Background - I am a mum of 2: DD age 2, DS age 7 months. Currently on maternity leave.
DS is breastfed on demand and still feeds every couple of hours through the day and feeds to sleep at nap times/bedtime. He will take a couple of oz from a bottle but no more, and he craves the comfort of the breastfeeds too. I have tried gradually cutting down but it makes him miserable.
Because of this, I'm worried about my return to work and how he will cope being left with grandparents. I've also always wanted to be a stay at home mum until the kids are school aged but it's not been possible financially.
DH has a good job but we need me to bring home around £1,000 per month to be comfortable financially. I'm lucky to have a reasonably well paid job where I earn this from 2 ten hour days per week.
My parents (who are in a very lucky position financially) sat me down last week and said they want me to have the option to stay at home with the kids, like my mum did for me. They offered to help support us financially so this would be possible. Which is obviously an immensely kind offer but completely unexpected and I was so shocked.
I have told my parents thank you so much but I'm unable to accept their offer of help as it really doesn't feel right, especially given we have unnecessary expenses (eg eating out occasionally, holiday booked for this year, new drive booked in). Why should they pay for us!?
However the conversation with my parents has made me realise how much I want to stay at home with the kids, and how much better it would work for our family, especially given DS's feeding. I realise that in the real world, there are loads of people that would love to do this but it just isn't always possible. But it's made me seriously consider either: a) completely changing our living standards so we can afford for me to be off. Or b) looking for a job with fewer hours/something that can be done from home.
My head is all over the place with it so any rational thoughts would be much appreciated!