Disability allowance

A couple of months ago during a routine visit from Sheila from Portage, she raised the issue of Disability Living Allowance and whether we'd applied for it. Like any parent without a seriously disabled child (Down's syndrome, missing limbs, etc.) we didn't think we could get it. Having been told it's for any parents who go above and beyond what is considered normal to raise a child, we decided to apply for it. The worst that could happen? We're told Emily's too normal and get rejected.

It was rather bittersweet that I came home today to an envelope from the DLA to tell us that we've been accepted to receive this. I assume it's not as much as a child in a wheelchair or who needs round the clock care, but it's enough to offset speech therapy and some of the specialist things we've bought Emily to help her get over her language and speech delays.

Home now

I managed to steal away for the evening, leaving Sue and Emily behind in the delivery room. According to the mid-wife, they'll be transferred down to the post-natal maternity ward this evening.

I've brushed my teeth, trying to remove some of my chocolate-based food from the day from my mouth. Also packed up some extra outfits for Sue and Em ready to go back tomorrow.

Still wondering how to play the visitor game. As Sue and bubby are in hospital for a few days, do we let people come visit - especially tomorrow as it's Sunday - or do we get them to come to the house on Easter Weekend?

On a lighter note, this baby's already cost me money. The car park at the hospital cost £24 for just under 24 hour stay. OUCH! A taster of things to come I guess.

Child care worries

Anyone reading this with any regularity will know that I am racked with a huge amount and number of worried about our impending bubby.

Some of them are about the health, nature and future of our child and others are about how we will cope.

Touching on the second, I received an email from Fool.co.uk today with an interesting article on the cost of child care.

It doesn't really say much we didn't know except that the cost of caring for a child is going up probably faster than anyone's pay. While this is good for the child carers, people WITH children aren't millionaires so we need a happy medium.

The article also discussed the Childcare Vouchers Scheme which Sue and I will probably be eager to take up.

Still not sure how we're going to drop off / pick up bubby with our horrible work schedule. The article didn't touch on that.

Little Lord Costingtons

As much as we try to compartmentalise the fiscal impact of the impending baby on our lives, it's ALWAYS going to be more of a blow. As we attempt to list everything we need for B-Day, it's becoming apparent that, apart from our lives, our money won't be ours ever again.

The impact, of course, is more painful given that Sue will be on maternity leave, but she's not alone in taking that and we - as they say - will make due!

Thankfully many places like Boots, etc seem to always have various necessities on sale. Walking to the train station today, I spied a BOGOF on baby wipes, so that's good. Also, some of the things we need will be needed on an ongoing basis, like the aforementioned baby wipes. Start-up costs high, ongoing costs, not so high... hopefully.

There's no doubt about it, with another mouth to feed and less one income, things will be tight but we'll manage... I hope.

My paternity leave concerns

I've just talked to Jim, the latest father in the office, who is now back from paternity leave.

I had a quick quiz with him, regarding paternity leave and pay. According to what I've read on the internet, paternity leave benefits include two weeks off and £100 / week in my pocket from the govnernment. According to Jim, I get full wages from work which is very nice.

So, worry averted!