| The 'family unit' has very much changed over the last | | | | Fathers are entitled to two weeks paternity leave |
| few decades and is now unrecognisable from the | | | | directly after the mother has given birth. Again the |
| start of the century. The mother no longer stays at | | | | amounts they are entitled to vary. Some companies |
| home and looks after the children. Fathers no longer | | | | will allow fathers two weeks paid leave whilst others |
| spend all their time out working providing for the family | | | | will implement the statutory paternity pay of again |
| and who is to say that the normal family has a mum | | | | around £120 per week. Unless you have been saving |
| and a dad? Working mothers are the norm nowadays | | | | these amounts may leave you considerably short. Due |
| with most females holding full and part time jobs. This | | | | to these short comings in the maternity benefits, |
| is due to either financial circumstances or being their | | | | females can find themselves rushing back to work |
| own choice. Nurseries, childminders or other family | | | | when they would rather be at home with their child |
| members help look after the children whilst the parents | | | | making themselves unwell in the process. If this |
| are at work. This in itself is very costly and can place | | | | happens do not be afraid to speak to your GP who |
| additional strain on the family's finances. | | | | may sign you off work until you feel better. Most |
| All of this is helped along with the work place | | | | companies may not like this however you are entitles |
| embracing these changing and implementing flexible | | | | to do it. The health of you and your child is paramount. |
| working in the form of term time working, compressed | | | | It is important to get the financial side of things correct |
| hours or the ability to work from home. This prevents | | | | as this will affect how you bring up your child. When |
| the employer from losing some of their highly skilled | | | | considering returning to work, look at all the options |
| staff but also ensures the staff member is happy and | | | | available. If necessary reduce the amount of hours |
| content in the workplace which has various benefits to | | | | worked if the cost of childcare providers is beyond |
| the employer. When you decide to start a family it is | | | | your reach. There are voucher schemes set up in |
| important to ensure that you have some savings | | | | most large organisations where the tax and national |
| which can help buy the larger items that are required | | | | insurance element of the cost of providing childcare |
| or will supplement your income when taking maternity | | | | are deducted at source hence saving you over £50 |
| leave. If this is not possible as money is very tight then | | | | per month on costs of £200. |
| it is important that you budget and plan as ahead as | | | | Childminders are usually cheaper than nurseries but all |
| much as possible. | | | | factors have to be considered when choosing the |
| The laws regarding maternity leave allow you to have | | | | best option. Family members may be keen to help at |
| up to one year off work with statutory maternity pay | | | | the beginning but can leave you in the lurch at |
| being paid. However this is only in the regions of £120 | | | | important times. Look at all the options and do not rush |
| per week and is taxable. If your income is substantially | | | | into making any important decisions. Some nurseries |
| higher than this then this government allowance will | | | | have waiting lists but you may not know what you |
| hardly assist in the paying of bills and the | | | | want to do until after the birth so it is important to look |
| housekeeping! It is important for you to know how | | | | at other alternatives. If your child care is sorted and |
| much your company will pay you when you are on | | | | your financial situation is in good health then this will |
| maternity leave. Some companies pay full or at least | | | | ensure that you will have some of the key skills to |
| 90% of pay until the child is three months then | | | | ensure 'good parenting'. |
| statutory maternity pay kicks in. | | | | |