Child Care

[Jules31981]

OK so I have started thinking about what I am going to do for child care after my leave.  I have 5 months after after the baby becuase I am a teacher and timing worked perfectly for us, but I can't decide what to do after that 5 months.  I wish we both didnt need to work, but we do.  I 've worked daycares and really don't like the atmosphere, but I ma afraid of hime care too.  Any suggestions?????

[Lachises]

I have to go back to work.  I work for a small company so FMLA doesn't apply to me and I only get 6 weeks of maternity and about 3 weeks of that paid (whatever I can save up in PTO).  I work a 7-4 and my husband is 8-5 so it's full time daycare.  It's scary but I know a lot of families have to do it.  I'm going to start looking really soon, taking tours... etc.  I'm hoping to find the best that we can afford.

[ovaz129]

My husband and I are real estate agents and have the luxury of working from home.  So, we won't be needing day/home care.  My parents live exactly a mile up the street from us, so if we have to leave for a few hours... its really no biggy.  

But, if I were still teaching I would probably apply to work a half day (which is popular within my old district) and share that day with another teacher, and have my parents watch Leighton during those hours.  But, fortunately... we don't have to worry about that.

[AmyC311]

I am kind of an "other" on this. I am going to go back to school in the fall full-time. It is basically like a full time job with the same hours and such...but I will be doing "work" for free. (Dental Hygiene...) So..since I won't have an income my mom is going to watch her for 2 days a week and the other 3 we will just have to use a daycare. So we are kind of a "both" option except I know who is watching her at least 2 of the days.

It is going to be SOOOO hard to leave her!! But at least by then she will be at least 6 months old so maybe it won't be so bad. I might see what my other friends are going to do with their babies (they are ALL having babies right around the same time as I am..) so we might hire a couple of sitters and share them or something..I don't know.

[jennymay]

I am very torn on this issue myself. I definitely have to work, we just could not afford to live on one income. But I work a bit earlier than my DH, so our hope is that he can take the baby before he goes to work, that isn't until about 1 pm, so hopefully that will cut the cost back a lot, hopefully just half day's pay. I am also hoping that my MIL will want to pick her up too, since I work until 8, and I know after hours pay is outragous... Really, I am just kinda hoping it will all come together before she is born! I think I would prefer home care, because I do know a trustworthy provider, and I don't really like the daycare scene for younger babies

[Whitneylauren]

When my son was born I was a full time student, a single parent, and I worked full time. It was really hard. He ended up having a really difficult time emotionally because I was never home. When I got married two years ago we decided I would stay home with our (my) son. Our son made a complete 180 when I began staying home, no more tantrums, no more crying- he just became a happier and more secure little boy. Now my husband is finishing his degree and owns + operates his own business. He works a ton to make ends meet, but I would not leave home for the world. We will be having our second child in early March. I plan on staying home until all my children are in school then I will work while they are there- I want to be home when they are home.

[evthing4reason]

I most likely will not be going back to my current job, but for my sanity i will work outside the house doing something, even if its just part time. My mom will be taing care of the baby so i don't have that to worry about, just the fact that i will be making a complete career change.

[kele1129]

I am a full ime student and my husband works second shift, so I have registered for morning classes in hopes that it will work out that while I am in school Chris will be home with Phin and then when I get home he can head off to work. We plan to do that as long as we can, with occasional help from his mom if I need to take some classes in the afternoons.

[justice6920]

Me and DH definitely have to both work as well.... i am will try to get as much time off under my FLMA (Family Medical Leave Act) as I can but of course will eventually have to go back to work..... I am lucky enough to have my sister stay home and watch him for me....So I feel really good about that, I would hate to just leave him so little with someone I dont really know....I feel blessed that I have that option