Having twins - starting to panic now!

[aimesuk]

Hi ladies,

Found out I was pregnant about 8 weeks ago, and about 4 weeks ago found out it was with twins!

As you can expect, I am over the moon, completely overwhelmed - and feeling rather sick (still!)

I am now starting to panic about when the babies arrive - neither me or my partner claim any benefits so I don't think we're entitled to the SureStart grant, but I'm sure we can't be far from the threshold.

I earn £17k and OH earns £13k - I am fairly certain one of us is going to have to give up work (or us do part-time work split) as childcare for 2 babies is going to be nigh on impossible to manage. I've also got a LOT of debt racked up from going to uni....trying really hard to pay some of it back, but it's difficult to know what to do - save for babies or pay back credit cards??????

Anyway, if anyone has any advice for me I would be sooooo grateful - at the moment, all I'm seeing is a hole that I'm going to fall into especially as I was looking on a twins site that said that parents of multiples lose out on all sorts because multiples are not properly 'recognised'.

Thanks all!

Amy xxxxxxxx

 

[charliebeth]

Hi, first of all congrats!!

I don't have any info about twins, but if you're interested in the SureStart grant give them a call - worst they'll do is say you can't have it and you've lost nothing.

Me and my hubby are low income, and even lower now he's lost his job and I'm still on mat leave till next month! Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit are a big help. It's not a massive amount but it's paid for things like baby bouncer, high chair, some toys, and money left over for baby clothes and so on. Ours comes monthly so it keeps my within my overdraft limit and keeps the direct debits from bouncing. I'd suggest maybe giving them a call and seeing if you can get any idea of how much you'll get.

Try not to stress too much about what to buy your babies, you'll get loads of presents! We only just started buying clothes for Jack last month when he finally grew out of most of his presents. If people ask you what you want it's a good idea to get clothes in a range of sizes. We got some clothes for up to 9 months that he's not in yet. New Grandparents often like to help with bigger stuff like prams and cots. Maybe they could contribute?

There are ways to keep costs down too, cloth nappies sound like a hassle but the modern ones are SO easy to use and can save a family with one child about a grand! Obviously more with twins.

I'd pay off some of those credit cards... if it comes to it you could always use them again to buy some baby stuff!

Well, that's my advice Take it or leave it, but what ever.... take care and best of luck with your pregnancy

 

[Jade&Evie]

Congrats

Firstly, try not to worry about money too much- pay back your credit cards first; as Charlie said you may need them in the future.

People LOVE babies and will buy you more clothes than you will ever need (esp. for twins!) but if you want to be safe I would suggest tesco or one of the supermarkets for some plain white vests and sleepsuits.

You will be entitled to child tax credits and if one of you stops working then you will definately be entiled to working tax credits and possibly housing benefit and council tax discount too. you will also definately get child benefit which is £18 a week per child.

You won't have to pay your student loan back until YOU are earning over the threshold and if you try and clear some credit cards now you will be in a much better position in 6 months time. I cleared my OD before Evie was born which left me poor at the time but better off now.

Please stick around for your pregnancy and show us your scan photos etc. We have quite a few twins at the mo!

 

[aimesuk]

thanks ladies!

definitely given me some food for thought - i'm going to go home now and speak to the benefits people.

i thinkg you're right - i can't speak to one person without them telling me all about some lovely thing they've seen and they're going to get me! luckily, a friend of mine had twins a couple of years ago so we're looking forward to all of her stuff

i will definitely keep everyone posted - i have some fabulous scan pix which i am trying to upload to the computer - i'm really awful at anything like that though and i also don't have internet at home.

thanks for the help,
Amy xxxxx

 

[Sunflower]

Hi

I am still in shock I jut found out on monday!! Glad there is someone on here who is going through it too!!

I have joined a twin forum too and the girls there are great with the advice and also there is always people posting things for sale on there as everyone know what an expense it is!!

http://212.227.165.204/forumFT/index.php
http://www.twinsclub.co.uk/

they have put me in touch with local twins group too which am hoping will help too.

You are 6 weeks before me so be great to keep in touch and support each other

All the best S
x