daycare may be dropping from $1850 to $0
My wife and I are in serious talks about her quitting. I have made a complete 180 on daycare and am 100% in favor of her quitting and being a stay home mom for awhile - at least until they are in school (5 more years). What does all think about that?
We ran the #'s and it looks like we would only be about -$700/month. We can adjust for that. Plus I may be getting a 20% raise this month.
We ran the #'s and it looks like we would only be about -$700/month. We can adjust for that. Plus I may be getting a 20% raise this month.
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sounds like she needs to start her own in home daycare at those prices
[:D]0 -
I am very pleased! You won't regret your decision. You only get one chance to raise a child. 0 -
...just think about it...she's working 173+- hours a week for $700 and someone else is raising your kids...spending most of their waking hours them. After deducting child care, your wife is working all those hours and turning over her kids to someone else for about $4.04/hr...it's a no brainer.
It would not even be a question for me. My wife is a stay at home mom.
Edit: I'm not sure if you've done all the numbers and included all her work attire, lunches, gas, auto expenses, etc, but she might be in the red...it doesn't take long to burn up that extra $700.0 -
My wife and I made that decision when the kids were little. She stayed home almost 6 years with our sons. It was tight at times, we drove older cars, but we bought our first home on just my salary and we actually saved a higher percent of our income than we do now.
Good for you and good for your children....0 -
Sounds like your wife was basically working to pay for daycare. Although -$700 isn't anything to sneeze at, like you said, cuts can be made. And you'll feel better knowing so much of your money isn't going to a third party.
And the kids benefit. I say, good decision.0 -
Sounds to me that having her stay home is what both of you want...
... so what's the question again?[:D]
It's better for the kids.
It's better for you two.
I say go for it.0 -
I think there is value immeasurable in the decision for her to be a stay at home mom until they reach school age.
My wife quit her job when my first son was born and remained a stay at home Mom until the second Son started school.
Now that the kids can take care of themselves and almost ready to move out, she works two jobs the crazy lady.0 -
DO IT! 0 -
My kids grown.When he was a baby I worked days and my wife worked part time in the afternoons. Grandma spent time sitting him too.We tried a day care for a very short time.It was a big mistake. Keep em with mom. Nobody loves and cares for them like family. You`ve got to factor in all the time they will be getting sick from crap they`ve caught at daycare too. 0 -
good decision, you'll make it , i did, and your children will have your values, not the sitters[;)][8D] 0 -
i didn't want my wife working to pay for daycare myself, as stated you get one shot at raising them, it has paid off greatly i think, we have two wonderful boys 14-19 that we are very close to, i know first hand what it is like to work 70+ hours, your kids do not even know you, the image etched in my mind is one day i came home not seeing my son {he was around 4} for three days due to work/sleep schedule, i come in, he runs down the hall not missing a beat and says "high dad" and runs on, broke my heart, i give that career up, and while we are not rich, i feel i am very lucky
your kids are to precious, they will be grown before you know, raise them with no regrets0 -
I remember your last post.
IMO, many members hear were unfairly judging you for placing your child in daycare. I would agree that up to the age of 3 its best for your wife to take care of them. My parents did that for my kids.
At age 3, I placed them in a "learning center". They had certified teachers. Then off to pre-school, and kinder. All this was big $$$$ for my wife and I, (like you I did not qualify for government assistance) but very well worth it.
I noticed an immediate change in my kids. After being exposed to other kids their age, they became more outgoing, talkative and would express themselves a lot better.
Today, my 3 kids are all in "gifted" programs at their school.0 -
If you don't think your wife can do a better job of raising your kids than the babysitter, you should have married the babysitter.
My wife quit working when we started having kids - her choice, not mine - and went back to work when the last one went to school. If you could see and know the results of her work with them, I don't think you would even consider taking a chance.
Great kids with top flight attitudes and top of their class academic performance vs. a few hundred a month? Easy, easy choice.
She's an outstanding Mom, and I'm fortunate to have her around.0 -
Wife and I split time so one of us is home with the kids all the time. Looking forward to having them both in school so we can start making some $ but right now this is what is best for the kids. 0 -
You and your wife will be happier and so will the kid. Its a tuff choice but if you manage your money right, i choice you will not regret. IMHO 0 -
It will be best for your Children.
Tell your wife that I am proud of her, too !!
If it gets too tough, let me know and maybe I can figure out a way to help.
Doug0 -
I stayed at home with our three until they were in school....but I cannot say that things wouldn't have been as good if they were in daycare. I would wait until she has been at home for at least a year to see if the schedule agrees with her. I fell into a depression....staying at home...looking at the housework.....no money to do anything extra....why change into clothes when you can stay in PJs....it got a little horrific toward the end before I went to work again. Even when I did get out it took a long time to get myself together. We are doing GREAT now...but I remember sleeping for three days straight when I was at my lowest. I just don't do well at being at home. I hope she does....but I hope you remember you will be the "connection" to the outside world. Make shure she takes some time for herself, help her with the house, get her some kind of money that she can have and not have to account for....and remember that her JOB is a 24 hour a day 7 day a week thing. Waking up at work...going to sleep at work....watching TV while looking at your unfinished work. Its harder than people think. 0 -
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Very good thoughts, LF.
Doug0 -
Nail down that anticipated raise first, then make these considerations. Joe 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I am very pleased! You won't regret your decision. You only get one chance to raise a child.
What nunn said.0 -
Thanks all for the well wishes. I am sure this is the right direction.
I am really tired of us all being sick all the time. My son is 5 months old and has already had a cold 3 times and pink eye once and even a 104 temp. The worst thing is my daughter is starting to show signs of bad socialization skills. She hit another kid at daycare and is getting mouthy at home (at 3). Her spot on the stairs is starting to get worn out (timeout)! I am sure she is like that because she sees us for 1/2 hour in the morning and 2 hours in the evening.
Money-wise I am not concerned at all. My wife and I decided long ago that we would never put ourselves in a position where we were dependant on 2 salaries.
She will get her BS in December and start work on her MBA next year(night school). So staying home is perfect for the next 5 years or so until she completes that and passes the CPA exam. Then maybe I can quit and take up woodworking and beer-making full time!
The ball is in her court and I will support her 100% in whatever decision she makes.0 -
Mine is over two years old now and know on wood, never been sick yet. She stays home with mommy. 0 -
We were in the same boat, working to pay the daycare. My wife made more than I did. So we decided in the mid 1980's, I should say home with the Kids. Wallet was a bit light, but we got by.
The TV is not a baby sitter, so we went to parks and Museums, the kind of things that don't cost much. Played with Legos,(I still do), Lincoln Logs and board games. As far as social interation for the kids we had plenty of young neighbors. We even went camping for vacations to cut the cost of hotels.
After the kids were old enough for school, I still stayed home so I was there when they got home. That's when I started my business, its grown now over the years (Gun Parts).
I think our kids have turned out allright, one graduates next year with Social Work degree and the other is half thru college. Great kids.0 -
A good idea. Before your wife quits her job, in which she gives up money for time to spend with her family, discuss what to do/say when other people figure that because she does not have a 9-5 job that she has plenty of free time to help them with their personal causes. 0
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