If this is your second or more...

megs71660

Are you finding that it's just not worth going back to work? For me, paying for one in day care is do-able, but two isn't. Looks, like I'm going to be a SAHM. Anyone else in the same boat? Trying to come up with ideas to bring in some money - I think that my 2 year old needs to be in a group setting like daycare or toddler time. 

LaurelBee

We belong to a mom's group through Meetup, so Ds gets his social time. (And so do I!) I've met lots of new friends through the group, so we rarely have a day just the 2 of us. I've always been a sahm mom though, so thankfully daycare expenses have never been a hurdle for us. But we also take classes through churches, the park district, and the Y so I feel ok that he isn't getting the socialization/structured play from daycare.

cindiesheart

 funny that you post this.  I am a sahm and I drove past a church day care the other day that said 150 a week... I dont know how people do it... thats like a car payment, or rent.... and thats just for one kid.... I have my 3rd in my belly now and I know how much more expensive it is to have babies in daycare, let alone toddlers...   I give props to those that can afford to do it,,, not us man... thats crazy!

 

cindie 

PeonyPumps

It depends. I have three jobs, and two of them it does make sense if I work, one not as much. After I work at my lowest paying job, I'll bring home an amount that isn't worth it to me to work. But, I work two PRN jobs that I can work weekends and the rate is higher, so that makes it still worth it for those jobs.  Healthcare tends to be really flexible on the hours you can get as a therapist. 

blueeyedgirl27

cindiesheart:

 funny that you post this.  I am a sahm and I drove past a church day care the other day that said 150 a week... I dont know how people do it... thats like a car payment, or rent.... and thats just for one kid.... I have my 3rd in my belly now and I know how much more expensive it is to have babies in daycare, let alone toddlers...   I give props to those that can afford to do it,,, not us man... thats crazy!

 

cindie 

$150/week is actually a pretty good deal for FT daycare. Some daycares in my area can go as high as $1200/month per child. I pay $610/month for full-time preschool (DD goes all day) which is the cheapest I've found so far. I wish I didn't have to put two kids in daycare once LO arrives, but unfortunately we both need to work in order to pay the bills (our combined student loan debt is almost as much as our mortgage!).

sschwege

Have you considered doing Home Daycare?  This is what I do and it's great!  There's just one other girl my daughter's age, who comes 5 days a week to our home.  It really is the perfect arrangement because DD has a playmate and I bring in a little extra money.  Plus anything you buy/spend toward the daycare is a tax right off.  So today I decided the girls needed some new puzzles.  We went for a walk picked out some puzzles and it's awesome because it's a business expense.  As is part of our heating bill, electric bill, mortgage payment, internet, I could go on and on.  

saturdaynightdoubletree

It's definitely a hard choice. Being at home is sometimes more expensive than working and paying for daycare. Does your daycare offer sibling discounts? Have you considered a nanny (usually two kids with a nanny is much cheaper than daycare for two)? Do what seems right for you and your family. I stopped working when DD was born because the childcare where we lived at the time was much more than what I was making. When DS was born we moved and child care was a lot cheaper, so DD was able to go part time to socialize while I spent some one on one time with DS. Both kids have been home with me for over 6 months now and it's hard to find enough things to keep them social and stimulated, and keep me sane (just being honest). We go to library story time, the playground, music class, etc. to be around other kids, but both my kids are at an age now where they crave more socialization and structured activities. They are going to start a program this fall that is similar to a preschool but only meets tues-thurs 9am-1pm. It doesn't give me enough time to work full time without hiring a nanny, but I will have time to tutor which will bring in some money. I have a lot of friends who sell things on etsy for money as SAHM's, unfortunately I am not very crafty. You'll make the right choice for your family and find a way to make it work... that's just what moms do! GL!

Kingston54

I wish!  MIL watches DS and will watch LO#2 so we don't have daycare costs to consider.  It's great but it's also bad because it can't be my reason for being a SAHM.  I'm stuck working for now

Randa&Jerm

This is number 3 for us and I will not be returning to work. When I had DD2 I went pack part time and between DH and I our scheduled allowed the need for childcare only twice a week. Now even that with 3 is just too much and I want to be a wife and mother and be home with my family. I can always get a job some day when the kids are older but likely won't since we also plan to homeschool as well. 

