Bloody hell £650 a week?? When I was a childminder last Christmas it was £120 a week full time per child. I know there are geographical differences buts thats enormous!! Also I can't believe you cannot get any benefits having all those problems yet some people I know get enough benefits to warrant not working at all! I have chosen not to go back to work either but work part-time for myself, it works out that because tax credits top up my income slightly that I end up with the same money as if I had worked full time only I stay at home with my children. I actually looked into going back to work full time and I would've been £10 a week worse off so I can understand why people don't go back. I do work before I get shouted at and always have since I was 16, technically carolines husband is saving the taxpayers money by her not using a childminder as her tax credits would be hugely increased if she had to pay childcare for all 6 children
Lisa
x

Hi i'm Nicky. I've got a 1 year old, and just gone back to work. Whilst pregnant, i developed a brain tumour and lost the sight in my right eye as a result, and due to having to take high dose steroids from 28 weeks pregnant, my knees and other joints have been damaged and I see a physio every 2 weeks, and I am waiting to have the brain tumour removed. I was advised that I wasn't ill enough to warrant any of our wonderful state benefits and advised that I must return to work, especially as my partner works also. So I fail to understand how someone can receive enough benefits that it makes it inaffective for their partner to work. I in addition have to pay for childcare for my daughter (full time is £650 per week) and negotiate the logistical nightmare that is "mornings" getting everyone to work and nursery then neogotiating the rush hour traffic.

Sorry to moan about this, but I do get annoyed with the system.

Nicky

Ok - Now I feel compelled to comment - Not to Caroline but to Nessandjon.

Did you really feel it necessary to go off on a pregnant woman in this way? I'm guessing like any of us Pregnant ladies our hormones are a bit all over the place and a verbal attack is the last thing that any of us need.

Did you stop and think about how your post might affect this lady? It might have been her one place to come and share her experience and you could have potentially just destoyed that for her.

I understand your point. We choose to have children and therefore should expect to have to pay for this, but I don't think you can hate the players - hate the game!

Maybe her husband is not working at present but the tax her 6 children will pay once they are working will more than make up for his benefits.

I'm not making your views wrong - everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I would have to agree with you that your post was harsh and probably unnecessarily cruel.

Sorry to jump on the bandwagon.

Clare x {Peace to all)

Hello caroline, i do apologise but i read your post and felt myself getting quite angry, i tried to ignore it but i just couldn't and here i am now writting to you. it was the 'my husband doesn't work because it wouldn't pay for him to' which correct me if i'm wrong means you get more money in benefits, etc, than you would if your husband worked? i'm sorry if i seem a bit harsh now but surely when your husband was working and you were starting to find things a bit of a struggle with money, did you not sit down and think maybe you shouldn't have anymore children if you couldn't afford it instead of him packing in work and expecting all of us tax payers to pay for your life style? it must be nice having all those children but if we all did the same, not enough people in the country would work to be able to pay everyone not working and on benefits. respect to you for working part time, and if i have the wrong idea about how things are, tell me and i'l apologize, i just hate the idea of having to work for a whole day a week for the tax man for it to go to people that shouldn't really have it. sorry again but had i not have written anything, i would have stewed on it and felt angry all night.

hi,i`m caroline.i`m 16 weeks pregnant with my 6th child.i work part time,and the rest of the time,i`m a very busy mum!!!! i currently have 4 boys and 1 girl.all of my children want me to have a girl,but i am honestly not bothered,i`m just greatful to be blessed with another child.some times,i do find the work/motherhood routine a strain,but i work for my own self pride and to show my children that life doesn`t come for free.oh,and i do have a husband.he doesn`t work because it wouldn`t pay for him to,so he`s my "child minder!!!"we`re a very happy family.

Hi Jenna, i'm exactly the same I can't wait to start buying things too. My mum already started buying neutral coloured things. I went for my first scan 2 weeks ago and was so amazed when I first saw my baby, made it all the more real. I am 14 weeks now and can't wait to go for my 20 weeks scan. I will be exactly 20 weeks when I go and we are seriously thinking about finding out the sex. I have left it to my other half to make the choice. Good luck for your scan xx

Hi Ros thanks for the info i have my date for next scan i will be 21 weeks i so hope they can tell me cos i cant wait to buy things. Any way thanks again x

HI Jenna - Don't be too disappointed if you can't be told at your 20 weeks scan though. I had to go back a few weeks later and they told me then, although even then they can't be 100% certain. Enjoy your pregnancy. Ros x