Any teachers (or any position) not returning to work b/c daycare would only allow you to break even?

June3Bride2Be

This is my first year out of college and I am working as an ed tech in a school. I already have a 1 year old and am due at the beginning of June with number 2 and just can't figure out if it's even worth it to get a teaching job just yet. Where I live I would make $30,000 as a first year teacher and after taxes/etc. taken out every week, would only bring home $450 a week.  This number doesn't even include having both kids under my insurance.  Daycare for 2 little ones would be about $350/week. Does this even seem worth it to apply for jobs this coming fall? Not to mention the huge responsibilities that come with being a teacher, all the at-home work and the fact that it will be my first teaching position. What would you do?

 

Sorry this is so long.

ChiShanona

I've heard a lot of ppl say that you're only working to pay for daycare so you might as well just stay home w/your kids.  We haven't decided what we're going to do yet but I'd love to be able to stay home.

triciaj1

My income exceeds the expense so I'm going back to work... BUT DH's does not. We discussed it at great lengths and DH is staying home. His salary would cover expense of daycare, with a little little little bit left over every week, BUT we think that the benefits of having one parent home will outweigh the money. But it was a difficult decision to make, you just have to do what's best for your family.?

Lulu0802

If you can live off of just one income, then I would stay home if I were you.

In our situation, I make only a little more than what childcare is going to cost us, but we definitely need that little bit more to cover our bills, so I will be going back.?

mrs.m-ski

Daycare is the number one reason that I am not teaching anymore. Between the extra work that goes into teaching (especially a newer teacher) and the daycare costs taking pretty much all of my pay, it wasn't worth it for me to stay teaching.

For a while I was a nanny for a family and that allowed me to stay with DD while still making a little money. Eventually DH's salary was able to affor me staying home and the time I nannied got to be too much (they wanted me 6am-6pm every day) so I am home full time now and I love it. Maybe you could find a way to bring in some money another way like that?

inbetween

If you can afford not to work, then by all means stay home. Dh and I can't afford for me not to work, or day care. Luckily I'm a cna and can work nights and be home with the baby during the day. It will be interesting figuring out sleep schedules, but you have to do what you have to do. Good Luck!

HisBetterHalf

Do you want to be a SAHM?  If you do, then I'd say its not worth it to get a job now.  The small amount of money that you will bring home is not going to be worth it if you'd rather be staying home with your kids.

If you don't want to be or can't imagine being a SAHM then it may be worth your while to look for a job.  I'd say it all depends on what you want.

chipsgrrl

If you can afford it and want to stay home then do it. I personally love it.

lindermom

One thing to be concerned with is trying to find a job in say 5 years.  It may be very difficult having not worked for 5 years.  You may need to re-do certifications or take classes depending on your state.

 Also, I know a number of parents who find work a nice time to get away from the kids.  Being with your child 24-7 may work at first but can you really handle it?  (Please don't flame me, I know I don't have a kid yet, I draw this from the experience of friends and family that have tried it and gone back to work)

Keep in mind day care can be tax deductible which could help too.

Kelly Cox

We both have to work but my MIL is going to watch the baby for about 3 hours a day so we won't have to do the day care thing and my DH is changing his work schedule.  I'm a teacher and although it's possible to juggle lots of things, my first year teaching was stressful.  I was dating my DH at the time and I don't know how I would have handled having a family and being a first year teacher.  The learning curve is HUGE!  GL with whatever decision you make.  If I could stay home with my little guy I totally would. 

June3Bride2Be

Thank you all so much for your quick responses. With my first, who is 1 year old as of last week, I stayed home the 1st 6 months and loved it and I would LOVE to do it again.  I am just having a hard time weighing it all out. Part of me wants to be earning money for our family and getting a move on career wise, but my number 1 priority is my kids and I sort of feel like I would be half-doing both if I took a job, especially where I would barely break even. Again, thanks for all of your insight, it def helps just to hear what others going through it have to say!:)

courtneyaok

If that's your only way to have insurance, it'll be worth it to work.  However, if you're getting insurance through DH . . . the first 2-3 years of teaching are really difficult.  I'm in my 4th year, and I haven't decided what I'm doing yet, but if I were in your spot I'd probably take some time to say home with the babies until they're off to kindergarten.  If you're worried about being completely out of the field for too long to get a job, you could tutor or volunteer.  Plus, in a child-centered environment like a school, administrators understand the importance of family and why you would choose to stay home instead of immediately going to work.