Not returning to work after maternity

[Jesssleigh]

Has anyone not returned to work after there maternity is up I'm really struggling about wanting to return to work as my job as a care assistant doesn't suit family life, I worked out the days I could work for free child care and it doesn't include weekends but if I put my baby in day care I would have to work more hours to just to pay for it and that's not including other bills so will be ten times worse, I don't think my work will let me do the hours and days I could work I'm making my self ill thinking about on what to do will I be entitled to anything if I do hand my notice in and not return straight away

I planned to but much prefer being a stay at home mum, 2nd on the way now. We can afford it and without childcare were actually better off if I don't work. Wouldn't have it any other way

That is great for you you but the job I'm in you don't get promotions or pay rises you get the bare minimum wage, you get paid 30p a mile that doesn't even cover the cost of your fuel, yes its easy to say find a job that will suit my ours but it is very hard in care to find, all I asked was if I was entitled to anything to work out my options

@Jesssleigh but what about your pension and NI contributions? You won’t be paying into these which are big securities for your life

LA's are crying out for carers. Mine are 1100 staff members short and offering a 'golden handshake' to start work with them.

I am sure you will be able to find a care job that is flexible enough to suit your family. Maybe look locally at jobs in local authority run care homes on your council website. You are in demand.

@Fretfulmum child benefit pays NI

@MyDcAreMarvel and pension contributions?

I just couldn’t imagine being in a situation where my life and that of my DCs is totally reliant on someone else. Even if you think your DH is the perfect man in the world, you have no idea if you will ever end up in a position where he leaves you or cheats on you or you want to get out of the relationship. Then you are stuck with no options but to either stick it out and be miserable with your DC having to endure the horrible atmosphere or be rehomed in a shelter by the council. I could just never voluntarily do that to myself or my DC. No matter what I’d earn, I’d go back to work and share the childcare cost with DH