Single mumma's to be - some questions!

[sandilion]

What is your current situation, do you/will you be working full time after your baby has arrived? Or if you have a child how much do you have to work to make ends meet? Can you get buy on part time?

Do you live on your own with your baby? Or will be?

I am highly considering separating from my husband, this really has been a long time coming and it's a shame it has all come to head now but it is what it is. I just want some advice from other single mum's on how they manage, or will be managing.

 

[peapod11]

Where do u live?

 

[sandilion]

Australia

 

[peapod11]

Sorry can't help I'm UK

 

[dustbunny]

Well although I do not know what benefits etc you are entitled to in Australia. My situation is as follows but I also live with my mother, sister and nan although I contribute my way.

I will be going back to work ASAP after baby is born because I can not afford not to as FOB hasn't/doesn't contribute anything towards LO. I work as a HCA over 3 different units and although work has been regular [full time] I will be able to go part time with little to no problem and still be able to afford everything my LO will need.
But in all honesty I think it is more a case if you're not happy then it is pointless staying in a relationship for the sake of your child. My parents did for ages before divorcing and it had a major effect on my sister and myself... we didn't like being able to see our mum wasn't happy. If you are determined enough then ends will meet, it might mean that there are some short term sacrifices but in the long run it will be better.

Hope something there helps

 

[Dezireey]

I hate to say this but another small factor that made me decide to keep the baby after FOB buggered off, is that my parents asked me to move in with them and they are going to help me. Not sure I would have coped on just my wage and no help (its not bad but not perfect either). I intend to go back to work but not sure if part time or full time yet. I am planning ahead though and intend to go to Uni to become a Teacher as this will increase my salary in the long run. Benefits in the UK for me help to top things up, so that makes things a bit easier.

I reckon though that the best way to look at it is that, yes, you may very well struggle financially in the beginning and also if you don't have lots of help but it can be done, so many mums do it successfully with hard work and it can motivate you in the future to makes things better. I never would have got the motivation to seriously think about going back to Uni again if it wasn't for planning the financial future for baby.

Good luck

 

[teal]

I worked full time up until I was 34 weeks pregnant, maternity leave for 14.5 months (last three months were unpaid but I saved with this in mind). Now I work part time but, as I'm in the UK, I can claim working tax credits which includes help with childcare costs.

It's best checking what you're entitled to as a single parent xx

 

[BadassMom]

Currently I work full time and will be going back to work full time as soon as my maternity leave is over (6 weeks). Luckily I work for my family's business and I will be taking my LO to work with me everyday until he's about a year old or so. Then I will either have to cut down to part time or put him in nursery school. But I don't want to worry about that until the time comes. I live on my own, and totally support myself with no help from FOB. My best friend (also a single mom) and her little daughter live with me also, and we try to help each other out as much as we can.
Where there's a will there's a way, if you really want and are ready to leave you'll find a way to make the situation work for you.

 

[MommaAlexis]

I live a couple blocks away from my best friend who has a 6 month old daughter too. We help each other out as much as possible, I watch her LO while she showers and cleans, so far as I don't have one yet she just cooks food I can eat and passes on hand me downs after her LO outgrows them! Financially speaking I'll be working until I'm due then have to be go Welfare for a while until they're older to go into a school of some kind. It's nice having someone there to help you out though, it doesn't need to be a husband. And more often a close friend will help you more in one day then a hubby all week. We both clean up a storm if her LO falls asleep, then I make sure she stays asleep while my friend gets prettied up for once, once all the chores are done the three of us head out to a restaurant once a week.

 

[BadassMom]

And more often a close friend will help you more in one day then a hubby all week.

I couldn't agree more!!!!