To ask who else is financially struggling after having a child?

[Alwayswiththechords]

Surely I can't be the only one? I'm unemployed, struggling to find a job because I can't find or afford childcare upfront, so we are living on my DP's minimum wages. I constantly have to pay bills late (including rent!!!) don't even want to think how low my credit rating is now. At the moment I do a lot of damage control to make sure I don't miss payments, or get into serious arrears but it's so tough. Please someone tell me I will survive this and I will find a job one day??????

Sorry to hear you're finding it tough. Have you a definite picture of all the benefits you are entitled to? If not there is a good website called 'entitled to' - sorry can't link from here.

We found it very tight until quite recently as I've been able to return to work again as the kids at school now. Have just got used to having no spare cash at all - not great but I hope things get better for you soon.

I went back part time after dd as we would end up with the same amount after child care and I would rather spend the time with her.

We are skint and all our accounts are in minus but hopefully after Christmas it will get a little better!

Do tax credits help? I find them essential to help with childcare and live on. I had to borrow money for first months chilcare (luckily daycare took credit card)

We are already getting all the benefits we are entitled to, tax credits etc. It doesn't help that DP's hours keep changing (0-hour contract) and we never really know how much income or benefits we are due. So budgeting is a challenge. Thankfully DP is a wizard when it comes to cooking with leftovers and I keep as tight a budget as I can. Just wished I had a job so I would feel more in control of our situation. Thankfully after Christmas things should ease as DP will have regular hours and we can juggle childcare between ourselves so no need to worry about that. Some light at the end of the tunnel at least!!

Can you get a job at times when your DP can babysit? I can't afford to do the career I trained for, as childcare and train fares would obliterate my salary. However, with an evening and weekend job at least I know my DS is being looked after at home, and that a big chunk of my cash isn't going on a nursery.

It will get better for us all! I am currently counting the days til Spring when my DS gets his 15 hours of free childcare. That will be a big relief.

Have you checked hb? With a child and a minimum wage job you should be entitled.

I get that it must be tough at the moment but why don't you use your current time at home to do an open university course or something like that (which you can do from home)?
Then when your DC is school aged in a few years you will be qualified in something and will be able to start looking at jobs which pay significantly more than minimum wage!