Should I go back to work?

[GeorgiaDeBelle]

I'm kind of stuck with what to do- and need some advice. my DD is turning 1 soon and I'm due to return to work after maternity leave. I always loved my job and I have good friends there.

The only issue is, me and DH have looked into nurseries/childcare, and it seems for me to go back to work full time- it would almost be pointless, as the cost for nursery is pretty much the same as my wage. We both live in a city around 2 hours from our parents so friends/family childcare is not an option. I work in a recruitment at a university and really enjoy it. I also love DD and I know it would be a shame to be away from her nearly all of the day.

I'd even consider going back part time, but a part time wage would have the same issue and I'm not sure work would even offer this.. We can't really cover the household bills with DH wage alone so i'd have to go on some sort of benefits. I'm kind of stuck with what to do, I'd love to career progress but financially we'd definitely be worse off and even with career progression, I dont believe my wages would go up for a couple of years.

I've considered staying at home with DD until she's 3, and we can apply for childcare funding, but know by then we'd be looking at baby number 2!

What kind of benefits do you get as a SAHM? My mum worked and all my friends do, so this is the first time I've ever/would be on benefits?

Has anyone else given up work until their child starts school?

DH is on around 28,000 a year before tax and I was on 22,000. We live in the South East. Our rent is £800.00 for a two bed flat and we can't really cut these costs down as it's already cheap for our area and DH has a reasonably good job with a good progression for the future.

Have you checked on Entitled to to see if you could claim anything if you were not working?

You may not be entitled to anything except child benefit, not sure about universal credit though.

Why not go back part time if possible, & see? It’s not necessarily easy to get back into work when your kids go to school. If you have a job you enjoy I would try to keep it going. I’ve been a mostly SAHM for 10 years, so see it from the other side!

I work in a University OP and went back to work part-time after ML. My employers were massively supportive of me going part-time and then, as my children got older, slightly increasing my hours (although remaining 3 days a week). I have also had a promotion to a higher grade in that time. Public Sector employers are much more likely to offer flexible and part-time working (and working from home)

Remember that the years of paying for childcare are relatively short compared to the years of work ahead of you. Try and keep your hand in - even if it is only for a couple of days a week.

I agree if you have a job you enjoy and good friends then its worth giving it a go going back to work. Have you done a budget plan to see how manageable it is? Do childcare vouchers still exist? I used those and that saved some money towards nursery fees. It is a huge cost but you need to think of the longer term when your little one is at school what then? It can be hard to get a decent paying job if you have been out of the labour market for a few years and your salary is a decent one. Your childcare costs will go down as well when your child turns 3. I would definitely try it and if it is too much you could leave, but give it a go first. If you leave without trying to return you won't know if its doable.

I worked for 'nothing' for three years due to childcare costs. But working maintained my skills and sanity, and my pension looks great. Think long term.

Even if you are only breaking even with childcare, it can be worth going back to keep contributing to a pension and keep your CV up to date

Uni may ha r own daycare at subsidised rate. Even if your only breaking even or small loss it's worth it not to give up a good job. Plus you will be entitled to help with cost of childcare.

I'd definitely think about the long term. Being out of work for a few years can play havoc with your confidence. Why don't you enquire about going part time?

Wow, you’re admitting that DC1 is a struggle which is likely to mean you will need benefits, but you’re also planning DC2?

Yes. I would go back to work if I were you.

I became a sahm sort of by accident, as I was made redundant while on maternity. I’m really struggling now to get back into work and am having to retrain. This is probably a good thing for me, as I wasn’t THAT happy in my previous job. If you like your job I would definitely try to go back. Do ask about PT though, if that’s what you want. I think employers are quite flexible these days.

I don’t get any benefits at all as a sahm. Not a sausage!

I know it's against the grain but your Lo is only young once. If you're only breaking even then why not make the most of the time you can have together.

Every single person I know who took a few years off assuming that once the time was right they would go back...never went back.

Think about your pension contributions etc... as well.
Have you looked at child minders?
They can be cheaper than nurseries.
You may also get childcare vouchers from your employers which would save you some money.
Really look at everything.

as the cost for nursery is pretty much the same as my wage

Try going back to work - working pays into your pension and keeps your sanity (IMHO).

I would second a child minder. We saved about £300 per month moving from a nursery to a child minder.

Can either you or your DH work compressed hours, e.g. 5 days in 4?

I agree that it's better right to go back to a job you enjoy even if it seems to be 'for nothing' as it is likely to be worth it in the long run. Part time is ideal IMO! Look into childcare vouchers to pay for nursery.

I'm a SAHM and we get no benefits except for child benefit. Have a look on the entitled to website and look into tax free childcare. In my area childminders are a bit cheaper than nurseries and with one dc I think p retty much every one is 'in profit' by working. If you can't survive on your dh's salary alone and your salary will only just pay for childcare for one dc you can't even contemplate a second surely? In your position I would return to work and take full advantage of tax free childcare and local childminders. If you are planning a second you would also qualify for a second mat leave. Would you have to pay any mat pay back if you didn't return to work?

Does your employer offer childcare vouchers? This makes a difference. Also, childminders can be cheaper.

It might sound at first as though your wages will be swallowed by childcare, but this is not always the case.

It helps your pension to stay employed.

Have you looked at nurseries yet to do a proper budget or are you just assuming the costs?

I don't think you would get anything except child benefit OP as your DH wage takes you over the threashold for tax credits, which was formally £26 000 cut off if you have one child.

I would just offer that going back to work is an investment in yourself and worth it if you love your job. Have a think about part time if that’s an option. It’s what I did and it worked great for me even if it meant I wasn’t earning a lot over childcare costs. Now my DC is in school I am still in the work place and not starting from scratch.

Long term going back will probably be better financially. It will also probably be better for you personally if you love your job.

I was a sahm for 5 years. All i got was child bens.
My partner was expected to support us.

Plus uni tends to have good pension schemes

I'd go back and see how it goes. One of you may get a promotion. When they are 3 you will have funded hours and then school. Unless you plan being a sahm forever. When they are school age, you may find it hard to go back, and you'd be on a lower salary than if you'd stayed. From a tx perspective it works out best to have 2 lower salaries than one large one. In my opinion childcare should come out of the family poto not be compared to one persons salary