****July 2018 Mummies - Tri 2****

[malagueta]

You all sound so organised! We've bought nothing so far OH and I have just bought a house so we've been feeling overwhelmed with the move and all the expenses with that, lol.

I have seen the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine that comes with a ton of stuff on sale on Amazon though. Is it worth the investment? I've seen lots of good reviews about it and some people say they couldn't have done without it. I'm tempted to get it as its down to £70 from £126.

 

[JemRose]

OMG everyday something is sent to test me lol.

Today my manager spoke to me about my maternity leave and when I think I'll leave, how long I think I'll have off and when I think I will be back. I said I don't know for sure, but I will think about it and obviously it needs to come in writing to you anyway along with my maternity certificate.

She said "oh and you do know that you will only be getting the SMP because you haven't been here for a year"
I said "no that isn't correct the BMA website (British Medical Association) outlines the NHS Maternity Pay contract and it says on there that a woman is eligible for NHS Maternity Pay if they have had 12 or more months of continuous NHS employment in one or more places of work. That means that taking into account the job I had before here, as it was an NHS employer, I have had 12 or more months of continuous NHS employment and therefore I do qualify for the NHS Maternity Pay."
She said "oh right..... I'll have to talk to payroll and find out about that. I'll let you know"

Thank god I am switched on and have worked researched everything and worked everything out. If I wasn't and just took what she said as gospel then I would be missing out on thousands of pounds maternity pay!!

I honestly think they were trying to con me out of it, when pretty sure every employer gets reimbursed from the government for paying out maternity pay at the end of the tax year? So technically they're not losing any money and I expect the NHS pays my maternity pay and not them.

So annoyed and I swear if they come back with some sort of get out clause from paying me NHS Maternity Pay I will take this higher and make sure I get what I'm entitled to!

The only issue is that I have to come back for a minimum of 3 months after the maternity leave otherwise I have to pay back the NHS Maternity Pay but I guess I can stick this place for another 3 months part time and then tell them to stick it!

 

[PeanutButter]

Lol jem I don't blame you. 3 months will fly by with a baby, I was going to do that for mat pay but quit aha. Get everything you can from them, don't let them fk you about. Your manager is probably just pissed off because she will have to hire someone for your cover.

 

[LuckyLaura]

You all sound so organised! We've bought nothing so far OH and I have just bought a house so we've been feeling overwhelmed with the move and all the expenses with that, lol.

I have seen the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine that comes with a ton of stuff on sale on Amazon though. Is it worth the investment? I've seen lots of good reviews about it and some people say they couldn't have done without it. I'm tempted to get it as its down to £70 from £126.

Ooh congrats on the new house! Hehe I got one from amazon a month or so ago haha they had a mad sale and I got it really cheap. Obviously not used it yet so can't comment on actual usage but I'm excited and still think it's worth it xx

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

 

[LuckyLaura]

OMG everyday something is sent to test me lol.

Today my manager spoke to me about my maternity leave and when I think I'll leave, how long I think I'll have off and when I think I will be back. I said I don't know for sure, but I will think about it and obviously it needs to come in writing to you anyway along with my maternity certificate.

She said "oh and you do know that you will only be getting the SMP because you haven't been here for a year"
I said "no that isn't correct the BMA website (British Medical Association) outlines the NHS Maternity Pay contract and it says on there that a woman is eligible for NHS Maternity Pay if they have had 12 or more months of continuous NHS employment in one or more places of work. That means that taking into account the job I had before here, as it was an NHS employer, I have had 12 or more months of continuous NHS employment and therefore I do qualify for the NHS Maternity Pay."
She said "oh right..... I'll have to talk to payroll and find out about that. I'll let you know"

Thank god I am switched on and have worked researched everything and worked everything out. If I wasn't and just took what she said as gospel then I would be missing out on thousands of pounds maternity pay!!

I honestly think they were trying to con me out of it, when pretty sure every employer gets reimbursed from the government for paying out maternity pay at the end of the tax year? So technically they're not losing any money and I expect the NHS pays my maternity pay and not them.

So annoyed and I swear if they come back with some sort of get out clause from paying me NHS Maternity Pay I will take this higher and make sure I get what I'm entitled to!

