Can I afford to be a stay at home Mum?

[fixuplooksharp]

Advice/help please?
I am currently working 3 days a week with DS6 and DS2 switching between school, preschool, my mum and a childminder on the days I work.
I am pregnant with DC number 3 and would really like some more time at home this time, I can spend more time with the baby, doing school runs and spending time with the children after school, rather than them being with a childminder.
My options are - to change my hours at work, so I work only school hours, but this would be a little tricky in school holidays because I would still have to work. Although I VERY much doubt my employer will agree to a change in my hours.
The other option is to be a stay at home Mum, even if just for a year or so. But I have no idea what help is available for this, is there any income/benefits provided for stay at home parents? I would love to say, money sin't an issue etc but in all honesty it very much is, I still have bills to pay, which my husband and I share, but my current income obviously contributes for this and other expenses.
Just wondered if anyone knows anything about this or where I can easily obtain an idea to any income available?
Thanks :)

You should be entitled to tax credits (depending on dh income) you won't be entitled to jsa or income support as you've left your employment voluntarily and your dh is employed. Go on tax credits calculator on hmrc website it should give you an idea of how much your entitled too

is there any income/benefits provided for stay at home parents?

Not specifically no. You'll get child benefit but anything else will be completely dependent on your dh's income. What will be happening with your Mat leave- could that not add up to nearly a year?

Hi Nicky Mat leave is only 39 weeks for me, the standard, so that will be nice to be at home then, it's just accomodating the eldest two before and after school when I return to work, I was hoping not to go down the childminder route if poss. My work are not very family friendly at all and after seeing the way another lady was treated after returning from mat leave and wanting to change hours very slightly, I'm pretty sure they won't change mine either.