Hey ladies,

I normally work full time, and currently OH works 2 days a week (reduced his hrs when we had Isla) and does the childcare on the other days! This is because im the main earner.

We are just debating what to do this time..........Chris hates his job, and gets loads of hassle from it & to put her in nursery will cost approx the same amount.

So the biggie question is........

Should OH resign and do all our childcare, or should he stick with his job (NHS) and we put Isla in childcare?


ALSO

Do you trust that the tax credits system will stay the same? If he gave up his job AND this system was reduced/scrapped then we'd struggle really badly!

If you guys can afford for him to stay home..that would be awesome. I do know that perhaps while he is home..if he can..should look into upgrading or doing some courses online as backup. Only because the economy is so unstable and would hate to see you guys put all your eggs into one basket and rely on tax credits..as those can be taken away or dramatically reduced over night. xxx

i would stay at home if it's going to cost the same! as jen says, maybe do some home study courses while he has the free time?

I would definatly say stay at home hun x

I would always say for a parent to stay at home if it's possible over going into childcare, but that's just me! I don't know about tax credits, I am just hoping that by the time I am meant to go back to work we have found a way to avoid it!

Its tricky, Dan is our main earner but there is no way I couldn't work as we don't (and wouldn't) get any working tax credits anyway - but if you already do and he stops work you might find they go down? I'm not sure how it works but if it went down with him not working you'd need to know you were safe money wise.
Also if you are near the top end of the bracket for getting credits I wouldn't bank on them as they are supposed to be bringing the limit down

If everything was okay money wise though I'd do it!

i would say for him to stay at home too, i dont think you can bank on tax credits though, they're reducing the threshold each year i cant remember the limit i think its around 42k. also is it for working tax credit both partners need to work the minimum 16 hrs?

Its a tough one for me because I think Hannah gets so much from nursery. she has so many friends to socialise with so shes very confident and intelligent.

Even with oh not working just now she goes to nursery (although he puts her in later and picks her up earlier)

yours is a different situation though because you said the money would be the same. hannahs nursery fees are about 1/4 of my ohs weekly wage when hes working.

is this what your oh wants to do?
x

Have an look on the entitled to website and answer the questions as if oh wasnt working, i should tell you how much tax credits and housing allowance you are/if you are entitled to it x

I'd work out your finances without tax credits and see if you could survive without it (just in case) But if you can survive it would be lovely for him to be at home for the girls.

Would he get bored home?

Although I loved my mat leave and would love to pack up work I did sometimes feel a bit worthless! Even though I have 3 kids, a house to clean and meals to cook and I do loads of voluntry work. I always felt I should be contributing financially.

Quote :

also is it for working tax credit both partners need to work the minimum 16 hrs?

don't think so, cause I technically work 35 hours even though I'm on maternity, but my hubby *technically* doesn't work at all cos he's a student nurse

My 1st thought was "great!" but then I had a little think about if it was me and Dave. Thinking about it I think I'd still want to have the security of us both having some sort of employment with the country being in such uncertain times. Unfortunately none of us know what's waiting around the corner. I feel like a real kill joy but what if something happened that meant your hours had to reduce at work? Your OH would then have to find a job and it may not be on the days you'd need him to be working which could be a huge strain on you all. Sometimes it's best to keep the door ajar rather than shutting it IYKWIM? xxx

LisaGandAmelia wrote:

My 1st thought was "great!" but then I had a little think about if it was me and Dave. Thinking about it I think I'd still want to have the security of us both having some sort of employment with the country being in such uncertain times. Unfortunately none of us know what's waiting around the corner. I feel like a real kill joy but what if something happened that meant your hours had to reduce at work? Your OH would then have to find a job and it may not be on the days you'd need him to be working which could be a huge strain on you all. Sometimes it's best to keep the door ajar rather than shutting it IYKWIM? xxx

I think lisa has a very good point here. Also if you're out of work and then suddenly need to go back it can be quite difficult to get back in at the level you were on.

mariheartselijah wrote:

Quote :

also is it for working tax credit both partners need to work the minimum 16 hrs?

don't think so, cause I technically work 35 hours even though I'm on maternity, but my hubby *technically* doesn't work at all cos he's a student nurse

not for child tax credits but for working tax credits i think you do. i may be wrong its a minefield, i still havent worked out what to do yet.

''Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who

• usually work 16 hours or more a week
  
• are paid for that work, and
  
• expect to work for at least 4 weeks
  

and who are

• aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or
  
• aged 16 or over and disabled, or
  
• aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week
  

Working Tax Credit is paid to the person who is working 16 hours or more a week. Couples, if both of you are working 16 hours or more a week, must choose which one of you will receive it. You cannot receive Working Tax Credit if you are not working.''

So that to me says that only one has to be working over 16 hours(if they have a child) and thats the one that gets the money paid to them

see i read this

. WTC also includes a childcare element – families are eligible for this where a lone parent, or both partners in a couple, work for at least 16 hours a week.

i think they make it deliberately confusing.

I dunno pinky but we get both

pinkyd wrote:

see i read this

. WTC also includes a childcare element – families are eligible for this where a lone parent, or both partners in a couple, work for at least 16 hours a week.

i think they make it deliberately confusing.

thats different - you don't get childcare paid back if one of the parents dont work! Makes sense really

does he want to stay at home? my OH stays at home and hates that he can't work he has no money for himself and Tyler doesn't get to socialise with other children... even though my OH doesn't work we will be sending Tyler to nursery 2 mornings a week to start with and then increase as he gets more comfortable.

So I say no... especially if it means you have to rely on benefits to get by!

Lisa wrote:

''Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who

• usually work 16 hours or more a week
  
• are paid for that work, and
  
• expect to work for at least 4 weeks
  

and who are

• aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or
  
• aged 16 or over and disabled, or
  
• aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week
  

Working Tax Credit is paid to the person who is working 16 hours or more a week. Couples, if both of you are working 16 hours or more a week, must choose which one of you will receive it. You cannot receive Working Tax Credit if you are not working.''

So that to me says that only one has to be working over 16 hours(if they have a child) and thats the one that gets the money paid to them

That's what I have been advised. When I go back to work I'll only be working 15 hours(hopefully!) but our tax credits won't be affected because my husband works over 16 hours so he gets the tax credits.

Lisa wrote:

pinkyd wrote:

see i read this

. WTC also includes a childcare element – families are eligible for this where a lone parent, or both partners in a couple, work for at least 16 hours a week.

i think they make it deliberately confusing.

thats different - you don't get childcare paid back if one of the parents dont work! Makes sense really

makes complete sense lisa, baby brain again!

IM a stay at home mum at the mo i gave up my job as i couldnt get the hours i needed and i hated the job it was hell and money was shit if i carried on workin the shit hours it was night shifts too, i would JUST about make enough to send callum to nursery. We manage i wouldnt say were great but were coping xx