The only issue is that I have to come back for a minimum of 3 months after the maternity leave otherwise I have to pay back the NHS Maternity Pay but I guess I can stick this place for another 3 months part time and then tell them to stick it!

Ugh it's a good thing you've researched it! Don't know what they're playing at between not covering your work and now this! They seem to be being as awkward as they can about everything!

I'm not sure what to do maternity leave wise yet either. No idea I mean I'd love to be a stay at home mum for a wee while to enjoy their early days and I certainly don't want to end up dependent on my mum for childcare which she seems to think is already what is happening. But as I said before nothing comes without a price. First bad irritable day with my mum and she'd be throwing it in my face that she helped raise my child and how ungrateful I was after all she's done for me. she keeps making comments about what her and her grandchild will be doing while I'm at work and going on about how she's going to get all the nice bits while I do all the work. Her idea of helping is holding a sleeping baby while I clean, do laundry, and all the household chores and miss out on actually spending time with my baby. Xx

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

 

[Shanivy]

You all sound so organised! We've bought nothing so far OH and I have just bought a house so we've been feeling overwhelmed with the move and all the expenses with that, lol.

I have seen the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine that comes with a ton of stuff on sale on Amazon though. Is it worth the investment? I've seen lots of good reviews about it and some people say they couldn't have done without it. I'm tempted to get it as its down to £70 from £126.

Ahh me neither!! All this baby buying talk is making me anxious. Starting at the end of the month. Supposed to go get my pram on Monday but I wasn't feeling up to it. We've been doing the whole house up so I'm trying to fly through that first. It's stressful adding baby buying into the mix lol

Perfect prep machine seems good if you're definitely planning on formula. PB had it said it was great. £70 in a few places right now so if you definitely want it, it might be worth getting now for the saving xx

 

[PeanutButter]

£70 for everything omg. We paid £70 just for the steamer then around £60 for the prep with only 1 bottle. Lol that's a very gold deal! If you can get the filters cheap go for it, they're 29.99 for 2 last 2/3 months each, depending on how much you use it.

 

[malagueta]

Thanks for the advice ladies. I think I might get it. I was thinking of BF the first few weeks if I can but then wanted to move to a sort of half and half with formula too so hubby can bond with baby that way and to take some of the load off me too, haha!

Well done Jem on standing up to your manager. Just goes to show that we need to know our rights and what we're entitled to as employers seem to cut corners and try to save wherever possible.

 

[Shepherdess]

£70 for everything omg. We paid £70 just for the steamer then around £60 for the prep with only 1 bottle. Lol that's a very gold deal! If you can get the filters cheap go for it, they're 29.99 for 2 last 2/3 months each, depending on how much you use it.

God formula feeding is so expensive! I only ever bought 6 TT bottles for when DD moved onto cows milk. I didn't realise it cost so much for people to get kitted out

sorry some of you have been feeling rubbish in one way or another. I hope things improve soon

I've been feeling a bit low today but I think it's maybe a bit of boredom mixed with tiredness and the fact oh has been working so hard this last week meaning I've spent the last few days just me and DD. obviously she's the best company but I think tomorrow we need to get into town and see/do something different. Even if it's just the bank clerk I'd benefit from some adult convo

we've not really for much to buy for the new baby, one thing I've said I'll invest in is a close caboo carrier or some sort of wrap. I think I'll try and get to a sling library at some point

 

[JemRose]

Work have told me they're not nhs so I'm not entitled to the NHS maternity pay. Dunno about you lot but last I checked a gp surgery was nhs... I'm going to go higher and fight it x

 

[_GG_]

Work have told me they're not nhs so I'm not entitled to the NHS maternity pay. Dunno about you lot but last I checked a gp surgery was nhs... I'm going to go higher and fight it x

Just asked Dan as he's worked for and with the NHS for years. I hate to say It, but most GP surgeries are privately owned and the NHS simply outsources to them. You need to find your contract of employment. If you are one party and the NHS is the Employer party, then all is good. However, if the Employer is the GP surgery as a private business, they are correct.

