Any working MoMs? Childcare options?

MNdesigner

My original plan after having a baby was to return to work. But now that we are having twins, I feel like I can't afford childcare, but we can't afford for me NOT to work!

Any working MoMs out there that can tell me how to do this? What do you do for child care? Is it twice as expensive to have two babies in daycare, or do they give discounts? Am I crazy to even think about working after having twins?

Thanks!

pea-kay

i went back to work. i had to, so we could afford to keep our house. we were lucky to find affordable childcare (way less than what i make) for all three, so that's what we do. it really depends on your financial situation, and how much childcare costs where you live.

(and we get a 15% discount for having all three there.)

luvmagoldn

I have tried a few different options.  First we had an aupair.  Great option, affordable, but you are bringing yet another person into your home during a stressful time.  After the year was up with our au pair we put the boys in an in-home day care.  They did really well there and I liked the socialization they got.  After #3 arrived we only lasted in day care for a few weeks.  Getting everyone ready and out the door in the morning was stressful for me so now we have a nanny.

If money is an issue (and when is it not?) you might look in to the au pair and in-home options.  They are cheaper than most day care centers.

BitterOldHag

I'm going back next week.  We found a small local center and we'll be getting a 10% discount for 2.

Temp159135562506975

my dayare gives discounts for multiple children - they are giving us a really good deal for the 3 kids in part time- better than normal- b/c they wanted us to be able to afford to stay there.

I'm working part time when i return to work... if i stayed full time my full salary (not bonus) would go towards dayare.. .if i was part time, same situation- so we figured it was better to have more time with the babies and worth making a little less, since my whole salary was giong towards daycare no matter what.  We're goign to be very broke- i'm a bit scared-  but know we'll figure it out... i never thought we'd have the money for our house... or daycare for one... so we'll make it happen.

heyhay82

I have to go back to work, we can't afford for me to quit. Luckly my Dad and DH work shift work, 24 on 48 off, but on different days. So, DH offered to watch LOs for us on one of his off days. My SIL her friend is a stay home mom and she care for my nephew, it was much more affordable.

Danse

I live in a high COL area so for us, going back doesn't necessarily make financial sense since almost all of my pay would go to daycare and we don't have family to watch them/help out.

The centers I called offered 10% off the 2nd child.

preheatedoven

We are really concerned with this right now. Daycare costs for two are practically what I make and w/o my income we can't really afford our house. So, it looks like me might be selling the house.

I am trying to go part time at work (I need to keep the benefits b/c I work for the state) since the money isn't really coming home with us anyway, I might as well spend more time with the LOs when they get here. 

kimarino13

I will be going back to work.

Daycare centers will run about $2850 a month (and this is with 10% off the second child).

Nannies want $12/hour, and for a 10-hour day, that is $2600 a month (and we'd lose the "flex spending" $5000 since it would be under the table).

We are still trying to figure out what will work best.

jenn_darrin1515

we have a family friend who watches my girls and her 4 year old neice..we pay on the low end of average child care since she is kind of a psuedo in home child care...but that is still half my take home!  I needed to come back b/c I carry the insurance and DH is in construction which is usually seasonal...but we are trying to figure out a way I can go part time come spring (hopefully before that)...our budget is tight, but without me working at all it would be too close for comfort....good luck - it is a hard decision!

mmbench

We found a locally owned center that gave us 50% off the second child.  Plus with the tax credits for child care ($6000 per year), I ended up keeping more of my paycheck than I thought I would.

jennyvag

After researching daycare centers in our area and finding that they only offered a $15 discount on the second baby and they 98% fo them don't offer part-time services, we decided that I would return to work part time and luckily my mom is able to watch them the days I am working (which I pay her for). We pay her what is equivalent to an au pair or an in-home sitter.

 It's definitely not easy, but you aren't crazy to be thinking about work and your future.  Try to start saving now or living off of your husband's salary to see if you are able to do it.  Hang in there.  hugs.

janjag

i am very lucky to be able to go back PT, and have a nanny take care of our girls the afternoons i work.  i really like the adult to child ratio that way.  and got to hand pick the one person taking care of my girls.  these are my first kids so i have found twins to be A LOT OF WORK, at least the first 3 (no sleep) months!  and of course i love them to pieces!  but i think it's nice for them to have a "fresh" well rested person take care of them.  for us, financially, it absolutely makes sense, and that has to be a consideration.

have you considered doing nanny sharing?  don't know if someone would want to share with twins, but if it worked out, it could be easier on the wallet.  average cost for 2 for a nanny is $15-20 in our area.