How to afford maternity leave?

[Frida9]

Hi, just wondering what others are planning to do to afford maternity leave? I'm due in February and everyone (my mum, sister, mother-in-law, boss) is saying I should take a full years maternity leave because I'm entitled and I'll love being with baby. I'm not doubting I'll love it but I'll be surviving on £12k after tax next year and really can't afford that. Basically my husband will be left to pay the mortgage and all bills which I feel really guilty about, his work is manic and stressful as it is.
Am I being daft to think about going back after 9 months? I'm planning on staying at my current job for 3 months once I go back (legally need to for my maternity pay) and looking for a better paid job after that (currently public sector so really bad wages).

I went back after 9 months because from 9 to 12 months would have been unpaid and we just couldn't afford that. You go back whenever you feel ready, or whenever you feel the need to. Don't let anyone else make that decision for you. You also don't need to make the decision right now. In my work (and I think for most places?) you just need to give 8 weeks notice of when you plan to return. So you have plenty of time to see how you feel about returning work and how your finances are at the time and whether you feel you can afford to take more time off or not. You might also choose to return to work earlier because you want to, even if you can afford to take off longer, and there's nothing wrong with that either! Yes, it's lovely to spend time at home with the baby, but it's hard work. And it's also nice to return to the real world and have proper adult conversations instead of changing nappies all day. You do what's right for you.

I'm in a very similar situation (public sector job) but my baby is nearly 5 months. I would love to spend a whole year with her but due to the current climate its important I contribute financially where I can. Even if its part time at first. Don't feel bad about going back as people will always have something to say whatever you choose.

A friend of mine put his child in nursery when they were 7 months and loved it as it helped speed up their development and milestones.

Remember that you know what's best for your child and ensuring financial security is also a way that shows you love and care about them.

Good luck!

I'm starting mat leave in December and although I would love to be able to take 12 months I'll be going back after 9 as we just can't afford it. Neither of us have great wages but I am the higher earner and only entitled to maternity allowance, so even that will be a stretch. I've decided to use the annual leave I'll acrue to go back part time (3 days a week) for the first few months.

With respect, why are you only thinking about this now?
Surely the time for planning (and starting to save) was before you got pregnant.

I took 13 months off and have worked part time ever since (1 child who has just started school). Yes it means my husband pays a bigger proportion of our household outgoings, but I give a bigger contribution of my time to raising our child, so that seems fair no?

If I'd waited until I had a few thousand saved up and was in a better place in my career I'd be waiting at least another 5 years to have a baby, I'm a good age (29), I'm in a good relationship and I have a home where I can have a baby.
Plenty people don't have ideal circumstances but are far better parents than people who are "better prepared".
Plus these days very few people even with good jobs have the option of saving up. I know so many people who've been made redundant in the last 2 years, you still have to live your life.

Completely agree.
I saved up before we got pregnant. Scrap that, WE saved up. We both decided to have a baby so saving was on both of us.

I took a full year mat leave funded by SMP and our savings, subsidised by my DHs income, while I subsidised his share of childcare and household stuff. I don't feel guilty about any of it.

You either have a DH who can afford to cover everything whilst you’re off, save up before maternity leave or go back early.

I went back after 8.5 months, I wasn't interested in taking any unpaid leave. It was great, I was ready to go back at that stage and baby had started sleeping a lot better by then too. I did reduce my hours down to 30 hours a week but even full time would have been fine too. I don't think 9 months is very early at all.

Just to add, I could have afforded to take a full year or longer if I wanted to but I didn't think it was necessary for me.