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It will be a struggle with a newborn tbh. The sleep deprivation alone I. The first 6 months will prevent you from being effective at work. Agree with @Gemma, if you have help from family probably doable. Otherwise it's just exhausting.
@Gemma @Nyasha Thank you ladies xx
Are you eligible for maternity allowance? I'm having to do that this time around. https://www.gov.uk/maternity-paternity-pay-leave
If you claim maternity allowance it’s basically the same as SMP money wise but the same rules apply in that you can’t work and receive it.
Im not entitled in my work place either and jobcentre said no as i claimed ma 12 years ago so im having to claim ESA but can only claim that for upto 4 weeks after baby born so am hoping UC will help me out
From the employers perspective, they have a duty of care to you and to your baby, and no employers I know would enable or facilitate or allow someone to work remotely whilst being the sole carer for a new born. I just don’t understand realistically how you’d work in or around a cycle of short naps, feeds, changing baby and general care. I hope you manage to get grants and get maternity allowance from the government x
I’m self employed so I’m having a month and planning to work. I know a lot of other self employed mums who wfh (some even one week post birth) who have made it work mainly cause they have to. Is it ideal? Probably not. But if you don’t have a choice then you crack on. Also we are having twins so going to be quite a juggle but I think if you don’t know the luxury of maternity leave then you won’t know any different and there are so many positive stories of people wfh but also helps if your partner is very involved and your hours are flexible are flexible hours possible for you?
You probably could do it but realistically it’s so difficult. I used to do 2 days at home with my toddlers to save on childcare but the working from home days were soooooo stressful. I was lucky I could get most my work done in the 3 days I was in office to give myself a bit of breathing space but they were mostly write off days at home and I ended up taking so many leave days on those dayd because it would be so stressful. I honestly couldn’t imagine doing it with a newborn unless you have lots of family support and support during the nights because it’s exhausting in general. I know it’s a really hard spot to be in though and finances add so much stress and pressure so if you can make it work then good for you and I hope it works out x