Post # 16
Member
11744 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
I just wanted to come back and tell you to remember that daycare costs decrease as they get older! Plus, it’s really only a 5 year investment, since after that they are in school, which if you use public schools is no cost to you. Paying for daycare is rough, but it’s one of those things that comes with having a child. We were actually able to save a good portion of my daughter’s first year daycare tuition while I was pregnant, which helps alleviate some of the stress, especially when I decided to cut my hours back at work after my maternity leave was over.
Post # 17
Member
1009 posts
Bumble bee
See if you have any online listserves for parents in your area. You might get good info there. I’ll be 26w tomorrow and I’m STILL putting off researching daycare, as it freaks me out and ignorance is bliss (I can also take up to a year off, unpaid, so I’m not in a huge rush since I figure if we do infant daycare, then all my money will go to daycare, so financially it’s the same either way). But I see lots of posts about daycares and nannies on my local listserve.
Post # 18
Member
2847 posts
Sugar bee
I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old. I went back to work at 8 weeks with the first one and at about 4 months with the second. They were both in full time daycare at a center. My son, the 10 year old (almost 11), just tested into the advanced track for math at his middle school. My daughter starts first grade in a couple of weeks. Both are happy, smart, well-adjusted, friendly. Kids who go to daycare turn out just fine! The kids’ daycare was wonderful, and even had a camera so you could check on your child during the day. Honestly, this working business is way harder on mama than it is on the kids!
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This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by NavyBee.
Post # 19
Member
234 posts
Helper bee
Thanks for all of the responses! I guess I wasn’t that clear before but I’m not at all against any options, especially not a chain daycare because there is one right by my work, but the problem is they’re reallllly expensive ($3,000+/month)… I suppose we could afford it if we decided to really cut back (or if we could figure out how to pay it pre-tax) but it’d be painful… It also really depends on if Darling Husband gets the job he’s been working towards because I’ve been the sole breadwinner while he’s been in grad school (he worked part time but all of his money went to tuition) for the past few years and he’s finally done!
kl1987: I don’t know anyone around here who is a stay at home mom, but I’m hoping I’ll make friends in the next few months through pregnancy classes and maybe meet someone who’s due a little before I am… The real problem I think I’ll face is that anyone who does stay at home around here probably wouldn’t care about money (most stay at home moms around me have nannies too) and wouldn’t want the added work… I think I might have a chance with a nanny share if another family takes pity on me though…
bebelicious1: I have considered becoming a sitter myself but unfortunately there are too many reasons it wouldn’t work… I have to maintain my current income level because I hold a number of mortgages for investment properties (which pay for themselves, but banks don’t like it when things change and could call them due), and even if that wasn’t an issue I live in a tiny one bedroom condo, so it’ll be tight with one baby here much less a mini-daycare…
Post # 20
Member
234 posts
Helper bee
HopefulForLittleOne: What is a listserv? I’ve been trying to figure out where someone would post for a nannyshare or a home daycare that isn’t craigslist (which still feels a little iffy to me)… I know I’m super early to be looking but it’d be interesting to see if anyone in my area is thinking about doing one so I could know if it’s even a possiblity…
MrsWBS: That is very true, I just have to figure out how to survive those years! I am due in the end of February so I’m very intrigued by finding a student for the summer especially because I live in Boston so there are a TON of colleges around here and I am right on one of the major T (subway) lines…
Post # 21
Member
1009 posts
Bumble bee
Google “[your city] parents group” or “[your city] parents listserv.” I did that for Boston, and one of the links that come up was this. http://www.bostonmamas.com/local-resources Here are some NYC groups. http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/new-york-families/best-parenting-groups-in-nyc (I’m in NYC, and my group isn’t included here, so this is not an exclusive list). When finding such resources, google is your friend. I’d trust such a group much more than Craigslist. Our group has posts almost every day about nanny shares.
Post # 22
Member
11744 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
lazybee123: I know quite a few people in that area (including some recent college grads) and am happy to ask around for you if they are looking or know of anyone who is looking for a nanny position…
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