Sorry Jem, I know that's not what you wanted to hear. Xxx

 

[Shanivy]

£70 for everything omg. We paid £70 just for the steamer then around £60 for the prep with only 1 bottle. Lol that's a very gold deal! If you can get the filters cheap go for it, they're 29.99 for 2 last 2/3 months each, depending on how much you use it.

God formula feeding is so expensive! I only ever bought 6 TT bottles for when DD moved onto cows milk. I didn't realise it cost so much for people to get kitted out

sorry some of you have been feeling rubbish in one way or another. I hope things improve soon

I've been feeling a bit low today but I think it's maybe a bit of boredom mixed with tiredness and the fact oh has been working so hard this last week meaning I've spent the last few days just me and DD. obviously she's the best company but I think tomorrow we need to get into town and see/do something different. Even if it's just the bank clerk I'd benefit from some adult convo

we've not really for much to buy for the new baby, one thing I've said I'll invest in is a close caboo carrier or some sort of wrap. I think I'll try and get to a sling library at some point

Hope you feel a little better this morning.

I feel good for once, probably because I went to be at 7.30. Ended up with dd in my bed at some point and OH in the spare room because he didn't want to wake me up again this morning lol. Feel a little bad he slept in there, especially surrounded by all the crap we need to sort out. And I ususally would hate sleeping alone but I really needed an uninterrupted few hours of sleep.

I'm really wanting to get a baby sling or carrier. I though because this one would be a summer baby it would be ideal for being out etc but apparently it's harder in the summer? With the heat? Ffs lol. Found my local sling library but I've not been in yet. Xx

 

[Shanivy]

Work have told me they're not nhs so I'm not entitled to the NHS maternity pay. Dunno about you lot but last I checked a gp surgery was nhs... I'm going to go higher and fight it x

Just asked Dan as he's worked for and with the NHS for years. I hate to say It, but most GP surgeries are privately owned and the NHS simply outsources to them. You need to find your contract of employment. If you are one party and the NHS is the Employer party, then all is good. However, if the Employer is the GP surgery as a private business, they are correct.

Sorry Jem, I know that's not what you wanted to hear. Xxx

Ahh Jem ffs. If this is the case, I really hope your contract states the NHS as your employer party, I know you've been sticking it out for the maternity hun Xx

 

[Shepherdess]

£70 for everything omg. We paid £70 just for the steamer then around £60 for the prep with only 1 bottle. Lol that's a very gold deal! If you can get the filters cheap go for it, they're 29.99 for 2 last 2/3 months each, depending on how much you use it.

God formula feeding is so expensive! I only ever bought 6 TT bottles for when DD moved onto cows milk. I didn't realise it cost so much for people to get kitted out

sorry some of you have been feeling rubbish in one way or another. I hope things improve soon

I've been feeling a bit low today but I think it's maybe a bit of boredom mixed with tiredness and the fact oh has been working so hard this last week meaning I've spent the last few days just me and DD. obviously she's the best company but I think tomorrow we need to get into town and see/do something different. Even if it's just the bank clerk I'd benefit from some adult convo

we've not really for much to buy for the new baby, one thing I've said I'll invest in is a close caboo carrier or some sort of wrap. I think I'll try and get to a sling library at some point

Hope you feel a little better this morning.

I feel good for once, probably because I went to be at 7.30. Ended up with dd in my bed at some point and OH in the spare room because he didn't want to wake me up again this morning lol. Feel a little bad he slept in there, especially surrounded by all the crap we need to sort out. And I ususally would hate sleeping alone but I really needed an uninterrupted few hours of sleep.

I'm really wanting to get a baby sling or carrier. I though because this one would be a summer baby it would be ideal for being out etc but apparently it's harder in the summer? With the heat? Ffs lol. Found my local sling library but I've not been in yet. Xx

yes apparently you give off that much body heat if it's a warm day dressing baby appropriately in a sling can be a challenge. DD was a very clingy baby and I never got anything done which was fine at the time because she was the only one and sitting on the couch most of the day wasn't a massive issue but it would be this time so I'm hoping it'll be easier if baby can be on me. I think it's a caboo I want but I should try one or two more

 

[Katybaby87]

I want one of the sling things too - hadn’t really thought about the heat... but I’m not sure which is the best one to get?

