to work or not to work???

[louka]

hey there.
ok this is the deal. recently me and my husband have been struggling money wise. we end up being 200+ down each month. im quite happy to go back to work full/part time but our problem is childcare for a 2 yr old and a 1 yr old!!! seems ill just be working to fund this.
so basically if anyone has any advise on if this will b the case or will we actually benefit from me working id b grateful to hear it! thanks x

When your children reach the age of three they will both be entitled to free part-time early education if you live in England so it's only a question of paying for all the childcare in the short term. Depending on your family income you may even qualify for some help financially.

Taking a long term view I would say go for it in the next year or two if that's what you want. It's much easier to go back to work sooner rather than later. Also, think it's important not to view the childcare costs as just coming from your salary, if you both work then you both need childcare.

Working is not just about the money - the sooner you get back to it, the better chance you will have to work you way up to a better salary, when the children will be at school - even if your net is £0 after childcare, there are lots of benefits, including that your children will have the role model of a working mum.

Presuming you are £200 down each month so building up a hefty debt which is increasing each month, then you will need a good salary to pay it back.

and I agree - both of you work, both of you contribute to childcare.

If you both work you may be entitled to working tax credit that should cover some of your nursery fees. I am in a similar situation & am returning to work PT after being on maternity leave with DS2.
If you know your hours, find out how much nursery costs will be, how much you will earn and work out how much tax credit you will get (ring them). Remember to take into account petrol etc for the week. You will then see how much you are making after paying nursery & whether it is worth your while or not

I have always worked around the children. When I just had one child I worked an evening shift doing mortgage admin, so generally 6-9pm Mon to Weds, then either Thurs 6-9pm or Sat 9-12am. Then when I had my second I couldn't do that anymore due to husband's job change and him being unable to get home on time. I then managed to get work through a friend from home doing research work. I realise I was lucky with the working from home job but there are lots of evening jobs around. I find it less stressful as there is no worry about the children being ill and when I work everything I earn is ours and is not going on childcare. However, as evenings are the main time to relax as a parent it is quite tiring especially when kids drop their day time naps!