I was always a career woman with a professional job. My work is full on and all-consuming. I returned to full-time work 14 weeks after my first two kids were born and now I've just had no.3.
When I fell pregnant I decided that my career needed to be put on the back burner and I'd take at least 12 months off so I could focus on my kids being calm, happy little people opposed to just an extension of my work day, getting shuffled from one place to the next.
My husband is pressuring me to go straight back again. If I work three days per week, we'll be about $500 per week better off. If I work less than 3 we won't be eligible for family tax benefit part A etc--it has to be a min of 3 days.
I understand $500 is our mortgage repayment etc but I feel like I'm getting robbed of my kids!!!
Am I being selfish??? What would you do/are you doing?? Surely m not being unrealistic thinking we can survive for 12 months+ on $75k?
10 Replies
It depends what your expenses are. $500 mortgage sounds quite small. $75000 is a decent income, I don't know what car repayments you have but it sounds extremely doable and I suspect your husband is being a tight arse! Find out what he is afraid of.
How do you loose FTB for not working? The lower your income the more likely you are to get FTB.
75k is definitely achievable and I would be talking to him more about this... Sounds like he has said no and that it's a finalised decision but you both need to be ok with whatever you choose.
Maybe meet in the middle. Say 6 months then go from there, in the mean time you can show him how easily it can be done. He might even enjoy having you home and the benefits that come with like a less stressed wife? Haha I don't think you're been selfish, but sounds like your husband is more worried about the money which is quite common
When it comes down to it money is money. I personally work part time because it makes me happy and that is what's best for my family, I couldn't be a full time SAHM it's just not me however when your old on your deathbed are you going to be remembering all the money you earnt and how quick you paid off your mortgage? Of course not. 75k is very manageable for 12 months or more if you need. Depends what kind of lifestyle you have but it is very doable. Time with your children and family is precious and no one has the right to take that away from you. I would be having another talk with hubby :)
We have lived off a little less then you with 3 kids, mortgage, private school and kindy fee's for almost 7 years now. Definitely do-able.
Could you do a budget and put in every expense you can think of (and contingencies) and all the income coming in like his salary, the govt paid parental leave for you and show how you will survive and prove you can live off one salary for 1year.
I did this when we were talking about having kids and showed exactly what money we would need and this made it easier for my husband to give the green light.
I would draw up a budget and show him it can be done. I would also maybe start with 6 mths as a compromise. Best of luck mumma and congratulations x
Paid parental leave?? (http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/parental-le...) Do you get any maternity leave through your work? Recreation leave? I had the best of both worlds, I took 12 month off with my first and had all my leave paid at half pay. Once I added up my maternity leave and holidays at half pay it took me to the 12 month mark, and we survived pretty comfortably for 12 months on half pay. I work for Qld Health though, we have fairly good maternity leave options. When I had my second, I took the 12 months again, then an extra six months without pay, and that was hard. I have since worked casually, and we've found a good balance. I'll go back to a permanent position (probably still part time though, I love it) in 2017 when both kids are in school 5 days/week.
Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Spend time with your kids they will appreciate you for it!
I went back to work, so we are $550 a week better off then we were. And my son now can have the things he wants/needs. And I get to spend my days off and weekends with him! 3 days isn't a lot I don't see it as robbing your kids at all.