 

[Shanivy]

£70 for everything omg. We paid £70 just for the steamer then around £60 for the prep with only 1 bottle. Lol that's a very gold deal! If you can get the filters cheap go for it, they're 29.99 for 2 last 2/3 months each, depending on how much you use it.

God formula feeding is so expensive! I only ever bought 6 TT bottles for when DD moved onto cows milk. I didn't realise it cost so much for people to get kitted out

sorry some of you have been feeling rubbish in one way or another. I hope things improve soon

I've been feeling a bit low today but I think it's maybe a bit of boredom mixed with tiredness and the fact oh has been working so hard this last week meaning I've spent the last few days just me and DD. obviously she's the best company but I think tomorrow we need to get into town and see/do something different. Even if it's just the bank clerk I'd benefit from some adult convo

we've not really for much to buy for the new baby, one thing I've said I'll invest in is a close caboo carrier or some sort of wrap. I think I'll try and get to a sling library at some point

Hope you feel a little better this morning.

I feel good for once, probably because I went to be at 7.30. Ended up with dd in my bed at some point and OH in the spare room because he didn't want to wake me up again this morning lol. Feel a little bad he slept in there, especially surrounded by all the crap we need to sort out. And I ususally would hate sleeping alone but I really needed an uninterrupted few hours of sleep.

I'm really wanting to get a baby sling or carrier. I though because this one would be a summer baby it would be ideal for being out etc but apparently it's harder in the summer? With the heat? Ffs lol. Found my local sling library but I've not been in yet. Xx

yes apparently you give off that much body heat if it's a warm day dressing baby appropriately in a sling can be a challenge. DD was a very clingy baby and I never got anything done which was fine at the time because she was the only one and sitting on the couch most of the day wasn't a massive issue but it would be this time so I'm hoping it'll be easier if baby can be on me. I think it's a caboo I want but I should try one or two more

I think the close caboo is what I was leaning to from reviews, but maybe a wrap type might be better. I really have no idea. Dd was the same, she was always on me which, like you say isn't that bad if they're your first baby. She hated her baby carrier too. Don't know which it was but it was about £60ish I think. Xx

 

[Shanivy]

I want one of the sling things too - hadn’t really thought about the heat... but I’m not sure which is the best one to get?

Do you have a sling library near you? A place where people go to lend/try/sell baby slings wraps and carriers? You could probably search it on Facebook for your area. I really dont know what I want either. I've narrowed it down but that's about it lol xx

 

[Shanivy]

Ooh 16 weeks today! Where is time going honestly. This baby is fairly growing!

 

[JemRose]

Thanks guys, I think I am shit out of luck with this one. Think they're right. But I'm so annoyed as wasn't made aware of this when I applied for the job. I applied through NHS Jobs website and was under the impression that I was an NHS employee, otherwise would have never taken the job.

I think if I worked in a nice, fair workplace they would at least give a bit more than SMP . No benefits to working there at all, I just want to leave but I do at least need some money even if it is the SMP.

Oh well there are positive things, such as now I have no ties to go back there after maternity leave

Happy 16 weeks Shan!! Xx

 

[Shepherdess]

I want one of the sling things too - hadn’t really thought about the heat... but I’m not sure which is the best one to get?

yeah shanivy is right if you can get to a library they'll give you loads of info. I'm having to use the internet more as my nearest library is 40mins drive away

that's rubbish Jem but smp is better than nothing and it's what most women get. during my last pregnancy my employer said I'd only get smp, this was because the lady before me who'd had a baby got just about full wages for maternity but then left the company after returning for 1 month. I was a bit annoyed as I had every intention of returning to work- until I found out the ladies who were doing basically the same job as me were on £3000 more than me and I decided not to go back.

but if you know you don't want to go back then relax, do the best you can for the next few months but don't stress yourself with your workload and be happy knowing you get time off with your LO without worrying about going back to a mess

well my plan to get out and about today has gone out of the window. woken up to a huge dumping of snow. I could get the car out but not worth the risk as it's rubbish on snow and oh's pickup is in having a service. at least DD and I will have some fun outside