Worrying about SMP - suggestions needed.

[summerlovinvibes]

Soon to go on maternity leave with my second child. Will receive SMP like a lot of people in the UK. Will be different to our first child for a number of reasons - mainly the fact that my DD1 was born at the start of covid and spent most of my leave in lockdowns, so didn't spend much as didn't go out much. Also, a summer baby, no need for heating, but this one will be heading into winter and with the cost of energy prices now, heating &
electric is on my mind!

Looking for suggestions / ways to make some extra money whilst on leave. Will be doing obvious things such as selling some stuff when no longer needed etc. but will also have a toddler this time, and be able to go to baby groups which will obviously cost money.

Any ideas?

Have also posted in money matters.

Bumping this myself

Hey, I would contact your local welfare rights team for a benefit maximization check. They can tell you what other benefits you may be entitled too. If your on SMP only, you may be eligible for universal credit to help top up during this time. They can also advise other benefits you may be eligible for. I contacted my local welfare rights, due to the money my husband and I bring in, we are only eligible for £60 a month - which is something! Plus, you get your child credit, roughly £21.80 per week (in Scotland) or a bit less if it's your second child.

In terms of baby groups, I'll be attending voluntary based ones. Usually local churches have lots of baby & toddler groups for £3 for example. Check your local churches / center's.
My area has a group called 'home start' and it's run by volunteers with free 'buggy walk' sessions and other group sessions for free. Maybe contact your local authority, children's service for a list of free or affordable mum and baby groups.
I've personally found loads of local groups on FB.

I'm due in October & we have a pay as you go electric metre  but everyone's told me baby's are easier to keep warm than to cool them down. They just need an extra layer or two, higher toggle sleeping bags etc. so during the day, you may not need any heating & maybe a heater on for an hour during the night or so. I don't think heating needs to be on 24/7, just wrap baby up nife and warm  also, speak to your midwife as I'm sure they will give the same advice as mines did and offer other suggestions.

Ps, I am a worried first time mum having winter baby too! But more reassured having spoken to midwife's etc about my concerns and them offering some good advice. All the best!! X

@summerlovinvibes No advice to offer but some solidarity as I am the same boat. I changed jobs just before finding out I was pregnant so whilst my company have a great maternity pay policy, I unfortunately don't qualify. My maternity pay with my first was pretty decent plus we were in lockdown so it wasn't really able to spend any of it anyway.
This time, I have a toddler and we have just moved to a new house so much larger overheads. I think DH earns too much for my to qualify for anything other than Maternity Allowance and Child Benefit which are not means tested. I know we are very fortunate for that but I am seriously worried with the rise in the cost of living as to how we will make ends meet, especially with a toddler to entertain and heating and food costs.

We are new to our area so I asked for advice from the health visitor for free things to do with him and joined some Facebook groups for local mums in the hope that will give me some ideas too. All the best and know you are not the only one in this situation, it's a really tough time.

Thank you so much for your reply. I will have a look into some bits you've suggested - especially charity run baby groups instead of the more costly ones. I suspect we won't be entitled to any additional government support as I've done the online calculators with my husbands salary, but your comments have given me a boost to contact the local office and at least ask the question incase I've missed something.

Thanks @Pinktruffle . Will ask my HV when I next have contact with them - should be due a check with my toddler sometime ... I think! Similar to you - I moved to a new village with my first during the first week of first lockdown, and knew no-one! So I feel for you too - tough times. I actually ended up creating a village watssap group by putting an advert in the local village store as they stayed open in lockdown and there are now loads of mums on it - always someone going to the park or looking for a walking companion etc. Best of luck, and best of luck to both of us for this round of SMP / winter baby etc.

But like above poster said, blanket layers are easier on a small baby :) x