Would it be better for your children to stay at home or pay their university education (or house deposit)

[assumetheposition]

This is a genuine question. I realise I am in a fortunate position so please don't turn this into a 'you don't know you're born' thread.

After DS1 was born I went back to work 3 days a week at 12 months. I left my job after DS2 was born as we relocated. He is now 13 months and I have been doing a bit of (very) sporadic freelancing over the last 6 months.

Now DH earns OK money - not massive amounts but just about average. We are looking to buy a house but want no more than 3x DH's salary.

Both my parents have died so I inherited a chunk of money. A lot has gone into our house deposit, and we have rainy day savings of about 6 months money.

I invested the rest years ago in ISAs/shares with the intention that, in 18 years time, it would either pay for their university or house deposit.

Thing is, we don't have that much money anymore. DH's salary covers our month to month living but nothing extra (clothes, holidays, class fees etc). I have to pay a childminder to look after DS2 even when I am not working to keep the space. I have reached the point where either I have to look for a proper job, or sell some of the investments to tide me over.

My question is, would it be better for my children to use some of the money now, to enable me to stay at home for the next year or so, or would they be better served having that nest egg later on.

DH is of the opinion that I should earn more now, so we can pay off the mortgage early etc etc - but I feel that they are little for such a short period, I don't mind working to pay off the mortgage when they are older and don't need me so much.

What would you do.

That's long - sorry.

as far as i see it you've already answered your question when you said you'd struggle to find a part-time job and that you left your previous one to freelance - it sounds like making a real go of the freelance is what you want to do AND the most practical thing to do.

personally i wouldn't worry about helping your children onto the housing ladder, you never know how thier lives will turn out - i didn't WANT to be tied down to owning a home until i was in my 30s as before i enjoyed moving around and travelling for work.

university is different - you need to keep a basic amount saved for fees but there's no need to go over the top. there is nothing wrong with taking out student loans if necessary when the time comes.

Well as soon as both kids are at school you will have a lot of time free to work with no childcare expenses, provided your freelance work can fit into school hours?

It would be hard to save this money again, so from that point of view it would be a shame to spend it - can you perhaps get a couple of evening or weekend shifts somewhere until the kids are at school?

I don't think it is a good idea to permanently spend more than you earn and to use your savings to pay for it but if you need time to build up a bigger client base and can pay back the savings later on then that seems like a reasonable plan?

Its a tough decision to make by the sounds of it but I am sure you will find a good way through!