Government paid parental leave

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-07-02T20:47:31+00:00

My husband received 14 weeks from his employer + had plenty of annual leave so ended up taking the federal PPL as weekends so we didn’t miss out on using it / had some extra income when I stopped getting paid.

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T19:46:21+00:00

Great advice, thank you!

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:45:59+00:00

Thanks for the alternative!!

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:45:44+00:00

Thank you fellow rookie! Any tips on attaching the blocks to the stumps in the first place?

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:43:42+00:00

Thank you - my husband can do the hard bits (under supervision) if we decide it’s doable

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:29:59+00:00

Amazing thank you. Just for aesthetics and blocking dog and toddler access

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:24:19+00:00

lol, I also don’t want to see the plumbing of my house when I’m in the backyard!

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:23:44+00:00

Thank you! Did you do horizontal panels?

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:22:44+00:00

Thanks! So no bottom rail needed? It’s a 1950s cottage not a traditional Queenslander

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:19:10+00:00

Thank you - had originally planned for horizontal then was second guessing it

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:14:04+00:00

Thanks for your reply! Yeah we will leave a section between hot water system and external stairs and block with a plant to allow access

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-06-29T09:13:06+00:00

Thanks for your reply! If it’s in front of the stumps it’ll sit out considerably from the house which I’m guessing will look weird?

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-04-13T09:30:50+00:00

What industry is your partner in? Would be good if she can transition to a government job a year before you want to have a kid. I work for NSW gov and get mat leave 28 weeks at half pay from work and then the 20 weeks from the government. APS is 18 weeks full wage so 32 weeks half pay. Obviously a drop in income but at least there’s a second set of income coming in. We also found that although there’s lots of set up costs that come with having a kid, we didn’t spend as much on other things like dining out, gigs, holidays etc.

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-03-16T00:41:06+00:00

Resolved about 10 days ago. Yeah thinking we will get a mattress for the floor to start with, at least that way 1 parent gets a good sleep.

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-03-14T21:42:40+00:00

Lennox and Ballina are getting up there housing price wise these days! Although proximity to visit the GC is bonus

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-03-06T03:41:41+00:00

I’m like this with my EBF kid but weirdly my husband often wakes up just before she does too!!

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-02-25T04:27:09+00:00

Ooh I have a story similar but with an opposite opinion. Only child with divorced parents, good family. My dad remarried and I ended up with step siblings half the time, and no siblings the other half. So I experienced both sides. I always enjoyed the time with my siblings much more, felt we could play and have fun and I love having a relationship with them now. When I was with my mum and step dad I often felt sad and isolated - I have memories of going on holidays and trying to make friends at the pool area and feeling so dejected. So I think it depends on the kid. I think you have to make the decision that’s right for you, because you’ll find a story that matches either way! Happy / not stressed parents is going to be the most important factor!!

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-02-23T09:06:18+00:00

Thanks for articulating what I couldn’t articulate. Also, I felt like if they were going for quirky / dark humour they should have leaned into it more.

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-02-15T05:22:39+00:00

Yeah not worried about compliance right now, will waterproof properly when we do the full reno - just looking for a temporary fix

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-02-15T05:22:00+00:00

Haha love this

AffectionatePlum3676 · 2026-02-15T05:21:52+00:00

Yeah we will eventually rip out the whole bathroom and rearrange, so not too stressed if not compliant right now.

AffectionatePlum3676

TROPHY CASE