I’m currently on mat leave and trying to figure out what would be the best option financially with how many days to put our daughter in to nursery for. She’ll be 9 months when I go back to work (can’t afford not to go back) and we’re hoping the financial strain of nursery fees will only be for the first 2 years...

So, cutting back on some of the crap and living on a budget, the following is what I’d imagine where we’d be for savings after 1 year of paying nursery fees and going back to work at 3,4 or 5 days a week.

Annual savings after all outgoings

3 days a week: annual savings -£260 (Big no)

4 days a week: annual savings +£720 (Possible)

5 days a week: annual savings +£1600 (Possible)

With those days and digits in mind, going back full time at 5 days a week means we’ll have a bit extra in the bank to spend on our daughter or to save etc on an annual basis.......

.....but realistically- how difficult is it going back to work full time when your baby is 9 months old?!! I’m emotionally torn about what to do 😭. We have no family near by that could help either.... just wondering what everyone else has done and how difficult has it been?