Counting the cost of childcare

In Europe parents spend an average of 13% of salaries on childcare costs; 5% in Sweden and 27% in the UK. We have a problem in the UK that needs remedying. We know that women’s careers are  often stunted when they take part-time work after childbirth (and they get paid a whole lot less on average as part-time usually equates to lower status) and we also know there’s no evidence that children whose mothers work are no worse off than children who’s mammas are... Read More

Granny Au Pairs

In Mothers Work! I declared that perfect childcare doesn’t exist and that the fictional creation, Mary Poppins, would be struck off by today’s standards. Beyond nannies I share my own experiences of hiring an au pair to add to the childcare we already had (a terrific husband and wife childminding team) because like many working families we recognised the potential benefit to our careers and our marriage of having help beyond the standard 8am-6pm.  It is not selfish or indulgent... Read More