Need to Work but Can't Aford Daycare

Updated on May 02, 2006
G.T. asks from Garland, TX
8 answers

This time last year my wife & I tried to put 4 kids in daycare at the same time.
* 2 infants @ $150/wk = $1200/mo
* 2 preschooler @ $100/wk = $800/mo
----------------------------------
* $2000/mo = 2 House payments
We almost lost our house because of it.
We are a 2 paycheck family. Last year's daycare bill effectively removed my check. I now watch my twins at home but that still leaves us 1 income short in our household budget.

We are looking for good daycare at a price we can afford and still work. We need to able to pay daycare and our bills at the same time.

Any suggestions?

2 moms found this helpful

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Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hi,

Have you tried to ask assistant from TX Workforce childcare services? They should be able to help you out. Here is their number: 1-800-234-9306.

Good Luck!

More Answers

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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

My husband and i are the same a 2 paycheck family. we moved from Rowlett to Mckinney and found out day care for our boys doubled so we check out getting a nanny instead and she have been a wonderful asset to our family.
i looked at gonannies.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.P.

answers from Dallas on

How old are your twins?
I might be able to help you out. I have an in-home-daycare with lots of activities. I open mon-fri 7:30am to 5:30pm.
I'm at McCreary and FM544 in Wylie. Please e-mail if you're interested.
Have a great day.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried home child care? I am a registered home provider in garland. I charge 125 per week for infants and 90 per week for preschoolers. Our ratio is much lower. I do have openings if you are interested please contact me at
###-###-#### home
###-###-####

D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi G.!
It sounds like, because you have so many little ones that are not in school yet, daycare/childcare is not feasible. It might be best to re-work the family budget to survive on one income for the time-being; sacrifices for this small season of life when your little ones are too young for school. I know it's hard to give up some things you've worked so hard for now, but it sounds like you're a Christian, and I am, too. I know that God has put me in difficult situations so I can learn that I don't need those extra things -- I just need to learn to depend on Him to supply my every need.

We were concerned when we first decided to go to one income but we prayed about it, tested it out (socked my paychecks away to a savings accnt.) and found it to be not that difficult if you're really willing to give up some things that we seem to think are necessities in life. I'm not saying that you haven't already done this or that you're living an extravagant lifestyle. I just know from other couples I've talked to about this....and those that have experienced layoffs -- sometimes you need to re-evaluate your expenses. I still need to do this about every other month to make sure I'm being a good steward of our money.
Some suggestions that we did when we first went to one income: cellphones went bye-bye (or you could just cut back on mins. to a smaller plan-makes a big difference); cable/sattelite gone - could watch TV just fine with rabbit ears and guess what - we talked more and read more during this time! go figure! ha!; traded in cars w/huge car pymts to lease cheaper cars w/smaller pymts. or cut back to just one car for the family - I know 2 families that do this - it can be done for the mean time; refinance house or move to apt. to cut back on living expenses; and cut back/stop services some people get (hair/nail salon, cleaning/yard work, pool man, dry cleaning, gym memberships); DSL/High speed Internet cut down to dial-up services. ....all these savings can add up to big savings!

And we also did this -- which is humbling, but necessary if husband and wife want to work as a team -- we saved all receipts we spent during the day and showed them to each other so we were accountable to one another and we were less likely to spend on unnessary items. This is a time to be extremely frugal ...I've been there and I'm still there for most things. And it's hard to do this living in a North Dallas community, but it's worth it for me to stay home with my son -- on so many reasons. I really feel God's leading me to this.

Just make that faith step and He will reward you for your obedience, if you feel He's leading you to stay home. It looks like doors are being shut on working outside the home. But only God can show you what his plan is for you and your family. I hope this helped ...just to give you another perspective.
I'm afraid childcare is expensive - that's the reality of it, and if you go anywhere less expensive -- the quality of care is evident. I've been told by many working moms that you really get what you pay for in childcare.
God bless! I'm praying for your situation!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Dallas on

G.:

We are thousands of parents in the same situation; this is something than definitely doesn't work in our system, among of education costs, medical costs, etc.

What I do is, instead of having my little one in a regular daycare, I have him in a MDO (mothers day out), the charge $ 15.00 daily (and less for several kids of the same family). Some work diferent days of the weeks, so probably you will need three diferent places to them to attend.

A friend of mine have a hispanic, nice lady as a babysitter for her five children and she charges $ 300.00 weekly.

Another idea is looking, and asking God's direction, to find a licencied home day care (they charge a little less).

Well, be patient, God will give you an answer, kids grow fast and soon some of them will attend regular schools soon.

If you receive any good advice, please share it with me.

Blessings,

E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.V.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Hi G.,

I can't imagine forking over that kind of money for someone else to watch my kids. I would love to share with you and your wife an opportunity that would allow you to work from home. I have found it to be a true blessing that is going to provide time and financial freedom that used to be just a dream, and I mean that with all sincerity. I really hope you can find a way out of your tough situation. Call me or email me if you'd like to know more. If I don't hear from you, best wish in your search. Blessings, N. ###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Dallas on

I am a SAHM for the same day care reasons you mentioned. I don't know that your wife will be able to find a job that covers day care AND still has $ left over.
I am happy to e-mail y'all and give you some of the tips I have found that help us save money (like that bakery oulet on Centerville, the GREAT thrift stores for clothes.....)
Let me know!
D.
____@____.com

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