Returning to work after having kids

Let’s face it – the number one challenge to parents returning to work after extended parental leave is childcare, both from a logistical and cost perspective. Not only can it be hard to find child-care that meets your needs and expectations, it can be expensive as well – especially in metropolitan areas.

The last thing you want is to find yourself in a situation where your return to work is negated by the cost of having your kids cared for – this can be really demoralising, and isn’t great for the family dynamic. Finding the right balance is important - your return to work should not only benefit your family financially, it should also help your sense of self-worth and career progression prospects.

There’s no harm placing your children on waiting lists at the local childcare centres which meet your needs from a care perspective. Keep in touch with these centres to discuss vacancies, and check the myGov website to see what’s available locally.

1. Budget for childcare

Best start laying plans early, here. Once you have an idea which childcare centres you’re pinning your hopes on, get a hold of their fee structure and calculate how many days worth care you’ll need per week. This will help you get an estimate on how much your childcare costs may run per week. You can then use this figure to see what impact childcare will have on your post-parental-leave budget.

Refresh your budgeting skills

2. Know your entitlements

It’s important to know how much Government assistance your family may be eligible for when it comes to offsetting the costs of childcare. Find out whether you can access the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) via the Human Services website.

Check your eligibility

Sure, we get it – once you and your partner get back to two incomes after baby, the first thing you’re probably thinking of is your first family holiday, or maybe even a larger new car. These are valid goals, but you may also find your mindset has changes as a parent to the point where you’re now interested in looking further ahead.

1. A Saving head-start

It might be decades away, but those kids may want to go to Uni one day, and may even tap you on the shoulder for their first car. How cool would it be to be able to gift them their very own savings nest egg once they come of age? Opening up a high-interest kids savings account now and making steady deposits over the years may help you reach your goal.

Open an account

2. Think Super

Something that affects mums primarily is the fact that time out of the workforce usually means time spent earning a lower amount f superannuation, or none at all. Once both parents return to work, see how parents can grow their super at any age to make up for lost time by speaking with a financial planner.