OK ladies, I will say I am lucky my grandparents keep my kids while we work so no daycare bill. Well they are gone for the rest of the month down south to visit family so I have to take Jade to the sitter Wed-Friday. Rich took vacation days every Tuesday and doesn't work on Mondays.

I cannot believe what it is going to cost me for a sitter for 10 days. Thank god the sitter has been keeping my kids for me since Timmy was 3 months old. My kids love her and so do I she is the only non-family person to ever keep my kids. She loves my kids cause they are always so good for her and she doesn't let me pay her allot because she loves my kids so much but I don't want to rip her off either. She is 19.

Just wanted to tell you parents with daycare expenses I praise you cause there is no way we could do it on a regular basis and still have money to survive.

By Tayjar on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 10:28 am:

A lady I work with pays $17,000 a year in daycare. She can't stay home because she is the major breadwinner. She works here full-time and then as a nurse part-time at the hospital. Plus, until this year, they were paying nearly $15,000 a year in child support on 2 of her DHs kids from previous marriages. He was laid off and couldn't find steady work for 2 years so that didn't help matters. He would find a job and then a merger would happen and he would be let go again. He just recently found a full-time job but the salary is half what he used to make.

By Tonya on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 10:31 am:

Just what she was paying in daycare and child support is more than I make in a year.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 10:54 am:

$17,000 in daycare? That's 326/week. How many kids? Working full-time and a part-time job? Did she ever see her kids? Wow, I can't imagine being that busy!

By Mommmie on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 11:00 am:

I think at the peak, I paid $6700/year for daycare for my son (which was well below market rate because it was a church based daycare and the director refused to raise prices). Right when my son left (off to kindergarten) they increased the cost to $9500/year (when they fired the director!). It's a lot, so true. You have to find a job that pays well enough to cover it and still take some home. Ironically enough, though, a good portion of the mothers that had kids at the daycare full time didn't even work. The dads must have been making some serious cash money!

Also scary, my son's private school costs $17,000/year and there are families with THREE kids attending (and there's no sib discount). Can you imagine $51,000 in tuition every year?? Holy cow.

By Pamt on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 11:34 am:

Mommmie, my kids private school isn't nearly that much, but it's pretty pricey. Fortunately, my kids get to attend as part of my DH's salary package--that's a bonus. Anyway, since LSU is here in town a large percentage of graduates just go there. Parents are always relieved when the kids start college because it is cheaper to send a kid to a state university than to pay for private school. Crazy, isn't it?

And Tonya, I don't understand how they do it either!

By Tayjar on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 11:34 am:

She has 2 kids - a toddler and a 1st grader. She actually has a pretty good schedule for a working mom. She comes in at 7:30 and leaves at 4:30. She works 4 days a week here and one day a week at the hospital. When she works at the hospital on the weekends, she is off early in the morning before the kids are up. She's also a lead room mother at school, on the PTA, and is an assistant on her oldest child's sports teams.

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 11:34 am:

Child care is expensive. And even at that, childcare providers are underpaid. But it's a double edged sword. Any of us who has a need for a childcare provider obviously wants to pay as little as possible, but we want the best qualified person as possible to care for our kids. BUT - no one wants to pay what these people are worth.

And don't get me wrong, I had no choice but to put my kids in daycare and before and aftercare when they were young. And I too, had issues with the cost. But these same people that are working in childcare have families to support too, so they are trying to make a decent living too.

Granted, my kids are young adults now, but when I was paying for full time child care, which was between 11 and 20 years ago, I was paying around $5000 - $6000 per year for 2 kids. And apparently that was a bargain. But even at that, it was tough financially on me.

If you have a family member who cares for your kids with no financial compensation, while you are working, you are extremely fortunate. Even finding a sitter on an as-needed basis for a low rate is a blessing.

And as much as all of us hate to spend the money on childcare, remember that these are the very people who literally have your child's life in their hands, and we have to expect them to be compensated for it.

By Lauram on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 11:59 am:

It IS very expensive. That's why we are considering getting an aupair again. It actually will be cheaper!

By Tklinreston on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 12:33 pm:

I work full time. My older ds, who is in kindergarten, is in daycare after school mon - friday and my younger one will be starting soon only 3 days/a week because he's three and is craving more than what my parents can give him at home, especially since their English is limited. He's reading already and just yearning to learn more.. My parents pick up my older son early everyday and will do the same for the younger one but of course, we'll still pay for the full day. How much will we pay for all this? A whopping $27,000.00/year, which includes $500 cash I give my parents a month for helping out. I also pay for all of their groceries, gas, medical bills & social outings, which isn't included. I really can't imagine having more than 2 kids. It will get a little lighter once ds is in 1st grade next year. I just want to add I agree with Karen. When you break it down to $ per hour, most providers are underpaid. Obviously the MOST important thing is finding the BEST provider for your child and if you can achieve that, one should truly feel blessed.

