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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Babysitter/Day care concern
So I'm looking into the cost of someone coming to the house 8 hours a day to watch the baby when I go back to work. I got one quote of $500-$700 a week!!! I'm hearing of some as high as $1000 a week. I'd really hate to put a newborn in daycare... just doesn't feel right to DH and I. We have no family to watch the baby. Honestly, at these rates I'd be working to pay someone to watch my child... I'd just as soon stay home. I'm in a unique situation b/c I don't have high expenses for work, my meals are often paid for and I have no car/gas/commute expenses. I make good money, but these rates would eat up the bulk of what I earn. I have student loans and credit cards that need to be tended to, that's what I'm usually working for. I'll never get those things paid off at this rate.
WOW!
Any ideas or alternatives? I'd hate for a newborn to be in an environment with so many other kids and no one on one attention. I hear so many horror stories about daycare on the news and such. I'm planning BFing/pumping too and I'd feel better knowing the only bottles near my child are mine. AND I don't think daycare is so cheap either. This stinks!
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Posted 1/18/08 9:27 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
Name:
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Any trust-worthy friends who don't work? Wish I didn't work so I could babysit
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| Posted 1/18/08 9:35 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
I was a full-time nanny during my college summers and I had friends who did about the same. We both got paid around $325-$350 for 2 kids. You should definetely be able to find someone for around that. $500+ is insane.
ETA: What about finding a SAHM to either watch the baby in your home or hers?
Message edited 1/18/2008 9:42:31 PM.
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| Posted 1/18/08 9:41 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
It would be cheaper if you dropped DC to someone's home.
My question is what would make you trust more someone coming to your house vs. dropping DC to someone's house?
I personally did not trust anyone to take care of DC. I actually like daycare because there are more people, more control, it's open for everyone to see what is going on. We don't have any family close by so that was not an option.
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| Posted 1/18/08 10:03 PM |
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Leeners
:)
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Eileen
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Posted by smdl
I personally did not trust anyone to take care of DC. I actually like daycare because there are more people, more control, it's open for everyone to see what is going on.
ITA!
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| Posted 1/18/08 10:18 PM |
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SpiceGirl
Dream big
Member since 1/06 2486 total posts
Name:
j
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
I felt the same way you did about daycare. It's very hard to drop off your 3 month old, knowing these women have 7 other babies to tend to and how can they possibly give your baby the attention he/or she needs.
Well, here I am 14 mos later and my DD is doing great in daycare. She has 7 little playmates all day long. When I walk in and see them playing together, it just makes me smile. Also, the women are great...they sing songs with the kids, sit on the floor and play with them, hug them, hold them when they cry, etc.
Is it perfect? No. Perfect would be me staying home with DD, but for right now, that's not possible. But I do like that DD has interaction with other children.
Good luck!
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| Posted 1/18/08 10:26 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Posted by SpiceGirl
I felt the same way you did about daycare. It's very hard to drop off your 3 month old, knowing these women have 7 other babies to tend to and how can they possibly give your baby the attention he/or she needs.
There are NY Regulations on how many babies can be taking care by daycare workers.
The regulation is 4 babies per daycare worker. It's a standard!
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| Posted 1/18/08 10:30 PM |
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SpiceGirl
Dream big
Member since 1/06 2486 total posts
Name:
j
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Posted by smdl
Posted by SpiceGirl
I felt the same way you did about daycare. It's very hard to drop off your 3 month old, knowing these women have 7 other babies to tend to and how can they possibly give your baby the attention he/or she needs.
There are NY Regulations on how many babies can be taking care by daycare workers.
The regulation is 4 babies per daycare worker. It's a standard!
That's correct. In the daycare I use...there are 8 children per room...with two caretakers per room.
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| Posted 1/18/08 11:36 PM |
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ckone
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3014 total posts
Name:
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
DS went to a woman's home - she was state certified and licensed. She had two other little girls and my son. She was really loving and would yake really good care of him.
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| Posted 1/19/08 12:49 AM |
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mikeswife06
Drama Momma
Member since 9/06 9947 total posts
Name:
Anne
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
You'll work it out. Maybe you can find someone who you can drop off to them. Maybe you could take a little longer maternity leave and then have someone come to the house temporarily until DC is like 7 or 8 months old then put them in day care. Where do you live?
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| Posted 1/19/08 7:54 AM |
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Heather617
My Babies
Member since 5/05 2566 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Posted by Leeners
Posted by smdl
I personally did not trust anyone to take care of DC. I actually like daycare because there are more people, more control, it's open for everyone to see what is going on.
ITA!
I agree with this also. I don't have anyone I know to take care of DC so I would prefer daycare.
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| Posted 1/19/08 9:06 AM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Posted by smdl
My question is what would make you trust more someone coming to your house vs. dropping DC to someone's house?
2 words... Nanny cams! Seriously, that and the fact I'd have people stop by the house during the day. I have no one that can watch the baby, even my SAHM's friends are at the max with their own kids (both seem overwhelmed since they both have 2 young one's each). I feel that the person that comes to my home would just have my child to deal with, not 20. I also have heard (not sure of the truth of this) that they get sick more often in day care and that day care centers will call you in the middle of the day should your child become ill... if my child became ill at my house with a Nanny, the nanny can respond to it so that I don't have to use vaca time to stay home. My company's very strict about only using sick time for your own illness (granted, cough-cough, I guess you can fib).
