Well, the short answer is I'm NOT going back to work anytime soon. Not for at least two and a half more years.
Ainsley is only two. In two and a half more years, she'll be starting Pre-K which of course means FREE as long as we go through the Georgia Lottery Funded Pre-K programs. If I were to back to work before then, well we'd be struggling more than we are now.
Daycare for a 2 year old costs anywhere from $150 to $200 a week depending on where we took her. That's about $600 to $800 a month. Y'all, my rent doesn't even cost that much. My best case scenario for going back to work is after I'm done paying for daycare, I'd have enough to maybe pay my cell phone bill each month. Summary: I'd be working just to pay daycare.
Transportation is an issue. Currently we only have one car. Sure we could make it work with carpooling and things like that depending on where I would find a job. We've done it before. It was also stressful when we did it. Josh's schedule has him going into work at 10 and getting off at 6:30. It worked to get me to work, but not to get me home. I'd rather not think about that right now.
If we were to have another car, car insurance goes up. Y'all, we've already established that I'm broke after paying daycare. Having to pay more in car insurance doesn't make sense right now either. My uncle actually offered my cousin's car (that she's not driving) to me. It'd help out a lot right now, but I had to politely decline. I know what Josh and I can and can't afford (right now especially). Extra car expenses is not something we can afford.
I might not even go back full time. Part time jobs would allow me flexibility to get my kids from school without having to utilize after-school care. This might mean working a weekend or two, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Basically, me going back to work is not right for my family right now. Yes, we're struggling. Yes, we're shuffling bills around. Yes, I'm asking friends and family for help with unexpected life events dealing with the kids, but I know from the bottom of my heart this is what's right for our family. I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record saying this, but I got tired of telling this to family. I'm not about to let our family struggle if it means me going back to work immediately.
you know what? I bet Ainsley + Zander are LOVING all of the extra time with mom. <3
ReplyDeleteYou better believe your readers support you!!! You, better than anyone, knows what is best for your family. Just enjoy it and go with the flow knowing your children are loving it!!! xo
ReplyDeletelivingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com
I am so proud of you for owning your decision. You have to do what's right for your family. You rock!
ReplyDeletethanks so much! that really means a lot! :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! This was just one of those things that had been in the back of my mind so I just had to let it out, you know? Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteYES! I'm loving it too. It's gotten a lot easier since day one. I don't feel as lost not working full time, if that makes sense?
ReplyDeleteGood for you. Don't let anyone give you a hard time about this, life is different for everyone. I can barely imagine working and being a mom. You definitely have my support!
ReplyDeleteYou know your family's needs and path better than anybody else. I wish people would realize what THEY think may be the right choice, may not actually be what works best for your family. Just know you are owning the decision for all the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteI really apprecite having the support! And you're so right! Every family is SO different! I get some people need to work TWO jobs to make it. That's just not us. We NEED family time too. :)
ReplyDeletemy husband and I are going to start a family soon so I'm sort of in the same boat . . . do i start a job now just to quit when the baby is here or do I start a job now that I might love but once the baby is here the money will just go to daycare!?! We're a one car family too and some people don't understand the changes and pressure that gives a family. I find it encouraging that you're doing what's right for you and your family and not backing down!
ReplyDeleteI wish daycare in Atlanta was $600-800/month. That is another reason I am scared to have a kid. It's so expensive. But I don't blame you for wanting to stay home. Stay there and enjoy it. Watch her grow up. Don't feel like you have to give us a reason why you are staying home. It's the best thing for your family and that is all that matters!
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend! Yes I know I didn't really need to explain anything to y'all. I just had to get this off of my chest. lol. :) I swear everything ITP is way more. Gas, childcare, everything. I love living where we are just for the affordability. Only thing that stinks is having to travel to see people. Thanks for the support though. I'm loving seeing the kids' personalities bloom and grow.
ReplyDeleteThere's SO MUCH to consider. I've worked full time since I was 18. (So almost 10 years now). The longest I'd been out of work was 6 weeks of maternity leave with both kids, so this has been a big adjustment for me. BUT not only am I not shelling out waaaayyy too much for childcare, I'm getting to see my kids learn and grow. So there are pros and cons. Thanks soo much for the support! xoxo
ReplyDeleteAMEN girlie! Thanks for the support. i knew I could count on my readers and blogging friends to have my back. hahaha. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! You ( and your husband) alone know what works for you and yours! Stay strong girlie!
