Wanting a baby, but the ifs and buts.

[Chant27]

Hello,
I just wanted some advice. Me and my partner have been together 8 years now and engaged and we are at that time where we would like a baby. I am 27 and working as a full time carer worker and he is 30 and works in a Monday to Friday job 9-5.

The only thing that's bothering us is the fact of child care, both my parents work full time and his mum does also, and my nan does so childcare is a big hurdle. It's so expensive like £50 a day! I could cut my hours down to 2 days a week working but would still have to find the childcare.

Another thing that's bothering us is the fact we only have a one bed flat, which would be fine for the first couple of years but can't afford to save for a house as it would take years.

We are trying to save but haven't mounts of money.

How does everyone cope, do you think now is a right time. Is there ever a right time? 🙁

Either you give up work and manage on a single income, you pay for childcare or you do what I did and find work you can do with kid(s) in tow. One bedroom is fine until around 2 years old. We managed on a single lowish income with no help and no benefits as we lived overseas, you have to be frugal, half our income was rent! But I found work I could do with my dd to supplement our meagre budget and h got pay rises enabling us to get a small house by the time dd2 was born. Most their things were second hand hand me downs or sale items, I wrapped up hand me downs for Christmas gifts even, toddlers don't care, they prefer the wrapping paper!

Parenthood means financial sacrifices and many don't have parents to help out regularly, so time it for when you are ready to manage on what you have and you can prepare by ensuring you don't have expensive gym memberships, tv contracts and you own your phones outright so you just have a basic flexible sim only deal. Do the numbers, how little can you actually live on if you don't spend on the extras? Does that equate to a single salary? Remember you can also work weekends etc to avoid childcare

If I were you I would take 6 months to a year and save as much money as you can. See what your income could be if you were really careful with money. Then investigate different options - childminder for example, work out what your maternity pay would be at your work, work out what your income would be if you worked less days - can you do more hours? Could your partner also drop a day or condense his hours? 1 bed is fine initially but then what if you want another child? Free childcare hours at age 3 - you might be able to move then? Look into tax free childcare options through your work too - that saves some money.

Also I agree with pp, I mainly buy second hand for my children, don't do expensive activities etc.

I’d try and get more space house wise before a little one comes along. We moved after we had our DD and found out they’d lend us a lot less as we had a dependent even though we earned more than before we had her.

Save save save

And maybe put away anything over what uou would get in mat allowance - which is about £600 a month - away for next year to help with savings

Yes a one bedroom is fine till they are about 2 tops

Childcare is a cost. I personally don’t believe grandparents should do childcare all week tho one day is nice

So either condense hours - chnage jobs - work evenings /weekends to save on childcare

It’s the first 2 ish years if fo back after a year till they are 3 abs free hours kick in

Some children get funding at 2 depending on family’s income

Tbh unless mega rich I don’t think anyone can afford chikdren. But uou adjust your belt as such

If you are a carer could you arrange to work evenings / weekends?

Go to the turn2us website and see if you would qualify for help towards childcare. Universal credit can cover up to 85% of childcare costs depending on your income.

Don't worry about the one bedroom. If you wait until you have a bigger house you could be waiting forever IMHO. You can work things out when any DC arrive.