I think you will enjoy being a work from home parent. You’ve done it exceptionally well the past six months. This sounds like it’s what’s best for you and your family right now and there’s nothing wrong with it. Even if you were a stay at home mother or Housewife I would still support you. I will pray that your KZfaq community grows and that come next year you won’t even be worried about finances or going back to your 9-5. Wishing you and your family all the best.❤

So happy for you Shan! 💖 you’ve inspired me to start my own channel. I love watching your videos and being a recent first time mum your videos have really helped me.

Content idea: I think we would all love to see more of just you and stuff you do for yourself, y'know? Like night time routine, skincare, products you like to use, hair wash routine, fitness and wellness, what I eat in a day type vlogs, fashion, or just a pamper or makeup video where you sit and do a simple Q&A. I love that kind of content!!

Good luck Shan 🎉 great decision, especially if you have the opportunity xx

I have appreciated your content for many years as a fellow civil servant and toddler mum. Congratulations on this news, it is the result of years of hard work you have put into this channel and now you have the opportunity to go in the direction of what works for you. Best of luck xx

You have worked so hard to give yourself this opportunity so ‘100% fully deserved’ is more accurate than ‘lucky’ in my eyes! Wonderful news for your babies and us viewers, go you! Xxx

I’m so happy for you! This is the culmination of all your hard work Shan, super proud and excited for you. I’d love more budgeting content and more content of you just being Shan - love to see a DITL of self-employed when you’ve settled into a routine. This is such a fab time in your life!! ❤❤❤

So happy for you 🎉 we are here to support you💕 hope you will make the best of this year 🎉

Shan I’m 100% with you on this and know how you feel with every point. It’s scary but so exciting at the same time. ❤

So happy for your decision Shan! I wish I could have done the same when my two were this age but ultimately with COVID being live when my daughter was born I worked from home a lot so it wasn't that bad. I think it's very lucky that there are employers out there who help mums by agreeing to things like that and not only pushing us to do what we dont feel comfortable doing as parents

I'm so happy for you! I have a 7 month old baby and I thought I would go back to work earlier but I decided to go back in September (he'll be 10 months). I think it's so important to have this time to enjoy your kids, they are little and they need you for a limited amount of time. Good luck with everything, I would love a new budget video!

Congratulations, so well deserved! I’ve been watching you for ages but have binge watched all your videos the last few weeks as i have my second baby due in early August (18 month age gap). You’ve given me confidence that we will manage the hard times ahead. Don’t ever forget how much of a positive impact you have had on others lives by sharing your life (including the struggles!) I can’t thank you enough. ❤

I have enjoyed being a stay at home since 2020. Luckily, my partner’s wage was good enough it meant we could do it and still do it!! I’m sure as long as you get out as many days as you possibly even if it’s only in the garden see people regularly and you’ll enjoy every moment of it ❤️❤️

Congratulations 🎉 a leap of faith X may it work out for you X

You are so so pretty… and you are looking and sounding so much brighter. Don’t be scared, we will all support you in any way you can. You are an amazing mum and I think this will take the pressure off you because you don’t have to think about it anymore. You will be fine 😊❤

I’m jealous! (As I get ready for another 40 hour week and LO goes to daycare full time. I’d love the opportunity to experience the mundane parent thing, wait I do, evening and weekends!)

So exciting, good for you. Hard work pays off ♥️xx

You’ve worked so hard for this. Well done on your consistency. Also just a positive nod to our language, I know at the end of the day you have been working your butt off - you are a full time carer for two infants and a content creator… whether it’s work outside the home or unpaid work it’s still work so massive respect!!! I know society has a weirdness about valuing paid work and work outside the home but what you are doing is so valuable for your kiddos!! Also without scaring anyone in the comments but also the stuff on attachment that’s coming out and what’s going on in their lil’ brains 0-3 makes me want to fight so hard to be around where possible (acknowledging that it’s not always possible for folks) but good on you for giving it a go. Here with a newborn and cheering you on!!