ReplyDeleteNo one knows whats best for your family but you!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you're true to yourself and your family. That's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteof course we support you- whatever is BEST for your family!! praying for you and hope everything works out the way you hope ♥
ReplyDeletei'm sorry to hear you're being made to feel like you have to keep explaining your reasoning over and over to family and friends. that would be exhausting. regardless of all that though, it sounds like you are right where you want to be and doing what is best for all of you so that's what's most important!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know how people do it.. the daycare thing. Like you said it is like working to pay for the care. I do not have kids yet but I worry about this all the time. Its insane! Good for you for staying home with your babies!
ReplyDeleteJust hearing people talk about how expensive day care is enough to terrify me. Seriously how in the world are people supposed to do it? I think you're making the right decision for your family!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad for you that you have been put in a place where you feel you have to DEFEND your decision. You know what's best for your family. And the cost of daycare terrifies me. We may never have children.
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet lady. Your choice is your choice. This choice is also becoming my choice. It's a scary choice...whatever you choose! You should not have to defend your choices like this...family comes first, always. You are incredible!! <3 xoxo
ReplyDeleteWorking to only pay for childcare is such a problem. We talked about it in depth in my prenatal course (the first time, with Bug's pregnancy) and how we'd feel, what we'd want to do, how we'd make that decision. Everyone had a different response - I thought it was interesting. Everyone has to make their own decision and it's not an easy one (i wish it were easier - or better yet, not an issue at all!), but you're doing brilliantly mama and no matter what your choice was, I'd have your back!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the daycare cost. Back in January I quit my job because I couldn't afford daycare cost at all. Luckily my boyfriend has been so supportive of me & my boys (which aren't his btw). I have thought about looking for part time work that would work around his schedule so he could stay home with them when I do work. But its hard. Right now Rylan is in Kindergarten and Landon will be in 4-K this fall.
ReplyDeleteOnly you and Josh truly know what's best for YOUR family, don't you forget that. And even in the times you know you're making the right decision, doesn't mean things will be easy... and just because things aren't easy doesn't mean you've made the WRONG decision. Stay strong and "just keep swimming... just keep swimming" xo
ReplyDeleteI just hate that this is the type of decision making that has to go into having a family. Unfortunately your situation is similar to many people out there. However, only you and your spouse know what's best for your family...no reason you need to defend it to anyone.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really prudent decision. I believe that bonding with your kid in her early years is essential. Going to work just to pay for daycare is just crazy. I'm no mom yet but I'd rather work at home, part time, and still be a full time mom to my kid. Stay awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteMiss Eleigh Neux
This is why I love you. You KNOW the craziness of why this post was written & you still support me. Also, I don't blame you one bit for not having kids. They're expensive. I don't regret for one minute having mine, but I wish we had planned better financially before. BUT! such is life! you live and learn!!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for the kind words. I'm really loving these special days with my kids. soon summer will be here and I'll have them both full time. <3
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy. And quite honestly it wasn't something that we had considered prior to having kids. for Zander's first two years we had my bro in law watch him so we were able to save a little. I appreciate your kind words!
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU!!! would you believe this was mostly directed to my Grandma on my dad's side of the family. She's forever pushing me to go back to work. I HAD to finally tell her, "look, I'm not about to put us in debt further". YES things are tight right now, but we're still adjusting. but you know this. XOXO Thanks for the support and for making me smile with Dory!
ReplyDeleteThat's AMAZING of him. You're truly blessed!! I'm glad you've been able to stay with the boys. Sounds like they're close to Zander's age. He'll be in kindergarten in the fall.
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating!! I had never heard of those types of classes! I would have loved to hear everyone's input! Thanks soo much for the continued support! xoxo! I'm soo glad to have you in my life!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOUUU!!! You know I'm still praying for you too mama and whatever you end up doing I will support you 100%. Us worry-moms have to stick together right?? lol. YOU are just as incredible!!
ReplyDeleteNO CLUE. I don't know how we were doing it before anyway. thanks for the support!
ReplyDeletethanks soo much!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSAME to you!! xoxo Thanks for the support friend!
ReplyDeletexoxo thanks so much dear
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that a lot!! Thanks for the prayers and the support
ReplyDeleteit IS exhausting. but you know, I kind of feel like that now that it's out there in the world I feel better. My blog is easy to find and I can simply refer people to this post. haha. Thanks so much for the support.
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