Working from home can't afford the help or daycare

maftimmalek

What are my options if daycare and help is too expensive for us. We both work from home but with set schedules
Shopping for daycare is out of our budget which means mothers helper or a nanny are not options for us. What else can be done?

00kim00

If daycare is not possible financially, there are 3 options that I know of (aside from those lucky people who have family nearby who will do free childcare):
1. Government subsidies or programs. I don't know where you live, but in the US, Early Head Start is a federal program that provides free daycare to working low income families. Wait lists tend to be long and based on a point system (if you are homeless, in a domestic violence situation, have a child with special needs, etc. you get higher priority and are bumped up the list). States also have subsidy programs so you can choose a private daycare and the state will pay for part or all of it, depending on your income

2. Changing your jobs or schedules so one of you is always available to be with the kids

3. One of you quitting your job. If childcare costs more than one of you makes, then this makes financial sense.

Good luck!

maftimmalek

Thank you for that! I'm considering changing my working hours. I will need to see if that's feasible with my job it would help.

knottie_knottie1

Have you looked into an au pair? They're typically cheaper (especially if you have more than one child) than daycare or a nanny

knottiea404ce7440576fdb

I have the issue where I don't make enough to pay daycare but I make too much to qualify for any government help... I would need a second job but then I won't have any time for my kids... I feels so overwhelming!