Going back to work after having a baby

[sleepdeprived1982]

I have a 2year old LG. We decided to try for another baby which happened pretty quickly, hence I didn't go back to work in between.
I had been working for the family firm and earned a hefty maternity pay until 6 months with my first baby but understandably as I hadn't returned to work and all pay had ceased I don't receive anything apart from maternity allowance this time.
The maternity allowance is minimal however my husband seems to think I am rolling in it. I have pointed out that I only spend money on food or the children.
He isn't an arse by any means and pays for everything else but I do think he thinks I swan around doing sweet FA.
I live off my overdraft and a credit card. I am selling everything I can on eBay- it's annoying as the profit is minimal.
He announced tonight that I will have to go back to work when my maternity allowance dries up in March. My baby will be 5 months old. We had always agreed he would be a year.
I've said I will do a bar job which he doesn't want me to do!!
I won't earn enough to justify childcare until DD gets free hours and even then I need a good job - so I've told him to source childcare. It won't work financially for 2 children and I will be lucky to find a job that pays enough part time to justify it!
I didn't leave my daughter until she was 2 although had I not been pregnant it would have been 1.5. I don't like the way this baby is being kicked to the side because suddenly we 'can't afford it'
I don't know what to do.

What hours does your husband work? Could you do like evenings and weekends? That's what my husband and I do

My mum worked evenings and weekends while my dad did day shifts. It sucked for them, they never saw each other, but we always had one of them and they didn't have to pay out

If it's a family firm is the no position for you there? Why did you not go back after DC1? Even part time there would be better paid than bar work surely? Perhaps if you had that lined up to go back to after say nine months (common for a lot of people on mat leave) he might feel less pressured about finances and being the only earner.
You need to sit down with your bank accounts and have an open realistic chat about money, so he can see how little you have this time and so you know exactly what your family's financial position is.

I also think this is about communication. You should have joint finances (or class your household income as joint).

He's adamant that he doesn't want me to work evenings... I dot particularly want to but at the same time it would mean I could still be with our children without the cost of childcare.
I have a rather expensive car that he bought for me 6 months ago. I feel it is constantly over my head. I would rather a shit heap to get me from a to b.
I just feel really trapped as I will not be leaving my baby when I didn't leave our daughter.

he doesnt get to tell you when you can work or what job you can do, its your life.

Are you saying that you are expected to pay for your family food and everything for the children on maternity allowance?

if he is otherwise a reasonable man he clearly just doesnt get it because you have been coping so well. He needs to be disabused of the notion that you have it easy. You need to have a serious chat with him.

if he isn't just being naive then he is a dick and you would be better off financially and emotionally without him.