Go back to work or stay home??

Re: Go back to work or stay home??

• SmrBrd2012 member

  November 2015

  Only you can decide what's best for your family. I personally did not have a choice with going back to work (as much as I tried and tried to work with our finances). If it were up to me and we could swing it, I would have stayed home. However, I would suggest looking at other daycares. Yes, kids are subject to more illness but I like to think it will boost their immune system in the long run, at least, that makes me feel better about it...Also, I'm pretty sure there is some kind of law (maybe it's by state though) that daycares need to have 1 adult per 2-3 infants. You could also try to find a home daycare which usually has much fewer children and thus you would exposing your LO to much fewer germs. If your H only works for 3 (very long) days, could you find a job on the days he doesn't work?
  

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• NurseRieger member

  November 2015

  If you are only going to make enough to pay for day care and a 2nd car then don't work and have 1 car and economize. Perhaps do a little part time job on DH's days off? I use to work in a gym daycare through high school and college and during the morning hours Monday through Friday all the workers were moms who brought their own kids. If there's a gym with a daycare in your area that's something to consider.

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• DustyMelons member

  November 2015

  usmcrenegde01 said:

  Anyone else having trouble deciding whether to go back to work or stay home? My husband and I have discussed and discussed this issue. Either way would be financially tough for us. If I go back go work I'd basically just being going to have a second car...if I stay home we'd only have 1 car but id have no income to help with the household. I just don't know what to decide. I feel bad putting all the household finances on my hubby. Baby girl would be subject to all kinds of sicknesses...the tour we did of the daycare I was not impressed. The nursery already had 5 other kids to 1 lady and she just seemed over whelmed already with them. Two crying, one with snot hanging out and two quiet semi to far away from her for my liking. I don't want to leave her either. Of course if I work I'd be juggling everything while hubby is stuck at work for days on overtime. He works 24hr shifts...so If he's stuck on OT he won't be home for 3 days. So I'm essence I'd be one running with my head cut off taking care of the house, both children, and getting to work. I néed advise...please help...what are yall doing? Anyone else having this issue?

  
  This is such a personal decision. Everyone's circumstances are different. Here's what I would take into consideration for your situation:

  
  

  1. Are there other daycare options? People run in home daycares, there are nanny shares, etc.

  
  

  2. If you stayed home, will you be able to function without a car? Is there public transportation or are you within walking distance to things like the grocery store, library, shopping centers, walking paths, etc? I wouldn't want to stay home with my child if getting out of the house was a big inconvenience.

  
  

  3. Could you work part time or an alternative schedule, enabling you to either keep the car or find alternate childcare arrangements?

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• TheWhitfields member

  November 2015

  For our family it worked best for my wife to stay home with our little one. The money that she would make would basically be passed right along to the daycare or nanny. It wouldn't be financially responsible for her to work enough that she wouldn't bring home anything after daycare, so she stays home and cares for our babygirl, keeps up the house, bills, and everything. In that respect we save a lot of money. The only way we'd consider her going back to work is if we found suitable, reliable, affordable care, which we haven't found.

  
  

  That being said, this is a highly individualized decision. Each family has it's own unique financial situation, goals, and priorities. Sometimes it isn't feasible for both parents to stay home, and sometimes it's the opposite. It's a decision you'll have to make on your own. 

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• shaley29 member

  November 2015

  I'd totally stay home if I could financially. Unfortunately for us our bills can't survive off one income. I've been lucky enough to be home for almost 5 months. If you can financially stay home I say do it. Nothing compares to time with your baby. If you have to work look for a different daycare, or maybe hire a nanny? Thankfully my mom is babysitting. I can't imagine leaving her with a stranger at this age

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