Total understandable! I am a mum of a toddler, I work in the NHS and at the moment I am a student because I finger out that I can spend more time with him and he only goes to nursery 2 days a week and not full days and I am so glad I did that. I have been thinking about starting a side hustle too so I can have options but have no idea how to start it. You do have what is right for your family because that’s the most important thing and you’re a sensible person so you will be absolutely fine 🎉well done you for taking that decision definitely 🙌🍾xx

I have a 2 year old and a 10 month old , do find it difficult at times but it's worth it , I'm happy for you that you don't have to go back to work, more budgeting videos would be great xxx

So happy for you!! More time with the kids is the absolute dream - I know there’s rough bits too be overall it’s the dream 😂🩷

Thank you so much for speaking about the working parents funding for 9months to 3 years, I did not know about this until this video. I will be able to bring more money into our family now and my son will love 3 days at nursery. Thank you so much ❤

So happy for you, and proud of you Shan! You’ve done a great job building this community, yes we watch it, but you do the hard work so give yourself some credit! 🎉

Congratulations! You will never regret spending more time with your kids - best years ever ❤

Well done for working so hard to give yourself this opportunity. When I came to the end of my maternity (in 2022) I had to go back to work otherwise I would have had to repay the occupational maternity pay. After 3 months I was blessed my company allowed me to have a career break for 12 months as I too was concerned about child care costs. My bank account took a beating but I have no regrets, I just wish I had a side hustle. I can definitely recommend budgeting and tracking your spending. Budget even for the most mundane of things. You'd be surprised how much money you get through. Most importantly enjoy the break and have fun along the way! x

I get it. I’ve tried to return back to work twice since my 3 yr old was born. But It so hard mentally and physically. I enjoy sahm mum, I love working too but shall return when he’s at school. I do it you can do it ❤

That's amazing news Shan, I have 2 under 2, my husband works away for weeks at a time and it is hard.

Amazing news ❤ I always loved your cooking vids for the snacks you make the kids would love some more of them for inspiration. Things you can freeze etc saw the recent one but more would be lovely! X

Good on you! You’ve grafted for years whilst juggling being a mum which is exhaussssting! You need a year of pamper time! Hope you get some time to relax, travel 🏖️, work on any personal goals/interesting hobbies and most importantly enjoy being a full time mummy to your 2 blessings! Hugs to you! And a year isn’t too long so don’t panic about any career gaps in CV/work! I just started a work from home office job after being out of work for over 4 years! Having a 3.6months old and now juggling part time work with my little one! There is time for it all, so enjoy!!🎉

That’s great, I’m so happy for you! I had 2 years off after my little boy was born and it was the best decision 🤍xx

Little Jessie and just wanted to drop in a quick line to say your courgette fritters recipe worked just fantastic with Jessie. She loves them and enjoys them on a regular basis. Also massive thank you for all other amazing recipes and tips and tricks I learn on a weekly basis from your vlog! Great work and look forward to a lot lot more amazing videos...from one woman to another, very proud of how you are managing everything! Since having Jessie I have been a bit separated from my pre birth social life and feel like I can only talk babies now so I could resonate so much with you when you mentioned it in your video and also made me feel like I'm not the only one so thank you for that! Just an appreciation message really because let's face it being mums is a thankless job and we love love love it but sometimes it is important to appreciate each other. Good luck! X

This is such weird timing because I'm also going self employed for the first time ever starting TOMORROW. You've got this! 🎉

Congratulations on the decision! I am sure it comes with pros and cons, as any other decision :) unrelated to this video, but just wanted to say I've been loving your hair recently and it would be interesting to see your haircare routine! I normally just chuck my hair in a bun 😂

Congratulations, 😊 I am so happy that you have got this opportunity. I so understand your position, if I could I would do the same. Good luck on this new journey, we'll be right here with you 💘

Good Luck! So pleased for you, I'm sure it will go well, you absolutely just have to go for it. And if for some bizarre reason it did all fall flat, you've still got your job to go back to in a year. And yes, any and all finance videos please! I found MamaFurFur from watching you, and her methods have transformed my own finances. Eeee! Exciting 🙌 x

Congratulations :)!! This will be amazing!

Amazing news! 💯 deserved!!! I am trying to be self employed too - i so desperately want to earn my own money for myself so I can be at home for my two and have a good balance - but it's scary!

