How many kids in daycare?

[supermommy]

How many kids have you put in daycare before? I am considering starting my career but we would have to do daycare. DS1 is 3 1/2 and will not be full-time preschool until he is 5 so he has one more year after this one. Ds2 is 1 and well we kind of wanted to start trying for another baby this summer. That would mean 3 kids in daycare?! Is this okay?! I imagine it would be very expensive....how do people have babies and a life? This is all so new to me. Also how will I get over the guilt of not being with my kids 24/7 anymore?

[nevaehsmom327]

I know a lot of daycares will give you a discount if you have 2+ children there. We typically did in-homes.

[ReneeW]

I think it depends on what type of daycare you're looking at. Our oldest DD was in a daycare center from about 10 months to 15 months (that's when I began to work part time -- once I paid for the child care I was making very little money). When you have three kids, it might be as cost effective to hire a nanny. Or if you can find a great in-home child care, that might be more affordable depending on the rates--and the hours you need. I found that the in-home day cares started early and ended early (you could drop them off earlier but had to pick up kids by 4:30 or 5) and both my DH and I work 'til 6 so we just couldn't get that option to work.

[bumblebee23]

I had both my boys in an in home daycare. It was roughly $250 when they weren't in school but after that the price for my oldest droped down and I think I was paying about $175. Both of them LOVED being in daycare. They liked having other friends to play with besides eachother. I felt guilty at first but I was so depressed just sitting at home that I wasn't doing them any good anyway. It was actually benefical for all of us.

[cissy]

Don't feel guilty about putting your kids in daycare, I had one mom tell me that she is a better mom because she goes to work and gets to spend the evenings and weekends with her kids compaired to being at home with them all day. On that note they also have 4 kids and sometimes I would have all 4 kids in my daycare. Some places have different prices for ages and some do discounts, that might help you out.

I have also heard others say that even though they do not make really anything after putting their kids in daycare they still think it is good because they get to socialize with other adults while their kids get to socialize with other kids.

[dara1012]

I am one of those mom's that believes that I am a better mom as a working mom than I would be a stay at home mom. It is not a negative to stay at home moms because there are many of you who are amazing, it's just not a good fit for me, my preferences, my style, my career ambitions, etc. I am very focused on DS when we are home and squeeze as much as I can out of time with him. That doesn't mean I don't feel guilty, it just means when I take a step back and look at the big picture, this is what is right for our family.

I have a friend with twins and when they were infants she basically worked to pay their daycare, family health insurance and a $300 car payment. It was worth it for her for that. You just have to decide your price break for you and your family.

I have done our budget and realize that we could afford 2 children in daycare, 3 would be a significant stretch. However, DS is almost 4 and I am not pregnant so we will not have more than one kid in full time daycare except maybe summers if we do have a 2nd.

[sharon]

I have known families who have had 3 kids in daycare. Yes, I'm sure it's expensive. One family I know opted for a nanny, finding that less expensive and easier with their 3 kids. So that might be worth looking in to. A nanny could also transport your older one to and from preschool, so that can be helpful.

Different families make different choices. You will have decide what will work best for your family - and what that is will likely change over time. These are big choices, but they are your choices and what is right for someone else may not be right for you.

[sarahisis]

when I was living in NY I was a nanny for two very high profile doctors... They had two kids, and I transported one to school every day, and the other to preschool twice a week and dance once a week. They told me that they liked having the consistancy of the same person being with their kids every day... someone the family can develop a relationship with.
I would go with nanny for any more than 2 kids...

[angel22]

None. DH and I prefer that I stay home with the kids until they are school age. HOWEVER, once we move back to Duluth I may end up needing to work and if I can't get anything worthwhile opposite DH's schedule then I'll have to deal with the daycare issue, too. If I had three kids to put into a daycare situation I would most likely look at the nanny option. I know some moms that work but their entire check goes to daycare- but mom needs the job just so the family can have health and dental insurance. Pretty messed up situation, but you have to do what you have to do!

[supermommy]

I have been looking at nanny's and in home daycare's. We are not making enough money with just DH working and we figured if I get the job I just interviewed for we would still have maybe an $500-$600 after paying for daycare so that is probably worth it alone. I am soo scared to leave my boys though no matter who it is with. it makes me feel sick and I don't know how to get past it. If I get a job offer I feel like I might turn it down just by instinct

[sarahisis]

I think in that case, you really just have to do what you feel is right. If you are going to feel uneasy and anxious at work all day, then maybe you aren't ready for leaving them with someone else!

[supermommy]

You ladies are right :-) It would be good for everyone involved and the job would be something I enjoy, it is working on a mac designing ads and such! Being scared probably means its a good thing to do ;-)

[danikasmom]

When looking for cc, talk to people and get referrals. This will make it easier on you, knowing that someone loves where they send their kids. A nanny wouldn't be bad either, but it can be tricky to find one you like. My friend is on on her 5 nanny in a year, but she didn't go through anyone just ads on craigslist. Start looking now and find one you love!!

[sharon]

Jan 25, 2012 12:10:16 GMT -6 angel22 said:

None. DH and I prefer that I stay home with the kids until they are school age. HOWEVER, once we move back to Duluth I may end up needing to work and if I can't get anything worthwhile opposite DH's schedule then I'll have to deal with the daycare issue, too. If I had three kids to put into a daycare situation I would most likely look at the nanny option. I know some moms that work but their entire check goes to daycare- but mom needs the job just so the family can have health and dental insurance. Pretty messed up situation, but you have to do what you have to do!

This was us. I made just enough for us to pay for infant care, but working somewhere where I could get health insurance was my only way to have health insurance. I couldn't qualify for state insurance and we are prohibited by law from having family coverage through my wife's job. It wasn't my first choice, but under the circumstances I'm glad I worked.

[gwensmama9206]

None. I have never and will never put my kids in daycare. I grew up always in daycare and hated it and always said I would never put my kids in it. When I was working I would just have family or friends watch DD. Although that was a pain sometimes.