whenever you plan to return start looking for childcare so you have a plan.
If it helps I returned to work after my baby turned one. I was on no pay for 3 months and then annual leave. I have been back at work over a year and still breastfeeding, it doesn’t t have to be the end of you want to keep going.

Twinkletoes10 · 09/04/2025 16:08

Pippa12 · 09/04/2025 16:04

It’s a tough one but you’re probably going to have to go back to work. £150 a month just isn’t enough sadly.

could you use your annual leave weekly and work a shorter week?

£150 per week so not as bad as that!

AprilBunny · 09/04/2025 16:08

Could you take a shorter maternity leave?

SErunner · 09/04/2025 16:07

Did you not consider all this when you planned your mat leave? Our finances dictated how long I could be off for. I think you need to be pragmatic and responsible here - if you can’t afford to be off you can’t afford it. I’d start looking for a nursery place and start pumping + bottle feeding. Going back to work doesn’t mean you have to stop breast feeding. Alternatively you could see if you can take a mortgage holiday and strip back all spending you possibly can, but personally I wouldn’t go down this road. Definitely don’t book a trip if you’re this strapped financially, that would be daft. Going back to work really isn’t that bad and it has to happen at some point. You settle back in and find a new routine. Your baby will adjust to childcare, it will be fine :)

SoSoLong · 09/04/2025 16:06

It's only for a very short period of time, you'll have to budget strictly but you'll manage, worst case scenario you'll put a couple of hundred pounds a month onto a credit card.

Original poster
beaanna · 09/04/2025 16:05

ItTook9Years · 09/04/2025 16:01

Is there any work you can do on a self employed basis while you’re off?

Don’t forget Kit days (best done when you’re on nil pay)

I don’t think I can afford any unpaid time off tbh

OP posts:
Original poster
beaanna · 09/04/2025 16:05

Lmnop22 · 09/04/2025 16:01

It’s so so tough and I’m sorry you’re worrying through your maternity leave instead of enjoying your baby!

How long would you need to live on limited disposable income? If it’s only a few months, I think you’ll be able to do it with some planning - maybe don’t take the trip this summer but look at the Autumn or New Year when you’re back at work. Over the summer there are so many more free options for taking the baby out because it’s sunny and parks, walks, the beach, playgrounds, your garden etc are so much more enjoyable so you won’t spend as much on days out and tickets to things. If you have friends or family with slightly older kids, asks for their hand me downs of clothes - I happily donate mine to friends and family to get them out of my house and the clothes and up doing the rounds which is nice! Kids think it’s a treat if they get an ice pop or get to throw buckets of water at each other in the garden or whatever so don’t worry about buying them toys or expensive treats for that short period, you’re all they need anyway! Anything unexpected can go on a credit card for a short time until your income comes back up too.

Prioritse your time off with your baby, breastfeeding as long as you and your baby want to and try not to worry, you’ll be back to full earning capacity soon and will catch up!

Thank you so much for this.

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 09/04/2025 16:04

It’s a tough one but you’re probably going to have to go back to work. £150 a month just isn’t enough sadly.

could you use your annual leave weekly and work a shorter week?

Original poster
beaanna · 09/04/2025 16:04

ItTook9Years · 09/04/2025 15:56

You won’t pay tax on SMP if you’re on the normal tax code.

Thank you, I am that’s a relief

OP posts:
ItTook9Years · 09/04/2025 16:01

Is there any work you can do on a self employed basis while you’re off?

Don’t forget Kit days (best done when you’re on nil pay)

Lmnop22 · 09/04/2025 16:01

It’s so so tough and I’m sorry you’re worrying through your maternity leave instead of enjoying your baby!

How long would you need to live on limited disposable income? If it’s only a few months, I think you’ll be able to do it with some planning - maybe don’t take the trip this summer but look at the Autumn or New Year when you’re back at work. Over the summer there are so many more free options for taking the baby out because it’s sunny and parks, walks, the beach, playgrounds, your garden etc are so much more enjoyable so you won’t spend as much on days out and tickets to things. If you have friends or family with slightly older kids, asks for their hand me downs of clothes - I happily donate mine to friends and family to get them out of my house and the clothes and up doing the rounds which is nice! Kids think it’s a treat if they get an ice pop or get to throw buckets of water at each other in the garden or whatever so don’t worry about buying them toys or expensive treats for that short period, you’re all they need anyway! Anything unexpected can go on a credit card for a short time until your income comes back up too.

Prioritse your time off with your baby, breastfeeding as long as you and your baby want to and try not to worry, you’ll be back to full earning capacity soon and will catch up!

ItTook9Years · 09/04/2025 16:00

Did you not factor in contingencies on the house purchase? And cost of living increases? And the fact your pay would drop whilst on mat leave? These were all obvious up front, weren’t they?

ItTook9Years · 09/04/2025 15:56

You won’t pay tax on SMP if you’re on the normal tax code.

Hankunamatata · 09/04/2025 15:56

You either live on credit cards or go back to work.

Original poster
beaanna · 09/04/2025 15:53

5 years ago things were so much more affordable :(

OP posts: