Cost of living out of control

Agree one little baby terror - well put cogito.

Massive load of generalisations here- both my mum and grandmother worked as others did (I won't even go into The sherry fueled rant my mother had at a thread she read on here that also Said this as it is before the watershed).

What about fathers Doing their bit on parenting?

Wtaf about nurseries before one!!

And here was I thinking this thread was a serious discussion on inflation and economics .

CogitoErgoSometimes, I like this a lot

A mother's role is important but opting out of paid employment is a privilege not a right. Do not insult working mums just because you think you're too posh to get a job.

i returned to work when ds1 was born because if i hadn't the state would have had to keep me. i was (am) a single parent so yes work was down to needing to pay to live. tbh though, the thought of not returning didn't happen for me. i wanted to go back there was never a question of that. with ds2 i felt totally different. i was with EXP then and he earnt enough to keep us so i didn't return, i wanted to be at home with them. then EXP left and i was suddenly dependant on benefits for our living expenses. i'm looking for work now.

We would struggle if it's only my DH working. But it has never occurred to me to not work my whole life. I've always dreamed of having a fulfilling job, and a loving family. I love my job and I'd be gutted to give it up. Also, I felt quite bored during my maternity leave. The thought of going back to work was what kept me going.

My mum worked full time too.

The women have always worked in my family, mum worked nights so that she could be there for us during the day whilst we were growing up. I would love to go part time but I like what having a little extra means we can do at weekends, that we can afford a safe and decent car to drive around in, that we can spend time together as a family doing fun things.

If anything did happen to my parents who are my main source of childcare, then DH would have to give up work.

YABU. My experience as a seventies kid in a working class community is the same as ivykaty44's. All the women worked as standard in much more difficult circumstances than there are today. I've followed my mother's example and worked from DS being a baby... not because the government forces me to but because it's my right to be financially independent and economically active.

A mother's role is important but opting out of paid employment is a privilege not a right. Do not insult working mums just because you think you're too posh to get a job.

No, the government aren't going to support parents ( and I would emphasise I mean both, and not just mothers) to stay at home. Far better to have them working a paying tax. It is crap. People have to work more and more for the same returns.

I don't think there is much you can do about parents working away from the home.

My own mother worked, from home and so did many of my friends when I was at school in the 1970's, my grandmother worked and so did her mother.

I work and have done for all of 9 months when dd1 was a baby and 9 months when dd2 was a baby.

People are lucky to find work at all!
Why are you not asking the same questions about fathers?
Mine went to nursery well before 1yo. Because I was an uncaring old breeder wanted to keep my job.

Yy
I think most mums who work have little or no choice
I've reduced my hours as far as I can, whilst still being able to pay the mortgage
I work in a professional environment, and most people assume it is my choice to work
Most of my staff who are mums would give up full time work, or reduce their hours if they could

Well I went back to work because I chose to. Full time parenting was not good for my mental health. DH on the other hand chose to give up work and be a full time parent.

Incidentally I was a teacher at the time. We coped. Am also slightly that your post seems to assume that parenting is the sole preserve of mothers.