Sunday, September 28, 2008

Daycare costs ...

I mentioned daycare costs a few down and wanted to explain something. This is totally ~not~ a daycare vs SAHM thing - for whatever you choose, it's your choice. I'm simply explaining why it's good for US. That's it.

Sure, my cost of $2,182.29/month is a lot for me to pay and it may be cheaper to hire someone to come into my home (although I know a nanny is more expensive!). But the reasons I will continue to pay this is:
~ It's temporary and as the girls get into kindergarten, it will go down.
~ I will be able to keep my place in my career without a reintroduction period. With three children, we need to be a two income family. And unfortunately, one of us don't have spectacularly paid careers that can support us all comfortably. So, we both must work.
~ Daycare centers are what I like better because of the checks and balances they provide over a single person taking care of my children.

I'm just hopeful that everyone out there who needs it, finds a solution that works for them.

8 comments:

Jenera said...

I looked into putting Aidan into daycare a couple of times so that I could get out there and do something with myself. What I found is that with our job market I'd be paying to work-I'd be making about $1200 a month and paying more than that in daycare. It just didn't work for us.

Luckily I have chosen something to start a career in that I can do from home for now until the kid(s) are older or until my hubby gets a local job.

Anonymous said...

I SAH with my 2 boys but I agree with you that a group daycare center is the way to go if you want to or have to work b/c of the checks and balances. You never really know what that one nanny or home daycare lady is doing with your kids but in a center there is more than one employee plus a director.

Not in the Water said...

We are on the East Coast....in one of the most expensive areas outside a major city. EVERYTHING IS $$$$$$$$$$ here.

For me, I am the bread winner by a lot. So SAHM is not a choice for me when the time comes. But as of now we can't afford for DH to be a SAHD anyway. HOWEVER, I am also in a field that will change too much if I was to get out of it for anything longer than a year or so.

And I like my job, I think I would want to work.

Anonymous said...

I am a sahm but I am obvioulsy not against daycare. My mom is a preschool teacher and has worked in quite a few places that have daycare in the building also, she now does home daycare. She said that being a licensed daycare provider she gets checked up on a lot more than she did being a teacher and a lot more than the daycare centers. They actually come to her house whereas in a daycare center it's usually just a phone call. I just wanted to let everybody know because I too thought daycare centers where a lot safer but you never really know.....

Happy said...

I go back and forth about being a SAHM. Yes, we can afford it. Do I make enough money for it be worth it. I live on the East coast like the other commenter. If I can convince my boss to let me work part time, my mom has said she will come to our house and take care of our baby. If I had the perfect situation, I'd like to work M-W-F, have 2 mom babysitting, and 1 daycare (socialization and all that). But I don't know if I'll get my way or not. I just waiting to see how everything plays out.

Anonymous said...

I think a daycare center will be the best option for us too. I just hope we can find one. Some in our area don't keep a waiting list, some don't answer the phone, don't want you to visit unannounced, and because of the hurricane, some are temporarily closed! Yikes!

Jennifer said...

From what you've said you are paying for an awesome center...I guess like a "private school" daycare. I chose to go with people I know from church. I wasn't really comfortable doing in-home with someone I didn't know well. I just know I don't pay her what she's worth....she's been great.

Anonymous said...

Victoria is in daycare now to the tune of $1500/month for 4 days a week (My Mom watches her the other day) andyway, with the twins coming, I will be staying at home. To put all 3 in that daycare would cost $4200.00 with the ' discount' and to me, that is insane!