If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

what are you doing about daycare?

I guess my question should be more directed to Suffolk residents because I'm thinking we are going to have a major problem with how early we need to start our day.

DH works from home 3 days a week - usually but it's not a set schedule. On the days he does have to go into the city, he usually leaves before 6AM!! And if I'm screwed into being FT in NYC post baby, I need to catch a 6:28 or 6:47AM train


I soooooooooooooooo hate work!!

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

Most daycare centers do not open that early. Have you thought about hiring a nanny?

I hate work too

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

I live in suffolk and commute to the city.

I usually catch a 6:07am train. So My husband will drop the baby off.

I checked out 4 daycare centers, the earliest they opened was 7am. I thought the same thing when looking at places, what about city commuters ?

My husband travels often, so I will have to adjust my work hours during those times.


I hate work too!
I can't believe I'm going to have to pay someone (daycare) so I can go to a job I hate

Message edited 5/29/2009 7:35:32 AM.

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

I work nights and my DH has to be at work at 7am. We need someone before 7am and we are having trouble finding someone also.
Most daycares start their day at 7am.
It stinks!

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

I have a friend who has the same issue - no daycares seem to open before 630am. Can you speak with your company and arrange it so you can take the next train to let you drop the baby at 630?

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

that's what i was going to say to, can you speak to your company about possibly starting a little later and then i guess leaving slightly later?

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

im torn..right now i commute from PA to NYC everyday. I cannot be that far from home when the baby comes.

i may have to come back to work temporarily b/c itm not sure if i will have to pay back health benefits if i resign during leave. I'll have to figure something out if thats the case. But im thinking about staying home full time. i already have a side business i earn extra income from that i could probably focus on more now and at least i could generate some money for expenses while being home. and cut the commuting costs out, which now is $500 p/month just to get to work.

or work part time closer to home.

either way my salary will go to daycare if im working full time so its like i might as well stay home if im going to lose the salary anyway.

this is the hardest decision yet!!

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

I'm not sure what types of day care you are looking into - but we are going to be using a small, home care place (I think she has about 5 kids total) and she is VERY flexible. DH and I wouldn't really have a problem wth it - but she said if we had to drop the baby off especially early, she'll work with us. Same if we needed to be late. I think because it's such a small place out of her home she is able to be more flexible.

My SIL was having the same problem - she has to leave before 6:30 every day and her DH leaves really early most monings and she was able to find a place that would work with them - again another small in home daycare.

Good luck!

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

My job is COMPLETELY inflexible (maybe payback for accepting the job when I was already pregnant? Who knows).


Thanks for the ideas and what you've seen work ... I do NOT want to go back to work (I've always said I wouldn't if I ever had a child) but even if I have to work to pay for daycare, the medical benefits are what I really need to work for (DH works for a small co with crappy benefits).

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

I don't come into the office until later. Right now, I usually drop DS at daycare between 8-8:30AM and get in between 9:30AM-10AM.

I get home later (usually 7-7:30PM). DH picks DS up around 4:30PM.

You're probably better off adjusting your hours or having someone come to you

Re: If you are going back to work after baby & work in the city ...

This is NOT a good idea and I don't pretend it would be easy, but since you live in Suffolk, can you head west and find a daycare in Nassau county that starts at 7? Then you can drop the baby off at 7 and maybe take a 7:30 train, since the LIRR ride won't be as long.

Maybe find a place in Mineola... Then grab the train from there which is a 30 minute ride.

OR

Again, not a good solution, but can you take the baby with you to the city and find daycare near your office?

Sorry, I don't have a better suggestion other than finding a job closer to home or getting an au pair.