Facing The Daycare Dilemma
By Cheryl Gochnauer
"In my nearly 9 years of motherhood, I've always wanted to be a stay-at-homemom," says Kass, who has three young sons. "It's not just because I don'tlike working outside the home. It's not because I'm not particularlycareer-minded, or because I love to spend every minute of the day with mywonderfully obnoxious, energetic boys. It's because I simply dread thewhole 'gotta find a babysitter/childcare provider/daycare' baloney!"
"In nearly every job I've had, I've left or had to change jobs becausechildcare issues affected my attendance and productivity at work," shecontinues. "Either the kids aren't happy or adjusting, the provider isn'twilling to work with me, or she can't accommodate my working hours anylonger, or I just plain can't afford it."
Kass found no help at church or her homeschooling group. Her neighborshaven't worried about daycare in 15 years, and aren't the babysitting type,anyway. Local childcare referral agencies only disappointed her. "One hascats, oops allergies - she's out. Two don't speak English, oh bother. Fourcan't do Saturdays, which I really need to keep my job. The rest want myright arm and left leg - up to $50 more a week than I earn."After a stint as an at-home parent, Kass stepped back into the workforce toput more money in the checkbook. But daycare expenses and aggravationovershadowed the gains she anticipated. "I know childcare providers mustearn a decent living, and so must set their rates to adequately compensatefor their long hours, hard work and expenses," Kass says.She's right; we're not faulting daycares or dedicated people who care forothers' children. But if you're encountering the same headaches as Kass,take a moment to revisit your decision to work outside the home. Are youexploring all your options?
Take Daycare Costs Out Of The Equation
Work during school hours,telecommute from home, or work an opposite shift so your spouse can watchthe kids.
Ask Your Spouse To Work Overtime.
Though it's slowly changing, men arestill usually paid more than women. Why work 10 hours if your husband canmake the same amount in 5? (Plus, you won't have to pay for 10 hours ofdaycare.)
Look At The Budget --Again!.
As Ben Franklin said, a penny saved is a pennyearned. A frugal mindset is an at-home parent's best friend. Cut coupons;shop sales; be creative in using what you've got. For some money-savingideas, read my article, "Dollars and Sense: How I Carved $1000 from OurMonthly Budget", at
www.homebodies.org/dollars.html
Joanne Watson has written a book I'd like to recommend: "Team Work: How toHelp Your Husband Make More Money, So You Can Be a Stay-at-Home Mom." It'sa unique look at helping your spouse in determining if he is underpaid,negotiating his raise, hunting for a higher-paying job or building abusiness of his own. Definitely an idea-sparking book that may provide somealternatives you haven't considered. Request it at your local library orfavorite bookstore.
(Comments? Write
Cheryl@homebodies.org
or visit her website at
www.homebodies.org
Copyright 2002 Homebodies.Org, LLC. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com)
