Re: Day care vs stay at home Mom

I have to go back to work. My dream is if I was able to stop working after we (god willing!) have our 2nd. But, I'd plan to space them apart a few years anyway so that won't happen for a while. With me working we don't have to worry as much about a budget as we would if it was only 1 salary, so it's tough to let that go! I just don't know who will be watching our LO since I will have to work at least 4 days a week. DH is a union guy and is usually home by 4PM so that's the one good thing that he could relieve our sitter early (I'd prefer to hold off on daycare until the age of 1-2 if possible). My mom shouldn't really watch kids younger than 4, otherwise she'd be ideal (she doesn't pay attention at all lol), my MIL is overwhelmed with her other grandkids, so I don't think she could commit to watching a baby for a full day 4x per week. I wish we had more options within the family!

Re: Day care vs stay at home Mom

Unfortunately I have to have an income in order for us to make it financially....I'm trying to figure out a way to swing part time rather than full time! DH said as long as I can find a way to keep my salary similar to current then we can make it work...I am a therapist so I just started seeing private clients through an agency and hopefully I'll be able to get a fuller caseload and just work the one job at night so we can get away form daycare expenses! I have 3 months to get more clients!!! haha! My other idea was to watch other children in the house. Dh said that was a good idea but I needed to come up with a plan and that is not my strong point. I am great with kids, have been working with them since i was a kid myself. I grew up in a home daycare run by my mom so I know I could do it....just figuring out how, is my problem....

Re: Day care vs stay at home Mom

I was a SAHM for 10mo after DS was born. When I went back to work, I did not know how I was able to stay home for so long. I love the adult interaction during the day and be able to be on my own for a few hours a day. It's a bonus that we LOVE LOVE LOVE DS babysitter and we're very thrilled that she is going to be watching our new LO too.

Re: Day care vs stay at home Mom

i would love to be a SAHM, however financially we cant do it, i might be able to cut back on my hrs alittle if DH gets his raise. which i hope he does, b/c right now i work full time, and im finishing up grad school, that and taking care of everything else is hard. i had to go back to work when my DS (3.5) was 6 weeks, i was on bedrest for 6 months so that cut into my maternity time. So we shall see, hopefully no bed rest this time.

Re: Day care vs stay at home Mom

I plan on being a sahm. I can't wait! I will go back in a few years.