By Cat on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 12:35 pm:

Child care is expensive. I get calls sometimes from people that quite honestly, can not afford me (usually because it's for more than one child). I'm below average for my area, too! There is an assistance program here in Colorado (CCAP), but like one parent I talked to she makes too much for assistance but can't afford care without it. (there's also a shortage of providers willing to accept the assistance because it doesn't pay near what the going rate is and we have to accept what CCAP pays and can not charge the parents the difference) I will tell you money is not the main reason I am a family child care provider (I am NOT a babysitter--I do not sit on babies {occasionally I will sit on children, though! lol}). I do this first and foremost so I can be home for/with my kids. Supplementing my family income and loving these kids I watch are reasons two and three, but I really can't put them in order (it sometimes changes with the day! lol). Having said all that, if I worked outside the home and needed to pay for child care for my two boys on what I make as a child care provider, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 02:36 pm:

I can't remember what I paid for full-time daycare, when my kids were little. When we moved here, I ended up being able to stay home for seven years, so the daycare was a LONG time ago. When I lived in central WI, I worked in a hospital with an excellent on-site daycare. They took good care of my kids and it wasn't too bad a price. Maybe it was 40-something a week, with just Sarah and went up to 70-something a week with Emily, too. Of course, this was in the early 90's, though, too.

By Tarable on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 02:49 pm:

I agree that child care workers are WAY underpaid but I can sympathize with anyone who has to have thier kids in daycare full time. I was a singel mother from the time my oldest was 3.5 until she was 10.5 and I have 2 DDs. Before they started school I was paying about 325 a week (or something like that) and I was not making enough to pay for that and all of my other bills (rent, electricity, food and gas) yet I made too much money to get assistance in TX. This was the hardest time in my life but I can honestly say that I always felt like the people that watched my girls were greatly underpaid. My dds are still in afterschool care and summer care through our public school system (I really like the teachers that provide the care) and that they are with all their friends until I can pick them up. But I know that just like the teachers there should be some way that the people that care for our kids should make more money.. They should make more than any other profession IMO they are helping build our future generations.
To all of you out there that provide child care... Thank you for all the love and affection you show our kids from those of us who have to work to support our families.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 08:14 pm:

I already knew daycare was outrageous, but I'm still sitting here beside myself for private school that is $17K/year???????? For elementary?? YIKES!! That's how much college is!

By Conni on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 07:38 am:

I am surprised you dont feel like you have to pay your grandparents for their hard work? If I go away on a trip and leave my kids with grandparents I always leave a wad of cash and groceries... Sometimes I leave them my vehicle so they dont have to put miles on thiers running my children around. ;)

I would never leave my kids with their grandparents on a daily basis and not pay. I would feel way too guilty.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 08:09 am:

Deanna, that's how much private school costs in my area.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 08:16 am:

Wow. Still sitting beside myself!

As far as grandparents, I leave dd with a grandparent (in my home) one day a week and I wouldn't even think of paying them.

By Lauram on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 08:22 am:

I have thought often about how paying for daycare is like paying for college- without saving!

By Tonya on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 08:25 am:

I don't feel guilty for not paying them because I do a ton of things for them on a weekly basis. I take grandma shopping cause she cannot drive, I do house and yard work, I buy them groceries and supply all diapers and wipes. I buy my grandma cloths and things when I see them at the store that I know she will like because she is too frugal to buy them for herself.

And I don't pay them because if I did they would be offended as they have told me such. They keep my kids because they want to definately not because they need the money. They have more than enough money so they don't need mine and I do.

They like being active with my kids it keeps them going it gives my grandad something to get up for every morning instead of sitting in the chair all day sleeping. And it keep them busy enough that they don't bother each other since grandad retired they get on each others nerves sometimes. The kids curb that.

By Colette on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 08:40 am:

Thankfully, I am now able to be a sahm. When I did have to work, dh's parent's watched our first child. I could not have found better care for her. They also would not accept money and would be insulted at the offer. Things do come full circle though, and now we take care of them. I think it's going to create great memories for your children of their grandparents.

By Kiki on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 02:22 pm:

I have been pricing it out around here and for my two little ones the range goes from $500-700 a week fulltime. At least, it's a tax write-off

By Conni on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 02:59 pm:

Sorry Tonya I typed my post in a hurry this morning and had I read it back to myself, I would have certainly re-worded!!! I didnt mean to upset you.

I am headed out the door again! But wanted you to know I was not trying to accuse you of ripping your Grandparents off. lol I am an anal wierdo about leaving my kids with people and I do leave money with family if they have my kids. They always refuse the money. But I leave it anyway. For example, I left money with Mom (she didnt realize it)in April when I went to England and she tried to give it back. I refused to take it back. When I opened my bday card from her last weekend the same amt of money was in card. LOL So, I plan to WIN and spend the money on her for Mother's Day. I come from a stubborn family.

Everyone is diff! Oh and I dont pay for daycare, but I do pay for preschool.

Gotta run back to the paint store. Fun, fun!!!

By Pwmamma on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 02:02 am:

I currently work full time but am blessed enough to be able to choose to be a SAHM soon. We got rid of the second car - with what we would have paid for daycare + second car bills, I would have been working for only $300 a month!

It's a hard situation and I think as long as we have our families and they have full tummmies then we're luckier than most