Comments on: When Daycare Costs More Than Your Salary

By: Sophie

Sophie — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:41:48 +0000

I sympathise, Christine – childcare expenses can make it difficult for new mums to return to work. If you have friends or family that you can ask for help, don’t be unwilling to impose on them! I’ve been lucky to have offers of help with childcare from neighbours, and my partner’s schedule allows him to care for our baby while I work.

When you’re ready to get back into the workplace, don’t forget that you can talk with your employer, too. Many are able to give mothers a little extra flexibility in their working hours or start and finish times, which can be very helpful to fit in with the times that your babysitter is available.

By: Christine

Christine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:27:22 +0000

I’m tying to figure out daycare as well, I have 3 children, and daycare you be 175 a week for my infant, 100 a week per toddler, to 375 a week for all. My husband works but we need a 2nd income. i’m leave now for tha baby’s birth and such, when i was working i was making 300 every two weeks. How are people suposed to get their heads above water?

By: CompGuy

CompGuy — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:55:45 +0000

Does anyone one know of anymore forums where I can get some real information. I see that there's a lot of spam that makes it through. Thanks,

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Preston — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:02:43 +0000

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By: Weekly Carnivals and Roundup

Weekly Carnivals and Roundup — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:32:13 +0000

[...] talks about “When daycare costs more than your salary.” This is so me, but my DH pointed out you lose your earning power if you stop [...]

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:35:23 +0000

This is such a difficult issue. I know that my state (Maryland) is one of the few that actually have laws that dictate the ages at which children can be unsupervised. Children under 8 may not be left in unsupervised, in cars or houses. In order to count as “supervision,” the supervisor must be at least 13. Of course, the way the law is written, I’m in violation if I go check the mail or water the garden while my 7 year old is asleep, but that is another issue. I’ve heard that there is a four hour limit (though it isn’t in the code) and I’ve also heard that if the child demonstrates that they are unable to care for themselves that Child Protective Services is authorized to intervene. In most other states, there are vague guidelines that are very subjective.

Enough of the legal side. It sounds like her kids were actually fine, though it seems like an unsafe situation. Heck, they were probably safer than if they were in poor child care. It is truly a shame that we’ve reached such a state that your waitress was forced to make such a difficult choice.

I have a 10 year old and a 9 year old. I do occasionally leave them home alone for brief periods of time, usually 10 minutes but sometimes up to an hour. They are pretty responsible kids or I wouldn’t do it. Also, we live in a very safe neighborhood with pretty alert neighbors. It still makes me a little nervous but I assume that I’d be nervous even if I waited until they were 20 to let them be home alone.

Great post, and I hope that everything works out well for your waitress. I’m glad that the restaurant is helping her. I always see small children in Chinese restaurants around here!

By: Polly Poorhouse

Polly Poorhouse — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:55:13 +0000

This is a really tough situation. We had to scramble when Mr. Poorhouse went back to work in September. For parents who work during the day, one life-saving idea for school-age kids is to see if there is a local Boys & Girls club. For a very minimal yearly fee, you can drop off your kids in a supervised, safe, and fun place. They have more structured (and more expensive afterschool programs) if your kids need that, and if you can afford it. Sometimes they even have bus service from local schools.

We’ve used a combination of teenage babysitters, a few hours home alone, supervised by the 11 year old, and bringing the kids to work fora few hours. It’s always a challenge, especially on early release days.

Not sure what will happen over the summer or even the holiday break. When you’re making minimum wage, it doesn’t make sense to pay the babysitter as much as you make. I feel for the waitress, and I can see why she thought it was what she had to do. Let’s hope she kind find a safer solution for her family.

By: LAL

LAL — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:19:43 +0000

There is no easy answer. What can you do?

By: Kristy

Kristy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:08:54 +0000

Wow, thanks for the comments guys! It’s certainly a tough situation to be in and not being a parent myself, I don’t fully appreciate what my waitress friend is going through. I stopped in and talked to her about it the other day. She’s not sure yet what CPS is going to do. There’s an investigation going on right now. She told me her mom is coming down from Colorado to help out with the kids while this is going on, but she’s not entirely sure what she’s going to do. The restaurant is keeping her on, probably because many of us regulars are specifically asking for her to help her with money. I think I’ve gone in about twice as much as normal, and other regulars are doing the same. But, if CPS lets her slide with a warning this time, I think she’s going to have to move to Colorado so her parents can help her. In the meantime, the restaurant has set up a small area in the closed off section where she can bring her kids inside. It’s only temporary, but everyone is trying to help her. I don’t know about child support or anything like that, I haven’t asked, but I’m guessing that if she’s having to leave the kids in the car, then she’s not receiving it.

@ Mrs. PT – Congrats on the first baby! I hope you’re both healthy and well and be sure to let us know how everything goes and what you decide! Good luck with grad school and the baby!

@ Ashley – Start one! LOL. I don’t know how all that works, but I’d be happy to research it for you if you’d like.

@ Amber – I like that idea of going to the high school and setting up appts with guidance counselor’s and the students. I hadn’t thought of that, but the counselors have a pretty good idea who is and isn’t capable of taking care of kids. Thanks for sharing!

By: Mrs. PT

Mrs. PT — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:28:24 +0000

Now that we are expecting our first baby this spring the daycare vs work debate is often on my mind. Fortunately I will be finishing graduate school part time next year and the nights that I do go to class PT will be home to watch the baby. But will I go right back to work when my degree is complete? That I don’t know yet. The cost of daycare will be a major deciding factor though.