The other issue is that we don't keep fixed schedules. We are in sales and and have fairly flexible schedules - we make our own... however I need someone to be flexible enough that should something come up that may require a longer day, that they can swing it. I also wanted some help with housekeeping. Nothing major, just load my dishwasher and clean up the baby so that I can spend some time with my baby who's life I'll be missing out on while I'm at work. I also like that I can stop home during the day and hang with the baby for a while if I have a longer day or an appointment in the afternoon. Can you visit with your child at a Day Care Center? I'd probably be looking at one in Garden City or the Great Neck area. What's better closer to home or closer to work? Maybe given my circumstances - closer to work. Also, say you get out early, and pick up your DC early, but you get a call and need to go back in to work, can you then drop DC back off? I know that sounds nuts, but just in case... Not sure if that makes any sense. Any recommendations would be great. And to the poster that wrote that she used to sit for a few hundred a week... how do I find out about people willing to do that?
I have to ask this too b/c it's making me nuts... but does anyone feel they are missing out on their child's life over their job? I am so scared my child will say his/her first words, take first steps, etc. for a babysitter rather than for me. I know lots of people do this working mom thing, but I'm really struggling with it. Just want to know how others are handling it. Did anyone miss out on anything? I'm so mad at myself for taking on so many expenses and going to grad school... my career is so uninteresting to me compared to the thought that I'm going to have a child of my very own. I used to be more interested in the job thing, I guess my priorities have changed a bit. Doesn't help that my 2 closest friends get to stay home with their kids and my mom and DH's mom were both SAHM's. Am I overthinking this stuff? I'm not one of those people that would "get bored" being home... I can always find things to do and I'd love to not have to deal with work stress and corporate BS and just focus on what matters most to me. Gosh, I should play lotto or something
Message edited 1/21/2008 2:25:29 PM.
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| Posted 1/20/08 10:09 PM |
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Rycois
Blessed with 2blue/2pink
Member since 12/05 13341 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
Posted by Heather617
Posted by Leeners
Posted by smdl
I personally did not trust anyone to take care of DC. I actually like daycare because there are more people, more control, it's open for everyone to see what is going on.
ITA!
I agree with this also. I don't have anyone I know to take care of DC so I would prefer daycare.
This is my feeling too. Everytime I mention daycare to someone they say, "well did you look into a nanny?" - no, we really didn't because personally I am uncomfortable with a stranger in my home caring for my child. But, it's a very personal decision.
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| Posted 1/20/08 10:11 PM |
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Charly
LOVE!
Member since 5/05 12578 total posts
Name:
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
I totally see both sides - wanting someone in the home for convenience/flexibilty and 1:1 care as well as having the checks and balances of a center. I have a DD in daycare, but still battle with nanny vs. daycare all the time, esp with #2 on the way.
For my 14 month old - I think she likes having the interaction with the other children and I see she likes her teachers, but it is very difficult sending a small infant to a center (IMO), but I did it and not sure what I will do when #2 arrives.
The cost of 2 kids in my daycare is still slightly less than having a nanny come. I also only found $600 a week to be the minimum fee for a nanny.
If you want to keep your costs down I think you are going to have to look outside the home whether it's in home care or a center.
oh and yes it is true that children that are around other children, whether a center or in home care, will get sick more. The only benefit is they build a strong immune system. You will deal with it now or you will deal with it whenever your child enters a school program. You won't be able to avoid it.
Not sure I helped at all, sorry
Message edited 1/20/2008 10:33:33 PM.
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| Posted 1/20/08 10:31 PM |
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SupportACop
Momma's Boy & Lovin' it!!
Member since 5/06 2579 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
We are having the same problem choosing. DH works and I work and the baby is coming and we don't have anyone here to watch it.
DH's parents are old and can't take care of a baby. My mom does not live here and my father still works and will help out when needed but it is not full time...we are debating and wondering what to do when I go back to work when school starts in Sept. '
It is a rough decision and I hate to put the baby in daycare but if you find a good place, NYS has strict laws, and in a good town it should be okay.
Good luck and it is a touch decision
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| Posted 1/21/08 7:07 AM |
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lovemy2boys
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 3915 total posts
Name:
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
is there any way you can take one year off, and maybe watch another child in your home?
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| Posted 1/21/08 8:46 AM |
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Hershey
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/07 557 total posts
Name:
Marci
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
I have a 21 month old DD who has been in daycare since 3 months. I was skeptical of leaving her there too but I looked around interviewed alot of place and went back to get a feel for the people and how the day works there, etc. I checked with the state to see if there were violations on the places and if so what they were. After this we found a place that we really like. The owner takes no crap from the employees and the girls that work there are very good.
In my opinion, I like the daycare atmosphere better because my DD gets to interact with other children her age and there are other adults there to keep on eye on the adults so not weird stuff can happ, unlike having a nanny home by herself with your child.
My daughter is very comfortable with the staff there and I'm happy about that.
I breastfed too and the key is to label everything. They are very good about giving the children the food labeled for them.
So when number two comes along for DH and I, I will have both of them in daycare as well. I also work from home two days a week so DD is only in daycare for 3 days.
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| Posted 1/21/08 12:59 PM |
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Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
After working in daycare for some many years...I'm hesitant to put my baby in that situation.
I was also a nanny and enjoyed that much more. ( I knew the family for years prior and yes, I was paid well) its nice, b/c there is more one on one attention given to the children.
I would look into finding someone to watch your baby, either coming to your home or being dropped off at someone's home. JMO
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| Posted 1/21/08 1:12 PM |
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shellybean
Love my Baby Boy!
Member since 4/07 5191 total posts
Name:
mich
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Re: Babysitter/Day care concern
you have fm
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| Posted 1/21/08 1:48 PM |
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