SMP runs out in may then unpaid leave starts what are my options

[polosareverynice]

Back story I have worked in my fast paced industry over 10 years people good but hours and pay not so good. Having said that I currently have had accepted rather generous maternity package which initially was SMP equal to 90% avg earnings then dropped down to government SMP. I will have 3 months unpaid if I want it.
I am unsure which way to go my heart says try to be sahm and have my partner work assuming he can get work ( currently unemployed ) but I realise this is unlikely and it looks like I will have to go back in some capacity. So my question is wwyd. Plus I have to find childcare willing to do evenings I'm asking other shift workers what they do please.

If your partner is out of work atm I would say the choice is easy. Go back full time or 4 shifts a week if you can manage on that and have him do the stay at home parenting. Much less stress on all of you.

Alternatively your best childcare option will be a childminder who does shifts - ie somebody who's used to working for nurses.

Thank you for telling me what kind of child minder I can get that's very helpful
Obviously he will have to if can't find a job although there's a possibility of self employed work avaliable maybe I have to sit on it for the minute I'm just panicking a bit as I actually don't like my current role very much the late shifts in particular. I'm feeling a bit ambivalent about going back there tbh.
If push comes to shove though I would still do it I guess.

It's always hard to think about going back when your baby is little. I work with a nurse who I know was DREADING it - shifts etc - but now she's back she's really enjoying work. Another option could be for both of you to work part time and thus you can cover most if not all childcare between you. This can feel a bit disjointed for family life but it's another option at least.
I would start looking at childminders now so you can get a feel for what's possible at least. If you struggle with finding someone for the shifts check out the noticeboards in your local hosptal - that's where I saw info about a childminder specialising in care for nurses dcs.

The other think to think about is that nothing is forever. What you do when baby is 12 months old or 24 months old could be very different. Try something, if it doesn't work breathe deeply and try something else.

I didn't think of local hospital. I also like the idea of splitting. The childcare and hours that might work :)