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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take 12 months mat leave in this position?

39 replies

saphi3 · 26/03/2024 13:12

DH’s salary covers all our essential outgoings including food and all the bills we must pay.

My salary is slightly lower but what we use for disposable income; covers anything and everything from clothes, shoes, Christmas presents, savings, meals out etc.

I get close to my full wage for the first 7 months, then it’s SMP for 9 weeks then 13 weeks unpaid. We are trying to save a bit now but finding it difficult with everything we will need to buy and also wanting to enjoy some date nights and weekends away before baby comes along.

Would you find it doable to have the full year off given you’ve no disposable income for a good 4/5 months of it? I would do KIT days and DH could do overtime… or AIBU to think I can have so long off?

OP posts:

EasterBunnny · 26/03/2024 14:12

Could you tag on some annual leave to 9 months maternity leave?

DanceMumTaxi · 26/03/2024 14:15

Also, I think if you really want 12 months then you need to focus on saving more now. Weekends away are nice, but they’re expensive. Maybe save for maternity leave instead?

Bushmillsbabe · 26/03/2024 14:22

Very doable from my own experience. From when I got pregnant I saved around £250 a month for a year into a high interest bond, so ended up with about £3200. I got 2 months full and 4 months 80% pay. Then SMP of around £700 a month for 3 months. So this gave me £1000 a month for the 3 unpaid months. My husbands salary didn't quite cover all the bills so I used a half of this £1000 towards bills and the other half was our spends. Yes we had to economise but I felt the time with my child was a higher priority than nights out etc for me. Plus you also get about £100 a month child benefit which covers nappies and formula. In total, with accrued AL I had about 14 months off with both my girls. Yes it was a stretch, but definitely doable

skyeisthelimit · 26/03/2024 14:47

If you want to save then cut out the date nights and weekends away. You can't afford everything so need to choose which you need most, savings or date nights? You are having a baby and your life and your priorities change.

Find out what baby stuff is essential and what is a waste of money. look out for good quality second hand stuff.

I took a 14 months off as had to leave work 2 months early due to SPD, then took full leave paid and unpaid (no enhanced package only SMP), and took all my holiday entitlement spread over the last 2-3 months.

Whatifthehokeycokey · 26/03/2024 15:34

Have you factored in child benefit?

Original poster

saphi3 · 26/03/2024 15:39

Whatifthehokeycokey · 26/03/2024 15:34

Have you factored in child benefit?

OP posts:

Scottishskifun · 26/03/2024 15:45

Honestly try and save some now and also when on full pay. Tax back and KIT days do help but it's a painful drop.
Also not everything for a baby needs to be brand new (clothing especially under 6 months most bundles are nearly new).

Don't waste cash on non essentials til baby arrives especially the likes of bouncers etc as there is a strong chance they might hate it! DS1 hated every type from bouncer to rocking seat. Same goes with slings go along to a sling library when baby is born and see which one you find easiest and they like and save £100ish!

macaronip1e · 26/03/2024 15:51

Like others have mentioned, if you’re worried about the financial side I’d consider what you can do with the annual leave you will accumulate over your mat leave. Depending on your entitlement, that could give you a month or so at full pay that you can tag onto your mat leave.

Hiddendoor · 26/03/2024 19:44

I maybe wouldn't go for the full year. But:

You'll have child benefit from when the baby is born, and you'll have annual leave accrued from when you go on maternity leave. You'll probably have around a month of leave to take, on full pay.

Add in some KIT days too. So maybe aim for 10 months?

Dacadactyl · 26/03/2024 19:46

Yes of course you can manage to have 12 months off.

Katela18 · 27/03/2024 06:28

I did this, once I was on mat leave I basically would save a percentage of my salary each month to help cover the months later down the line when I would be off. I had also saved about 1.5 months salary beforehand too.

Then on the unpaid months we did live a bit cheaper - no big trips out or expensive dinner to make the money go further.

Soontobe60 · 27/03/2024 06:33

I would suggest you practice living on one salary for a couple of months now then you can see what it’s like. I’d be saving up as much as I could now - so forget the date nights and weekends away. There’s nothing worse than being broke with a baby and having to return to work earlier than you’d like for financial reasons.

PansyOatZebra · 27/03/2024 08:43

Lilly11a · 26/03/2024 13:14

I d say honestly if you can't save anything at the moment with 2 wages coming in , you are going to struggle on one .

What is the plan for childcare when you go back to work ?

This!

From what you described I thought you were going to say you save your wage… but given that’s spent too I think you’d struggle.

Im on mat leave now and only taking 9 months. We can’t afford the three months of no pay. Everyone in my baby group is also only taking 9 as no one can afford no pay for three months.

Ponoka7 · 27/03/2024 11:48

It's a matter if priorities. If you have family childcare it isn't like the weekends away/date nights etc are going to stop for sixteen years. You can't save because you are choosing to spend money on other things. You don't need as much stuff as the baby books etc tell you. The first few months after having a baby is usually low spending (bar heating). Have discussions about Christmas etc and see were you can make savings.

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