Getting Creative for the Sake of Childcare
October 8, 2008 by Cherie Burbach
Filed under Parenting
Looks like I’m not the only one with childcare on my mind. A recent news article says, “Next to rent or mortgage payments, child care ranks as the second-highest expense in a household budget.” The article goes on to offer suggestions on how to reduce the costs of childcare.
Childcare is one reason I’m looking for ways to work at home, and we don’t even have kids yet! I know I’m not alone. Everyone parent I know is constantly looking for ways to keep their childcare costs in check. One of my friends cut her schedule, another telecommuntes one day a week, and another is lucky enough to have her mom watch the kids. Another couple I know has a lovely lady who watches their children, and even though their house is too small they are afraid to move until after their kids are older. They don’t want to lose the great babysitter they have (and she’s cheaper than traditional childcare program besides.)
What are some of the ways you’ve changed your life in order to make adjustments for childcare? Have you changed jobs? Stayed at home? Tried to telecommute?
Image from Morguefile.
I took a job closer to home to make after-school care work. Closer to home meant a lot less money, but thankfully, after school is MUCH cheaper than daycare. Other child still attends daycare at about the cheapest rate available–and still certified and safe!:) Wish we could get her closer to home, but not financially feasible. We reduced camp this summer by taking vacation time off. Not sure what will happen next summer…
I stay at home and I’m trying to balance self-employment while raising my little one!
gigem: I hear you. It’s such a struggle. You make a good point about daycare, too. It’s hard to find a reasonable one that’s also cheap.
Susan: Whew ! You’ve got your hands full!