Coping with reduced income after having a baby

A question about : Coping with reduced income after having a baby

So it's time for me to go back to work after maternity leave. I had a few issues along the way about whether to go back full or part time and which job to go for, but in the end I'm working 2 days a week which is perfect in many respects. Except the drop in income is significant!

We would like (need!) to move to a bigger house but our joint income is just covering everything without any saving. I've got lots of 'free' time (well, evenings once LO is in bed and weekends when we share the duties) but can't decide a sensible way to boost the income. I looked into increasing my hours at work to 4 days but once childcare and travel costs were accounted for, we would only be Ј50 pw better off and I'm convinced there must be better ways to make that.

So ideally I would like around an extra Ј200-Ј400 per month- any suggestions? I've looked on the boosting income boards but thought other Mum's might be able to help too!

Best answers:

• Maybe evening babysitting, taking in ironing, dog walking. Dog sitting on days off. - you would need to register as self employed.
  An eve job in a supermarket or pub on days you don't work so still have weekend as family time.
  A night shift or 2 a week in a care home or supermarket aldi pay well and always looking for people
• Can you sew? I seamstress from home and although i don;t earn very much, every little helps. If you NEED Ј200-400 a month then it won;t provide that though.
• Have a look for care jobs with sleep in duties, lots of homes find it difficult to find people that will work Fri/Sat/Sun nights on a regular basis. Shifts are usually 8pm-8am and you won't be up all night so will still have the weekend days free. I work in a small care home on waking nights at weekends - the sleep in shift pays between Ј40-Ј50 a night.