Child care costs...ughhhh

tiffanyirene · August 2010

So I'm still early in my pregnancy, but DH and I are freaking out over child care costs which for centers is over $200 a week and even more expensive for a nanny

. Ughh, I don't know what we are going to do, I feel like we leave pay check to pay check now and I'm so worried about paying over $800 a month that we really don't have on child care. I'm pretty sure I'm just going to start begging family members to move here so they can watch the baby! blah

KMM06 · August 2010

Welcome to my world. I live in Massachusetts and pay almost $400/week in daycare costs for ONE child. I am pregnant with baby #2. It's insane how much daycare costs these days.

Halo79RN · August 2010

it'll work out. breathe.

I live away from home, so I understand having zero back up. it's tough... but we've lucked out so far.

1st- look at your monthly budget. what do you need to cut to pay the childcare bill each month? cut it now, stash that $ away.

2nd- what do you do for a living? what about dh? any way either of you can adjust your schedules... work longer days, shorter weeks or work a weekend day to cut the daycare expense by a day or two (if necessary).

3rd- what's your maternity leave? any paid leave? save up for that now, most STD plans are not 100% of your pay.

4th- ask family to come. I know they will want to be there asap, but maybe ask for them to come the week you go back to work.... delay the expense if possible.

5th- look at in home daycares. I know it can be nerve wracking... but ask around. ask work friends, friends of work friends, people at church the library wherever.... sometimes you find really great people for much less. my aunt and uncle do this since they retired... also a friend of my mom and her husband do as well. they take peanuts from newborn to 18m.... just a few peanuts at a time. and are less expensive than some big centers. but do your research and get more references.

good luck.

MrsH2you · August 2010

Halo79RN:
it'll work out. breathe.
I live away from home, so I understand having zero back up. it's tough... but we've lucked out so far.
1st- look at your monthly budget. what do you need to cut to pay the childcare bill each month? cut it now, stash that $ away.
2nd- what do you do for a living? what about dh? any way either of you can adjust your schedules... work longer days, shorter weeks or work a weekend day to cut the daycare expense by a day or two (if necessary).
3rd- what's your maternity leave? any paid leave? save up for that now, most STD plans are not 100% of your pay.
4th- ask family to come. I know they will want to be there asap, but maybe ask for them to come the week you go back to work.... delay the expense if possible.
5th- look at in home daycares. I know it can be nerve wracking... but ask around. ask work friends, friends of work friends, people at church the library wherever.... sometimes you find really great people for much less. my aunt and uncle do this since they retired... also a friend of my mom and her husband do as well. they take peanuts from newborn to 18m.... just a few peanuts at a time. and are less expensive than some big centers. but do your research and get more references.
good luck.

great advice!

Artslvr · August 2010

I'm not sure where you live, but centers in my area are sometimes prohibitively expensive (at least for us non-millionaires) and in-home is a lot cheaper. Def. look at in-home in your area and see if the same is true.

michelcreek · August 2010

I would look at in-home, as others have suggested. Always lower cost but that doesn't mean less care. And see if family can help part time? GL!

auburnbride2be · August 2010

That is how we felt and that is about what we pay. Somehow you find the money or find an arrangement that works. At least you are noticing now so you can plan and save. Good luck!

Salihyaa · August 2010

I know what you mean. I pay 322 per week for just my infant and then 185 a week for my 6 year old in camp. I work just to pay child care.

thiswillbe · August 2010

Kids are expensive, aren't they? I just about fell over when I found out that daycare runs $3,000 a month for two infants around here. Thank goodness we had savings put aside for baby expenses (we used ING accounts which pull a little bit each month out of our regular joint checking account to build up our savings). Just save as much as you can and really watch your spending on baby stuff as you go throughout your pregnancy. GL!

bliss611 · August 2010

I share your pain. Quality day care in NYC is about $1500 per month for each child. And I don't even live in the city.

Want a personalized experience?

Child care costs...ughhhh

Re: Child care costs...ughhhh

quotes Michelle likes

Choose Another Board

Search Boards