Good for you I hope it goes well and you remain successful. Means you can put more content out yay. I have no children but always been very maternal and love all your videos xx

Good on you! Just to note that the funding for 9m olds from September 2024 is only for 15 hours, it goes up to 30hrs in September 2025 😊 x

So happy for you girlie ❤❤

So happy for you. Those early years with your kids are so important and you cannot get them back. I will be returning to work on my minimum contract of 8hrs this time , luckily I work locally and my role allows me to do that. I think with your last child it seems even harder to miss out x

This is soo exciting!! So glad you’ve gone for the best outcome to suit you and your family life right now, enjoy every step of it you deserve it🥰 living my dream life haha ❤️

Go on girl, super happy for you. I wish I was in the same position. X

Im due in September with my first and love your videos and have watched since George was a baby. Maybe an idea for a content series could be advice for first time mums which could be broken down by developmental age, or what to buy/not to buy, how to manage emotions, routines, basically anything a first time mum would have no idea about. Now that you’re more experienced with two kids your opinions on things may have changed since previous videos and would be good to stick the videos in one playlist for other new mums too! Maybe 🥰

Different situation as you as I was forced into leaving work a few days ago, but I’m trying to change my sad mindset into making it a positive. Going to get my own thing started and we planned to try for baby number 2 now, so it’s a time for me and my little ones which I’ll never get back. Also absolutely terrified but I’m hoping I can get back into my YT and also also our reno social media to help 🙏🏼

Just went back to work after ML it’s hard! I don’t understand how your mat leave is from July 2023 - Sep 2025? Normally it’s up to a year and with annual leave it may be a bit longer but didn’t think it would be that much longer

Amazing opportunity for you! Im jealous 😂 watching this knowing im going back to work tomorrow after nearly 14 months off on mat leave 😅😢

Aw yay I’m so happy for you! ❤

Congratulations! I quit my job after maternity leave and am a full time mam to my almost 2 year old 😊 I'm lucky that my partner has been able to support us all so far as this is all I've ever wanted! X

You're an amazing person and an amazing mom, Shan. Loved this video! New subscriber here 😃😘🤍

Look forward to a budget update!

It's brilliant that you can and enjoy that time🦋 I would also stay home if I had to put LOs full time in the nursery at such a young age and commute to work. It's breaking... mentally and physically... Hats off to mums who can or must do that...

I honestly don’t blame you at all lovely I’ve been very lucky I’ve not had to go back to work since I had my first daughter 8 years ago I have 3 girls 8/5/4 years old youngest starting school In sept my partner is self employed and I’m classed as carer for my oldest as she’s autistic , trying for Our 4th baby now aswell adding more craziness to our life’s lol I worked from 16 years up till 26 when had my first , love watching ur videos 🥰

That’s amazing news your work does that! I met back full time after my first and regretted it. My second I waitress 15 months and then found a job 2 days a week. Nee eldest is in school I love the flexibility of working just two days and being off with the kids for pick ups, drop offs school activities etc. once youngest starts school in sept I’m going to think about another days employment or getting extra money 😊 xx

So so pleased for you!!!

Good for you!!! Im pregnant with my second & due in july. I'm SO looking forward to starting maternity leave and having more time with my 3 year old again (plus the baby). If you have the opportunity to take another year off and still have an income stream, why on earth would you not!! Enjoy all the moments and memories ❤

As someone who decided to take an extra 9 months unpaid off of work after my maternity leave ended, I can tell you it was the best decision ever. I have gotten to see so many more firsts and I feel my girl will be in a much better place developmentally to start childcare when I do return in a few months time. All the best for this exciting time x

Its great your making the right decision for you and your family. I am a stay at home mom with a toddler and another on the way and I am so grateful my husband and I chose that path it help's decrease the stress of day to day life and has huge benefits for the kids. I take comfort in knowing my child can still attend preschool part time as yours does which is also great best of both worlds.

congratulations Shan !

