Re: Pondering having a second child...(especially looking for moms living OOS from family)

I have three (6,4,8 months) and live no where near family. Plus, I own a business. Its not the easiest thing in the world, but its not impossible. I'm home all day with the kids and work from home and then go into the store a few times a week. I have zero help from family during the week. I do have a nice circle of friends in my neighborhood with one friend in particular who will help me out during the week if I need to go to a meeting or something. We swamp sitting for each other so we can go to doc appointments etc.

While I would love to have family in town who just came over to help when kids were sick or whatever, its never been that way, so I dont know any different.

Re: Pondering having a second child...(especially looking for moms living OOS from family)

It's doable, you just have to become resourceful. We don't have ANY family to help out at all, so we've created very strong, close bonds with other families in the area, and with the teachers at our school. We now have plenty of resources to watch the girls whenever school is closed. As for sick days, DH and I find a way to toggle our schedules so that neither of us miss too much work.

The first year is hard, but after that, it's pretty easy...

Re: Pondering having a second child...(especially looking for moms living OOS from family)

my family is OOS and my in laws are not capable of watching two kids all day everyday.

DS was in daycare...but no way could I afford 2 in daycare (2800).

Got a nanny...best thing ever...love her and much much more affordable!

Re: Pondering having a second child...(especially looking for moms living OOS from family)

We have no family around, and the decision was for me to give up my job. The cost of daycare for one in full time, and another in after school care was too expensive for me to really carry on working. My salary wasn't integral to our mortgage and bills being paid, so we were in a good place.

I have a big network of friends, and offers poured in to help with the kids, as did food and drink to my door. However as my daughter is only one, she stayed with Daddy. My friends are my everything here, they are my babysitters, my shoulders to cry on....having good friends makes a big difference!

The issues with having no family around are the same as with one, for instance, this week I had a nasty case of the flu, and my husband had to cancel a business trip and take three days off of work to look after me & Immi, but thats just life. It doesn't happen but every few years, so it was no big deal....

You would regret not havng another one if you want one!

Message edited 3/31/2011 3:34:51 PM.