To have kids without having a career?

[Charlotte45]

I’m really ready for a baby now-I am 26, however I don’t have a very well paid job (it’s not terrible but not major money) DH is also ready for children. Are you ever ready?

You are not being unreasonable, but if you do want to build a career at some point it may be easier to consider this before having dc.

if you can provide for the child, it’s entirely your choice. If you don’t have support from parents/family, it’ll be hard work managing work and childcare.

How are you going to pay for everything they need?

You don't NEED a career at all. As long as you can pay for your kids. Also consider how you would support them and yourself if you and your partner split.

You’ve got a job. It’s generally easier to study or climb ladder child free. But some careers are better with life experience. Lots of people retrain in their 30s. As long as you can cover bills and have a plan for after baby work/childcare wise then there’s no reason not to if you both want to.

It's your call. There are pros and cons to every life choice.

It's definitely easier to study and work up the ladder a bit pre-kids, and that experience often also gives you the skills and clout to have more flexibility post kids. But it's not impossible to do it later, just harder.

I think its a bit short sighted, tbh. If you have 2 kids 2 years apart (which I think is pretty average) you'll be redundant as a SAHM by the time you're 33, and at that point you'll be 32 years + away from retirement and in the position of starting from scratch after a lonnnnng hiatus with no relevant experience. You'll struggle to re-establish, and your pension will take a huge hit. Not to mention how vulnerable you'll be if your relationship ends or your partner dies. If I were you I'd put two or three years into establishing a career and then go part time at most while your kids are small.

@MolliciousIntent I’ve just said I don’t want to give up my job to do it…I will be returning part time?

Where did you say that?! Your OP just says that your job is not very well paid. Doesn't mention anything about not quitting.

Lots of people have children without having careers, probably most people. Just organise yourself to manage and don't worry about what others say.

Do you have somewhere to live (suitable for kids) and financial stability? If not, I would work on that - it will be much harder to save for a house, etc if you have childcare cost

Sorry! I thought I had put that in my OP. My job is 11.50 per hour, so not amazing money..I will return 3 days pw after baby is born?

We have a house On low mortgage yes

11.50 an hour is a lot more than what a lot of people earn! If you want to do it, go for it. 26 is the perfect age to start having kids.

I have to say I made sure we were married, had bought a house and I’d done my degree and had qualified in my profession before having a baby-that was important to me. I was 25 when I had my first. Each to their own though.

what would you do for childcare ?

@Shinyandnew1 nursery?

If you're both ready and financially ok then go for it. I had my 1st at 35 and 2nd at 37. Pretty sure I'd have found out easier with the energy of my mid 20s. Also there's no guarantee it'll happen quickly. If there's fertility problems it's better to find out sooner with time on your side.

Not sure why people are assuming you'll be a SAHM just because your income isn't particularly high. It isn't the 1950s. I earn less than you p/h by the way and went back 4 days.

I had never had a career when I had my first at 20. 22 years on still don't have one and have been very happy.

Benefit top up if you're entitled to anything. People from all walks of society have kids and manage.

@Shinyandnew1 you sound delightful. I guess you also paid off that mortgage in ten years and brought up your children bilingual as well.

It depends what sort of lifestyle you want for yourself and your kids, have you got a family home sorted allready? As others said ideally you want to be married, own a house and have a career sorted first beforehand, otherwise your end up renting or like others having to survive on universal income which from reading other people's posts isn't that great and most wish they had their finances sorted out first beforehand

We did this. I'm now 28 with two little ones, still no career, after years of applying for a specific training programme I was finally offered a place but at a location that was not my preference and I have decided it is not feasible to do it due to the logistics with the kids. I earn a little over minimum wage and work 4 days a week despite having a first class degree and Im facing the prospect of now becoming a SAHM - not really through choice - but because childcare costs for the two of them are a lot more than my current wage so it would be impractical to return. Meanwhile, DH who was a PG student when we had our eldest is working FT in a professional occupation in healthcare earning about £40k. Make of all that what you will I suppose! Do I have regrets? No. Is this where I expected/hoped I'd be job/money wise at this point? Definitely not. I was very naive I will admit. Plus also a close relative used to help us with childcare but is now seriously ill and unable to do so. So I have also learnt how life is short and unpredictable too.

@MrsGHarrison87 won’t be entitled to any benefits as DH earns a lot!

We had our DS at 23 we had both only qualified a year previously. Since then I've had two promotions and am now the senior of a department. My parents had DS so we didn't pay childcare, as long as you have a plan on how you will finance a return to work I wouldn't worry about it. Baby are cheap they seem to get more expensive the older they get

I suppose what I mean is it I decide on a career afterwards will I be able to do it?