Advice please! DSIS tackling single parenthood

[Planningaplan]

My DSIS is pregnant. .

It wasn't a planned pregnancy and the father is not involved. Or he is? He was pushing for an abortion early on but now wants to be 'supportive'. Hasn't really clarified what he means by this.

Regardless, DSIS is very happy and is keeping the baby. I went to support her at her scan last week and all is well so she's feeling positive.

She keeps asking for advice as I have children myself, but my family setup is very different so I don't have a lot of answers. I want to help her as much as I can and give practical and emotional support. Having a baby is hard and there's a lot to think about!

I need advice from the wise people of mumsnet to help her through as best I can.

Get her to sign up and get some support.

Honestly I'd tell her to just go with the flow. I was a single mum from the start and I just got on with it. I had plenty of support from family and DC father but I knew they wouldn't always be there and there would be no one to help with the night feeds, no one to take over if I needed a break so basically I just got on with it knowing there was only me generally day to day.
And to be honest it's been fine, actually it's been great! I got into my own routine with DC and didn't have to think about anyone else other than us.
I'm sure your DSIS will be a fab mum, just support her how you would normally and let her know you'll be there IF she wants the support. But please don't smother her as if you don't think she'll cope by herself, she will, she'll be fine.

Also get her to apply for UC at least 2 months before she goes on MAT leave (if she's working) then if needed they will top up her income and she won't have to wait the 6 week assessment time period.

@ineedafairygodmother thanks for this. She'll definitely be an incredible mum, I think I just worry about her because she's quite a bit younger than me. You're right though, I don't want to give her the impression that I think she won't cope, she'll be amazing!
She was asking some stuff specifically about UC, mat leave and parental rights for the father so thanks for the pointer!

The father will only have parental rights if he is on the birth certificate and he can only be on the birth certificate if he attends the birth registration with your DSIS.

Tell her to have a look at entitledto.co.uk now, but putting in details of child etc and it will tell her if/what UC she will be entitled to. Then her income (MAT pay minus £344) will be deducted from what she's entitled to and UC will pay her the difference.
So for example if she is entitled to £1000 UC and her basic MAT pay is £500 you would deduct £344 from £500 leaving £156. £156 will be deducted from the £1000 UC so your DSIS will be paid £500 MAT pay plus £844 UC monthly.

As long as she's given her employer the correct notice of her pregnancy she should be entitled to statutory MAT pay

Hope this helps