would you work PT if all your pay went to daycare?

Summer20 · April 2011

Right now I work 2 days a week. DD goes to an in-home daycare that she loves. Overall, it has been a really good experience for both of us. I don't make a lot, mainly I'm working just to get out and do something different a couple of days and I do enjoy my job. Once DC#2 comes along, literally all of my take home pay would go to daycare for both kids.

My first thought is that it's stupid to work for nothing. However, I think I might go crazy staying home 5 days with two babies. We might be able to keep DD in her daycare for one day a week and could possibly add a babysitter for both kids 1-2 afternoons a week so I could get some things done*. But I don't know if that'll be enough of a "break". Gah, I sound horrible trying to get away from my kids!

Anyway, WWYD? Thoughts? Experiences?

*edit - it would definitely be a big financial strain, but short-term as we're moving closer to family (and help!) in a year

L&BK54471 · April 2011

I just quit my job for this reason. The office I worked in was small so I.didn't have much adult interaction so it was an easy decision for me.

BethD76 · April 2011

Working just to pay for daycare seems pointless to me.

calex33 · April 2011

If I was in this situation, it would be a tough decision for me. I really like my job (I teach first grade) and I found that, when I took a year off to stay home with DD, I felt like I lost a part of myself.

I think, in the end, it just really depends on how much you like your job and in what ways you think you would be affected (emotionally, psychologically AND financially) if you gave up working outside the home.

Cilley · April 2011

It totally depends on what you want. If you want to have some grown up time during work hours and don't mind all of the pay going to daycare, then do that. But if you feel you would rather be at home with the kids, you should. It's a tough decision, but you have to do what makes you and what works with your family. GL in your decision.

kcisthebombdotcom · April 2011

I absolutely would. I work part time 17 hours a week, and I'm lucky that I can make my own hours and therefore have free daycare. However, I would work even if I lost money. Working keeps my mental sanity. I dont have the patience to be home 24/7 and I think happiness is worth more than money. I'm a better mom when I get a break to get some coffee and adult time and that's whats best for both me and the kids.

Summer20 · April 2011

KC_13:
I absolutely would. I work part time 17 hours a week, and I'm lucky that I can make my own hours and therefore have free daycare. However, I would work even if I lost money. Working keeps my mental sanity. I dont have the patience to be home 24/7 and I think happiness is worth more than money. I'm a better mom when I get a break to get some coffee and adult time and that's whats best for both me and the kids.

You totally nailed it - that's how I feel! I think in my dream world I would just hire a sitter for 2-3 afternoons a week and use that time to get things done either by myself or with one kid at a time. However, I'm really not sure we'd be able to pull that off financially. At least if I'm working, I'm not bringing home money, but I'm not losing any either.

Ugh... such a tough decision! And I really should add, I LOVE my DD to pieces and I'm so grateful that I've been able to work 2 days. I can't imagine being away from her more than that.

roundtheworldgirl · April 2011

I wouldn't. I think the only possible job in the world Id be willing to do essentially for free would be "rock star."

12bailey18 · April 2011

BethD76:

Working just to pay for daycare seems pointless to me.

This exactly. That's why I am going to be a full time SAHM when LO #2 arrives. Financially it's the best decision.

LJR 84 · April 2011

I wouldn't. If I continued working FT once this lo arrives, close to 50% of my income would go to day care and that's still too much for me. I just can't justify it. Maybe if I loved my job I could, but that's just not the case here.

Battlebaby09 · April 2011

I am a SAHM of one now for this reason... I can't find a PT job that will pay what it will take to put Tyler back in daycare. I do miss him having the socialization though... I am thinking of putting him in a MDO program, but now I am not working at all. I guess it just depend if you like your job. Good Luck with your decision.

Mr.&MrsS · April 2011

I think that I would. I dont think I would make a good full time SAHM. And I dont feel guilty about that. I know that working makes me a better mother to my boys.

I think that it is great for my kids to get the socilization and education at "school" that I would never be able to provide for them if they were home with me every day. And I kind of look at it this way- paying for day care is only temporary. So sure, right now not all of my pay is coming home with me...but one day they will be in school and I wont be paying day care and all those years they were in day care I was furthering my career. So once they are in school I will be making more money and we wont be paying for day care. (I hope that makes sense).

Good luck with your decision.

PhilsWife07 · April 2011

Yes, if working PT meant staying in my field and avoiding a gaping whole in my resume. I work PT and this is a big pro for me. In addition I have company-paid benefits and a 401k that my company contributes to. It's definitely not a lose-lose situation.

3/05bride · April 2011

I would say do it if you like your job. You won't need daycare forever, and if you want to go back to work later a hole in your resume is very difficult to overcome (depending on your field - moms coming back after a long break are really not viewed as valuable in my profession, unfortunately). Once you quite your job, who knows if you will find another job you like. You can always try it out and quit later if it does not seem worth the daycare expenses. In many fields taking time off has huge affects on the money you earn in the future too, so you should consider finances beyond what you currently earn/currently pay for daycare. If you didn't like your job I think my opinion would be different. Once my second is born, most of my take home pay will go to daycare, but I still have health insurance and a good retirement account that tip the financial scales and I hate to give up my job - I really enjoy it.

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