I just dont know what to do about going back to work!

I either go back 2 days a week so 17 hours or 2 1/2 days so 22 hours....a difference of £250 a month.

I have looked into child care and we are going with a childminder for Nathan in the mornings as my Dad can look after him in the afternoons (or my OH if he is day off those days) so 2 mornings a week are £189 and 3 mornings is £284 a month so in reality we would be £100 better off for me working 1/2 a day every week.

OH has just applied for child tax credits/working tax credit (after 6 months of nagging him to do it!!!) so obviously at the moment we have to declare I work full time. BUT if I go down to 17 hours a week will we get more or does it not make a huge difference??

Is there a good "calculator" website for this??

I need to let my work know in a few weeks what my returning hours will be and at first I was going back 3 days as my dad was going to retire and look after him when OH was working as he does 4 days on then 4 days off but now he isnt sure, then my mum was going to retire and help us out but she has never mentioned it since and when I ask her never get a straight answer so I think she said it to be up on a par with my dad (they are divorced) which is not at all helpful....so childminder it is.

Is there other help I should be lookinginto getting?? We arent on bad wages OH makes about £22k a year and I make £26k if I work full time.....

HELP!!

Thank you!

Emma.xx

I use:

To work out take home pay:
http://listentotaxman.com/

To work out benefits:
http://www.entitledto.co.uk

Oh Thank you!

Thats very helpful indeed and as I thought we are only £206 shorter if I do 2 full days than 2 and 1/2 days....then we would be £100 better off each month.

Now I just have to work out if its worth 1/2 a day every week for £100 a month?? OR look after my wee chick......

I guess I am scared incase something happens. We dont have too much in savings as we are moving in 2 weeks so the £8k we had is going on paying off OH loan and getting a fire and decorating...we should be left with £3k which isnt bad...but we wouldnt be able to save too much for us of Nathan.

Gah I hate descisions!

Emma.xx