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My maternity leave ends in February. Our son will be 11 months. If I go back four days, after nursery and travel I'd be bringing home about £400 a month extra. That's it.
Part of me thinks it's madness to go back for £400. But my career would be on hold, my pension would stall and I genuinely like my job. My husband says it's my choice, which is lovely but also not helpful.
Did anyone take the hit and go back? Or stay home and not regret it?
Went back for basically break-even. Best decision I made. The childcare costs are temporary, funded hours start at 9 months now, and by 3 the 30 hours make it much better. My salary has gone up since, and I'd have struggled to get back into my field after a few years out.
Stayed home and I don't regret it at all. We cut back hard but I wanted those years. I'm going back part time now our youngest is starting reception.
It really is down to you. Neither choice is wrong.
One thing to think about: childcare is a family cost, not a cost against your salary. Your husband's wage pays for nursery too. If you frame it as 'your salary minus nursery' it will always look terrible.
Ben's point is so important. Nobody ever does that maths against the dad's salary.
Ben you've changed how I'm looking at it. And Ellie the funded hours from 9 months – I need to check when exactly we qualify. Thank you.
Remember you can request flexible working from day one now. I asked for four days compressed into a slightly longer week and got it. Worth asking before you decide, it changes the maths a lot.
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