ByGrace22

blueeyedgirl27:

$150/week is actually a pretty good deal for FT daycare. 

 

This!  I pay way more than that.  But, to answer your questions.  I actually found that I really LIKE working.  I quit working while pregnant with my second and stayed home full-time for nearly two years.  I was getting antsy & bored, and my oldest was ready for pre-school (which we couldn't really afford on one income).  Everything came together and I ended up getting a two-day a week job at my former company, and I love,love,love the balance.  The kids are in a great daycare/preschool two days a week, I get to use my degree and work with smart people.   But I'm still home several days for the SAHM stuff.  With another on the way we'll be close to breaking even on childcare, but since I like working, and eventually the kids will be in school I think it's totally worth it.

Just my two cents, but I used to think daycare was too expensive and I wouldn't ever want to work when I had kids, but for me that was the wrong way of thinking. 

znianiswan

funny that you post this.  I am a sahm and I drove past a church day care the other day that said 150 a week... I dont know how people do it... thats like a car payment, or rent.... and thats just for one kid.... I have my 3rd in my belly now and I know how much more expensive it is to have babies in daycare, let alone toddlers...   I give props to those that can afford to do it,,, not us man... thats crazy!

 

 

 

 

CupcakeKaper

I worked when DS1 and DS2 were little.  I was a single mom (my ex husband and I split up right before DS2 was born) so I didn't have a choice.  It was HARD...I paid $800 a month in day care, and as a teacher, it was a HUGE part of my pay check.

With DD, I wanted to badly to stay home with her since I didn't get to with the boys, and DH agreed.  Now that LO is on the way, I have an excuse not to have to go back to work for at least a few more years because financially, it wouldn't be worth it.  Woot!! 

ETA:  I mean not go back to my teaching job.  I am also a wedding photographer so I'm still doing that but it's on weekends when DH is home. 

mest1215

I decided to be a SAHM when my daughter was born, bc i worked 45mins from our house, and between daycare costs, and the cost of gas (at the time we had a huge gas guzzling pick up), i woulda been going to work for like $100/month, and just wasnt worth it! Now that they are a lil older, I watch a friends son 3days a week for the extra cash.They pay us pretty good, so its nice to be able to have the cash, but not give up the time with my kids. Its really a great way to make some extra cash! For us, its a chance to take a nice vacation with our kids this summer without worrying about the money and we really wanted to do something for the kids just the four of us before the baby comes in Jan. Good luck (and FYI..it was the BEST BEST decision i ever made to stay home with my kids. Its not always easy, but i know one day they will be all grown up and I'll always have the memories of being home with them when they were little)

HappyMama30

Well, I guess it all depends on money in vs. money out.  If your income would only be enough to pay for your daycare costs, then you may just decide to stay home ( and live off your partner's income).  But, if you decide to stay home will you lose your job completely?  Could you defer for a bit and stay home, but return later?  I would not give up my permanent position and benefits (I'm a teacher), and I definitely make enough money to pay for childcare and have cash remaining.  I am at home this year with my two children (on mat leave with my son), and I will be back to work (sept-dec 2012) before our third babe arrives in Dec.  I will be off another year for mat leave when baby #3 arrives, but after that I will be back to work (with three kids in childcare for 6 months, and then my oldest will start school).  I think it all depends on what you'd be giving up career/job wise. 

SamanthaG+3

I worked and went to school when my first was a baby, but my mom and grandparents always watched him so i didn't have to pay for childcare. I became a SAHM right before my 2nd was born and have been since, now expecting #4, so daycare is definitely not an option now. I did do 2 stints of watching friends' kids in my home which brought in some extra cash, but it was sooo stressful and i had no free time to do things with just my own kids, and picking my son up from school was a nightmare sometimes. I'm going to try and get a PT job in the evenings after DH gets home..just until January to have some extra money for the baby and things. And DH is job hunting, trying to get a higher paying job, so hopefully he will get something.