Sir, - As a 30-year-old father of a new baby boy, may I make some observations on life. My partner and I have to work, otherwise we would not make ends meet and I know other couples like us. In January my partner and I will have to find an extra £350 a month for a creche. We have no choice. This is the reality of life for us thirtysomethings.
The only couples I know who can afford one partner staying at home are 20 years older than us or are in the higher earner bracket. Tomorrow, if I could, I would love to join their privileged ranks but alas we will continue to work to make our lives better and cherish every single minute we have with our beautiful baby.
To those stay-at-home partners who begrudge us our extra bit of cash, may I remind you I still fall short of what we need. This budget was in no way anti-family; it dealt with the reality of raising today's new family. - Yours, etc.,
Conal McMenamin, Cabra, Dublin 7.