to take an extra 3 months maternity leave when we really can't afford it??

[milkysmum]

ds is coming up to 4 months old. We also have a dd age nearly 3. Last time I went back to work after 6 months as we could not afford to manage on SMP only. I always felt afterwards this was too early and wished I'd have spent more time at home with my baby. This time I very early made the decision to take 9 months off and we would 'just somehow manage'. Reality is now creeping in as we are struggling on the already reduced wage. To afford the extra 3 months off we will need to take a 3 month mortgage payment and pretty much use a credit card for food bills etc. DH last night mentioned that maybe I will need to go back to work when ds is 6 months old not 9 months. So AIBU to put the family under financial pressure like this when i could go back to work earlier than originally planned? (If I could arrange nursery place sooner than I have already got it reserved for).

Well said Compos - exactly what I was thinking. You might haver more 3 months at home with them, but if it means a stressed Mummy and daddy for those 3 months/6 months/however long it takes to catch up the money is that in your children's best interests?

I think the issue is how skint you'll be. the OP hasnt said she wont be able to afford heat and food so perhaps a slightly drastic example there!
Are we talking accumulating £500 on a cc which you could pay off over the next year or are we talking putting your family in an actually quite shit debt situation. If its the first, that you would get debt but have a sensible time scale with which you can pay it off then i would go for it, if its doable i would take time with baby without question. But if not i think you'll need to bite the bullet and go back. If youre a community nurse have u looked at getting your tax back on washing uniforms as you can claim 6 years back which can go into the hundreds? Pop on money saing expert website and do their 40 steps to save money thing and see if theres any way you can scrabble some extra cash together. You can get a 18 month interest free CC's at the mo which make it a sensible choice for debt if thats what you'll need. Make sure youre not missing out on any litle money savers, things like free union membership whilst on mat leave, checking all your workign tax credits/child benefit etc are up to date, buying nappies in the half price sales on at the mo etc. Im currently trying ll these things to get as much mat leave as poss and its surprising where you can make the savings. Good luck.