Vicious circle

Are you entitled to any universal credit or benefits? Where are you in the UK?

Could you do any KIT days during the last 6-9 months? Or for the first month of unpaid, to build up enough to pay for childcare?
Do you have annual leave? Would there be an option to go back earlier for a day or two a week (depends on your job, i know) and are there any grandparents that could help on those days for the first month or so? Its so rubbish isnt it 🥺

Know the feeling!! My work means I'd miss bed times, AND doesn't work with childcare in my area anyway from what I've seen.

My job isn’t “normal” I work for an airline so would be away. It’s not as easy as going back for a day or 2 😩 once you’re back, you’re back

With our first we saved up for months before I went off and I took 2 months worth of holidays at the end instead of mat leave. So I was getting paid full time towards the end. Honestly though most of my salary was going to nursery fees once I went back to work. With our second we kinda did the same but this time we are cutting our spending way down and I am not going back. Will look for part time options after baby is one and we'll send her to school nursery once she is 3.

I know it's not an option for everyone obviously, but after the stress of juggling childcare fees and drop offs and missing bedtime, working weekends for years... I just decided I'd rather go extremely frugal for the years they are little and stay home.

How does the 15 free hours of childcare from 9 months old work? Could you apply for something else a non flying job at your airline or? What about a totally new business do you enjoy cooking or crafting etc?