Twin Mums- do you work or are you a SAHM?

[Mumtoalittlegirl]

Hello everyone,

I’m almost 10 weeks pregnant and I know from an early scan (due to some intuition!) that there’s two babies. I also have a little girl who will be 3 years old when they’re born.

We’re really excited but very scared of going through the baby stage, as we struggled so much with DD (colic/ allergies).

I’m starting to think of long term plans, we’re due to exchange contracts soon on what will hopefully be our forever home (more expensive than where we live currently!).

One thing I’m struggling with is that it’s very likely I will be unable to go back to work- due to the childcare costs. And also the general logistics of getting 3 kids to school/ nursery and dealing with illness/ school holidays etc.

I’m excited of the thought of being a SAHM although I have some reservations as it’s not something I’ve done before except for my first mat leave, I currently work part time and it works well but I just can’t see it working with twins? Financially or otherwise. I do feel a bit sad though that the working part of my life may be over, at least for a good few years.

I’m just wondering what most people with twins do? Have you just accepted the high childcare costs or did you decide to take some time out?

Thanks in advance.

Went back when they were 3, best decision I’ve ever made!

Most of the twin mums I know work part time but they all have family support for at least some days per week. We don’t have any, and our twins both have disabilities so childcare is very tricky now they’re past the nursery stage.

I took on a very part time job (5 hours a week) when they were about 1, my DH works from home so could cover me. At 2 we got 15 hours free nursery a week as they both received DLA but they were off sick so much it was a good job I wasn’t working more as I would have lost my job (especially the full month where one then the other had chicken pox).

At 3 they started going to nursery 3 days a week. We got some tax credits towards nursery fees.

They’re now 4 and at a specialist school. Would be very hard for me to work a regular job due to holidays, no wraparound clubs or holiday clubs. I still have my very part time job and restarted my own business.

Most of my friends with twins are working 3-5 days a week now, with childminders or grandparents after school.

I went back to work when twins were 1 and older children were 4 and 5. I started a masters on mat leave and finished just before twins turned 2. Everyone thought I was mad (not just working but studying too) but it has helped me earn more. We had a crap few years spending loads of money on childcare but it's been worth it for where my career is now. Also.. Should note that was a SAHM for 2.5 years from first being born to second being 1. And only ever worked 4 days since returning. But still managed to get promotions and increase salary.