My husband is military and we are in sfa so because of childcare etc I've not gone back to work since I had my 3 year old during lockdown! It's a hard decision and it is very scary but it's so incredible to be able to spend that time with your babies, you definitely need mum friends and play dates to keep your sanity! My 3 year old does 15 hours at nursery which is great to have the one on one time with our 13 month old and also straighten the house up, wander around b&m, go and get a little coffee, whatever you want to do 😂 the money thing is hard, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather spend our money on family days and not childcare xx

Noticing how many people in the comments are saying they ‘wish they could do this’ it’s so heartbreaking and frustrating the way our society isn’t set up to help us be more at home to raise our kids because it’s VERY hard to do financially to the point where I think some people assume it’s just not an option or in some cases it’s just not. We’ve just made the decision to live off one salary and we’re going to have to sacrifice a lot to afford this lifestyle change (moving house, TIGHT budgeting, finding other sources of income) but feel so confident that this is right for us. Like you said, we’ll only get this time once ❤

Fantastic decision, congratulations 🎉 great decision for your kids and you ☺️ you can always make more money but you can never make more time

If that’s right for you go for it the kids are only this age once

My son will be 2 in August... However I'm a single mom by choice, so I had to start work again when he was 8 weeks old (I'm on South Africa).. I enjoy sending him to daycare even though I work from home. He's very busy, clingy, needy... So I need some breaks 😂 In South Africa you will definitely not still have a job if you're off for 2 years... Not even 1 year.. Our maternity leave is 3-4 months, mostly unpaid (I could only afford 2 months)...

Injoy shan there only little once ❤

Oooo please do a budget update ❤️

I've changed my hours to part time when I go back to work. There is no way I could put our baby in full time childcare, part time with some family help feels daunting enough! Plus for a lot of people it's barely worth working when your full time wages just go on childcare is it. I feel like the UK isn't really designed for family life to be honest. I had my mum at home through my whole childhood while my dad worked but who can afford to be a one income household these days?!

Content idea: Rediscovering yourself after having babies! My kids are the same age as yours and I’ve been so busy being a mum, I kinda neglected myself. It’d be nice to see a series of you having “me time” without the kids and finding new hobbies or treating yourself. It would motivate me to dedicate time to myself and show the importance that we matter too ❤❤❤

I would watch if you did budgeting content also

How did you find the confidence to start your KZfaq channel without being judged by friends and family and I would love a video of how to start a KZfaq channel and the behind the scenes ❤

I guess when you become a mum sometimes you have to make a decision whether to work closer to home in order to be able to pick up your kids and spend more time with them. I know that my dream of working in events industry once I got kids is not going to happen soon. For now I am going to stick with something that will pay my bills, be close home and will allow me to enjoy more time with my little ones.

I’m guessing having no nursery fees will make a massive difference too what you need to earn as well.

Good for you, I'm blessed that I'm able to work 2 12 hour days whilst my kids are with my husband, otherwise we can't afford childcare and I'm so blessed I get to be home with my kids 5 days a week.

Do you have to pay back your occupational maternity pay?

I have a baby girl, 18 months, and I work 3 days a week. Let me tell you, I HATE it!!! I have no idea how to get an income like you to stay at home 😢 getting popular on KZfaq now is sooooooo hard 😢

But your not unemployed then you still have the job to come back to in sept 2025 ?

I’ve got 3 that are 2 , 3 and 5

Don’t you have to pay back your occupational maternity pay if you don’t go back for 3 months?

I totally understand why you've made this decision (as someone going on maternity later this year) but I think the thumbnail is a bit misleading because you will have a second income via YT rather than being unemployed and searching for an income. I'd love to find a self employed job so I don't need to return after my mat leave.

I had to leave my job to be a stay at home mum. I honestly dont know how you meant to be a working mum. My wage wouldent cover the childcare cost.. obviously once they're in school i will get a job.

Yes to a Q&A! And can’t wait to see the extra content. Anything you could post about stocks and shares ISAs (I think you have one for G??) for parents and kids I’d love to see 🤍🤍

Congratulations, enjoy it! My little girl was born a week after Halle and I went back to work last month BUT part time and we’ve made it work that she’s not had to go to nursery yet due to me working around my husbands shifts, it’s working for us so far and I love being to still spend time with her every day. Can’t believe our babies are almost 1 🥹🎉

1 little girly over here, and she is not a force to be reckoned with 😅 I recently cut down my full time working contract to just 20 hours a week, just to savour this last year so I can soak everything up before she starts school in September 😬 🩷🩷🩷

But your not unemployed then you still have the job to come back to in sept 2025 ?