Daycare Cost for Two Kids and Moving Soon - Torn What to Do.....

I agree with the other Nicole (different spelling than mine! LOL)and her financial-savvy advice.

Times are tough for many and you can only control so much of it. Grocery costs, how often you drive places (besides work) and combine trips out and about to save fuel costs, reducing eating out, trying to make cost effective small changes in your household like effcient laundry day, etc......and daycare costs....these are some things you CAN attempt to control. When you house sells...you can not.

As far as home childcare...there are many great home childcares all around. You just need to put in the time to check them out...ask alot of questions...arrange to go visit them, etc. And figure out a back up plan, etc to deal with the issues that might come up in a home daycare VS a center (like provider sick days or vacation days.....maybe one or more of the providers you didn't choose but interviewed would be willing to do drop in care for you if they had room?)

Many home daycares do full or partial curriculums, are on a food program (food programs require us to offer at least one variety of our choosing of infant formula....this may be a generic brand, etc...but if your child is a formula fed baby and you are willing to try the brand they offer, this could save you alot of money! Some even provide diapers!). There could be a great home program out there just waiting for you!

There are many provider referral networks and I highly recommend a LICENSED home if this is a route you decide to investigate...

Good luck !!!

As a daycare provider, I would suggest you do not move daycares unless you REALLY have to. Your son has enough changes in his life and another huge change with the move coming up, having a safe, secure, stable daycare that both you and he love is very important. 2 is a hard age to start in a new daycare, especially if he has been there since he was an infant. I would not recommend changing unless there is no other choice. Most of us can cut out other expenses to afford something that is really important to us, and good, quality daycare that your son loves should be on the top of the list of things to keep.

On the other hand, since your infant has not started in the daycare yet, you could look for a second, more affordable daycare for the baby. Home daycares are typically more affordable and a more "homey" choice for infants. It may be more work taking kids to 2 different daycares, but it will save you money in the long run. And, if you drop off the baby first, your 2 yo will get used to the home daycare just by bringing the baby there, so you could get a feel as to whether or not it would be a good thing to change him there, as well.

Good luck. You will do what is best for your family.
S.
mom of 3 and home daycare provider

I feel for you. It sounds like there's a lot of uncertainty for you right now. What is certain is the economy and housing sales are in a slump right now. Without knowing everything about your financial situation, I'd say as much as it might be stressful for your children to be moved to a cheaper daycare, it may be necessary.

Remember, gas and fuel costs are constantly in flux (winter is coming soon and forcasts are that heating is going to be through the roof), as are groceries and then there's always the unexpected. Your daycare question is one situation you can control and you can be very proactive about it. From what you've told us, you already have determined daycare is/will be a financial hardship, so I'd strongly recommend the move for both children to the cheaper center (and if it's more financially feasible, even if you're not crazy about it, in home daycare should be considered as it is often even cheaper), but all the while have a game-plan in place for when and if you do finally sell your house.

In the end, this will probably be better for the children. Afterall, if the unthinkable happens, and you're not able to sell for a very longtime, you will have to move them anyway...and may have the added stress of undue financial strain and money loss from continuing to keep them in the more expensive daycare. Being proactive now, you will be better financially for it, which in the end will mean your children will be better off both emotionally and financially. If you're not stressed out from finances, or are less stressed out...your children will be too.

I know several people selling homes, and many of them have had their houses on the market for almost a year or so..with no prospects. Some of them had already purchased another home and are feeling the pain of two mortgages and maintaing two homes. From what they say, it sounds like they all wish they had reevaluated their budgets and spending habits before or at the time they put their houses on the market, with the thought it wouldn't sell. Then they might be ahead or at least managing better. Though you're heading back to work and that might mean more income, I'd take the financially conservative approach, and go forward from here on out with a plan in mind that addresses the possiblility of not selling for a while. Save money, save your family's sanity! :)

Will you be changing jobs when you move? (I'm assuming it is a distance since you'd be switching daycares...) Why not stay at home with them while you figure things out with the move? I know it would require budgeting, but having two little ones in a center is SOOOO expensive and also SOOOO stressful to be working and away from your babies so much, it might be worth it. I'm completely biased, because after finding myself in your situation a year ago, I decided to quit my job. I have not once regretted choosing to stay home, although it certainly is h*** o* the wallet. Sounds like you'd be in a tough financial spot either way, so why not choose what would be the least stressful for your whole family? (Of course, not all moms are happiest at home and I don't mean to judge about that - just thought I'd throw out the option for consideration). Hope you find peace with whatever you decide as a family!

L.

I have to agree with Nicole that finding something that fits more easily in your budget would probably be a good idea. Kids really pick up on our stress levels, so keeping ourselves sane is important! That's great that you recognize how difficult the transition may be for your son. Kids are resiliant though. Just be sure to spend time preparing him for the changes. Your son is probably a friendly kid that will be happy anywhere, right?!!
Best of luck -
T.

This will likely be a very unpopular response, but I would keep him where you know he is happy. It will be very difficult financially for awhile, but at least he will have that one constant while other things are changing around him. I know being financially strapped is stressful, but so is switching daycares, especially hwen other impotant things in your little guy's life are changing. When you move he is going to have to adjust to an entirely new atmosphere and I think he might find comfort and security in the stable environment that is his present daycare. He may have a difficult time adjusting to a new provider and all of this together could be really overwhelming for him.

So, I would bit the bullet, so to speak, and dish out the exrta cash to make sure your son can stay at a place he LOVES (your words). I wouldn't take that away from him. Just my opinion- you will do what's best for your kids and only you know what is best. Good luck!