Return to work or stay home?

[internallystumped]

I'm currently on maternity leave.

Nowhere near ready to decide whether to return to work yet or not as it's still early days but I like to be prepared.

Have recently been thinking about Christmas and Planning Summer holidays for next year. (Love to be prepared and plan!) Getting excited about it all until DP reminds me we won't be able to afford holidays or days out, etc.

I received SMP and money is tight but if I don't return to work money will be even tighter. We will be able to afford the basics, bills, rent, food, etc but won't have any left over for saving for Christmases or Holidays or days out.

So that makes me think I should definitely return to work. I don't want my LO to miss out because money is tight but on the flip to that I don't want to return to work Monday - Friday 8-5 and miss precious moments with LO.

Also worth considering is costs of childcare/nurseries etc if I do return to work. Not sure if we actually would be better off or not once those costs are factored. I don't even know where to start though in factoring those costs.

Any advice?

Anyone?

Maybe start looking into how much various childcare would cost full & part time and see if knowing how much more money you have helps to decide, remember even if you aren’t making much afterchild care when dc is 3 you will give 15 free hours until they start school.

Part time work? Opposite shifts?

Depends on so much. I could not have had 3 years off and then walked back into a similar job earning what I earn now. I also don't like small children much so for me it was a no brainer, the childcare costs were short term pain for long term gain.

There's so many variables it's making it quite tricky.

I don't think my employers would be able to offer me part time hours although that would be quite a good option but seems unlikely.

My wages aren't particularly high and it's not really a career or skilled profession although I enjoy it all the same.

The idea of looking for another job with different hours etc. fills me with dread. I've not much experience work wise and I'm dreadfully shy, terrible with interviews, etc. Was lucky I got my current job with my poor interview skills so finding another job feels unachievable for me.

Ive no idea where to begin in regard to looking at childcare costs and stuff and then was thinking about what I'd do in school holidays when the nurseries are shut.

Feel totally out of my depth.