Due in May 2014? Pregnant with an Appleseed, Sweet Pea, Blueberry, Raspberry or Green Olive? Then come and join the Maybies

[impatientlywaiting]

Hello and welcome to all new and old Maybies.

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kri5ty what do you do that's so dangerous? Intrigued!

ThePFJ I'm so jealous - I want to speak to a midwife.

Morning all and Happy Monday (hmm). It's not a good start to the week - all I want to do is think about the little munchkin which is making work really hard (read - impossible). Must get focused. I nearly bought so much stuff yesterday as I found some gorgeous baby clothes stores online - thankfully I resisted (for now) by advising myself to wait for discount vouchers which will make me feel better about buying early. Downloaded a couple of different pregnancy apps instead.

DH and I have told our friends who helped us through ICSI and I've told my 2 bosses - aside from that we're going to wait until after the 12 weeks scan - which is in the next four weeks (please send me a date soon!)!

7+4

Lol squiffie I'm a stunt woman!
ok, I'm not. It's nothing exciting, i work on board a certain high speed train company.. Travelling at 125mph leaves you open to being a human pinball, and always covered in bruises where you get thrown in to things. Plus have to carry heavy boxes/ lug heavy carts around

So pretty much as soon as you find out, your taken off them x

I like the idea that you're a stunt woman better I'm going to pretend I didn't read the rest

I'm a childminder in the day and work in a call centre at night so no danger here!

Wow, I'm in awe of you... Having children all day and still having the energy for a second job!

Hey

Need a bit of advice. I had a private dating scan done last week which shows me to be 8+1 today. But I'm supposed to go for my 12 weeks nt+ scan this afternoon on the nhs. I've called and emailed the hospital and left messages saying my dates were wrong, I'm only 8 weeks. I've called and texted the midwife and she's not replied and no one has told me whether I still need to go or not. Do you think they'll still want to see me? Should I go?

Still go Hun... As if it wasn't for the private one you wouldn't have known. Some nhs do from 8 weeks anyway. Its only to date you. . It doesn't have to be at 12 weeks.

if anything you might get an extra one. ;-)

Just read nt+ bit

id still go... If they cant do it you will get another scan and chance to see :D

I only do 16 hours in the call centre its just my weeken shifts are crap (9pm-1am) but other than that its like a break! Lol x

I'd still go for the scan too and hope they've not cancelled it without saying

Squiffie im a childminder too, how on earth do you have the energy to have a second job in the evening?! I find it hard enough to cook dinner when I finish work!

Ps... Please can someone add me to the sparkly spreadsheet... I can't do it!

due 27th May, dc2

thanks you please!

dobe definitely go - it's always best to play along with the NHS even when you think they're in the wrong - better to see a human being and explain than try and reach the right people by phone (who may not care that much).

What's nt+? you think having dc3 I'd know this stuff

Thanks guys, it's such a shame that I'll have to have some time off work for another scan

Also it's interesting that some of you are childminders. The job I do now has me working more than 50 hours a week and being on call 24/7 half the time as well so I don't see how I can come back to it after baby is born. I'm considering registering as a childminder because we can't afford for me not to work after 6 months. any tips?

mumof2 I only have before and after school kids other than on one day. Like I said, the call centre is a break from the madness!

Dob go for it, best career change I made and I really enjoy it. I have my own two aged 9 and 3 as well as three others 5, 2.5 and nearly 2. Plus you can put a certain % of your earnings against bills (council tax, heating etc) so reduces your tax payment. Its a vit of a pain to get used to the self employed tax return paperwork but your local authority will help you with that. I earn more money now than when I worked in an office and I get to spend time with my own children.

Start your research now dobedo, find out what demand there is, how much other local minders charge, what the registration process in your area is etc.

Find out what your local council expect from you in terms of training etc and what support they offer as it varies massively from one area to the next.

Also ask yourself if you're willing to give over at least part of your home to a business and be prepared for other people to forget that it is actually your home!

Oh and then remember that its not just looking after children but a shit load of paperwork too!

Don't get me wrong I do enjoy it and the freedom it gives me to spend time with my own kids but I always put forward the 'unseen' side then if you're not put off then great

Yes o agree with squiffie it is a lot of paperwork and you do have to accept that a chunk of your home will be abused by children! I enjoy my job as I dont think I ever truly grew up and love being able to act silly without it being questioned :)

Defo check out what squiffie said otherwise you'll comeun stuck. My area's great as there is a high demand so price is high.

I know my area is high in demand because it took me so frigging long to find a childminder for my ds! I could always ask her for advice, but I want to wait until I'm at 12 weeks before I start telling people.

dobedo just thought if let you know that two of my friends had early dating scans at about 8 weeks and then didn't get another until 20 weeks. Maybe go and explain what has happened and see what they say?

I'm an ex childminder, I stopped as when we moved house I couldn't find any clients. Expect the kids to abuse your house, to work even when ill, to loose money by taking days off for holiday. Parents can abuse you, they forget your self employed and working in your home won lots of children rather than working solely for them.

It's tough work, with lots and lots of paper work and ofsted who can be intrusive, rude and just down right stupid (letting a 1 year old pour their own drink in an open cup anyone?

Spending the day doing school pick ups and drop offs without much interaction with the children. Sharing your time between lots of children leaving limited time with your own.

It can be a very rewarding job but there are also a lot of downsides. Do your research and know what it are letting yourself in for!

I used to be a childminder too! was for 5 years when my three were littler, it was definitely a great way to stay at home with mine and still earn money...I gave it up nealry 3 years ago, partly as we moved house and I had less work, partly because my middle child really hated it and played up a lot when the mindees were here, and partly because I remembered the two things I really really wanted to do/be when I was a child...a writer and someone who works with dogs...!
I now do both. Have self-published three books, and spend the rest of my time walking dogs for people. I also foster rescue dogs. Much easier and less paperwork than childminding!
Not sure how this baby will effect all of that. Will try to keep writing but can see it being a lot less due to tiredness. Dog walking will have to go on as it brings in regular money

Hi ladies.

Checking in here from the April group due to revised EDD. This will be my 5th dc - has come as a bit of a shock as DP had the snip after DC3!

EDD 3/5/14. Feel like I've been pregnant forever and would love to stop feeling ill.