Daycare alternatives

[kris Schaumburg]

how in the heck do you consider it a racket?

31 days a month/7 days a week = 4.43 weeks in avg * 5 days = 22 days of what 9 hours? 22*9= 198 hours

$600/198= $3.03 an hr

Thats assuming a 1:1 ratio of teacher to child. More like a 6-8:1 sometimes more than that.

I didn't assume anything. That is what he pays them to take care of his kid. I am familiar with the legally mandated ratios of providers to children.

[cwink]

Stepping up on my soapbox......why do people choose to start a family and allow someone else to rear them in their early formative years is beyond me. It is a 'racket' because men and women today choose to have a lifestyle over a family unit. I have heard all of the excuses that 'children in daycare are more social than those at home'. etc......total bunk. What ever excuse one needs to acquiece (sp?) their conscience. Children were reared at home for decades and we had one of the greatest countries in the world, children are now reared in 'daycares' and we have kids shooting each other and teachers in school......can't tell me their isn't a correlation......The increase in daycare usage, the increase in violence.......It starts with Fathers/Husbands.....do without the toys, big house and duck clubs for a few years and enjoy the time with your children at home with your wife bringing them up.

It just blows my mind to see someone want a daycare to rear their child and then on top of that, try to find the cheapest one to care for their child. Ever wander why children put their parents in a nursing home now so frequently? Payback! Keep this post in mind as when you get 80 ish, don't get mad when your children shop around for the cheapest nursing home to put YOU in. Cuz they want a new truck.......

Ok, stepping down off soapbox.....rant over.

Carry on.

You have some good points but remember not everyone chooses the situation they are in. One thing we have learned from all the losses and disappointments and now the adoption we have gone through is that it is not as clear cut as work or don't work in every case. Some people have to work to get by.. When my wife and I got married we talked about it and decided that she would become a teacher so that she could both work, have time with the kids and also be there for their education..

[skywalker]

Sorry Cwink, I respectfully disagree, some people have to 'work to get by' in order to not change their lifestyle they desire when children come along. Buy a smaller house, have only one vehicle, all changes that could be made. It is a sign of the times.....

Early 1900's.......small houses, large families, little money, 90% together
Early 2000's........large house, small families, plenty of money, over half split

Is this really the American dream?

[edub20]

Sorry Cwink, I respectfully disagree, some people have to 'work to get by' in order to not change their lifestyle they desire when children come along. Buy a smaller house, have only one vehicle, all changes that could be made. It is a sign of the times.....

Early 1900's.......small houses, large families, little money, 90% together
Early 2000's........large house, small families, plenty of money, over half split

Is this really the American dream?

One thing to note... College wasn't 50g's back then either.

[fireplug]

Sorry Cwink, I respectfully disagree, some people have to 'work to get by' in order to not change their lifestyle they desire when children come along. Buy a smaller house, have only one vehicle, all changes that could be made. It is a sign of the times.....

Early 1900's.......small houses, large families, little money, 90% together
Early 2000's........large house, small families, plenty of money, over half split

Is this really the American dream?

What IF you know the people that run your daycare and truly respect them and trust them with your children? Ever thought some may be in this situation?

I understand your point, but daycares serve a purpose the same as schools do. Not saying I'm for government daycare, but that is basically what
the school system is. They keep our kids and teach them at the same time. No different than some daycares. Daycares are no different than sending
your kids to private school. And last time I checked not everyone is qualified to be a homeschool teacher so that's not for everyone. Daycares are more
expensive in larger cities because they can be. No other reason. They most likely are regulated heavily and have a large liability insurace payment and
figure they can charge pretty much what they want as long as they have a good rating. I was lucky enough to have my mom keep my boy, but that too
has its own side effects. He is spoiled rotten and didn't get the social skills he would have being in "private school" aka daycare. I have a little girl on the
way and we have decided to go the daycare route with this one instead of fighting the spoiled rotten battle. Daycare is only about $400 a month where I live. I personally consider daycare (aka private school) an investment that will pay off just fine with mine. I don't consider it a lifestyle choice. I consider it
preparing my children for life.

[bulldog ducker]

Sorry Cwink, I respectfully disagree, some people have to 'work to get by' in order to not change their lifestyle they desire when children come along. Buy a smaller house, have only one vehicle, all changes that could be made. It is a sign of the times.....

Early 1900's.......small houses, large families, little money, 90% together
Early 2000's........large house, small families, plenty of money, over half split

Is this really the American dream?

Kids are expensive, daycare or not. My mom worked 8-5 and dad 7-4 every day growing up. I had "momma Bowlin" keep me and my brothers until we were old enough to start kindergarten. In my opinion daycare/sitter is not the down fall of the American family. I have seen (not in my family) financial issues be a bigger problem. Having both parents working can remedy that situation.

Having said all that my wife stays at home and we made a decision to cut some things in order to do that. I am blessed enough to be able to make that work and still be comfortable.

Out oldest still attends daycare from 9-3. It is 125 a week. He has done very well with daycare and I think his social skills have excelled because of it. Would not change a thing with him. The youngest will just be doing some mothers morning out stuff.

[cwink]

Sorry Cwink, I respectfully disagree, some people have to 'work to get by' in order to not change their lifestyle they desire when children come along. Buy a smaller house, have only one vehicle, all changes that could be made. It is a sign of the times.....

Early 1900's.......small houses, large families, little money, 90% together
Early 2000's........large house, small families, plenty of money, over half split

Is this really the American dream?

I know, but it is not always that easy.. We have been trying to downsize since we adopted, but it's not easy to sell a house these days and just because you want to do something doesn't mean your spouse does.. I would love to simplify our life sell our house (it's up for sale now if you want to come buy it) move out to our land in Tx in a doublewide and let the wife stay home.. She stated NO WAY!!!

We have always used private sitters and our current sitter keeps several children from our Church/neighborhood and they are like Brothers and Sisters.. They all grow up together and play after school. I work from home and can keep them sometimes and when my wife is off she keeps them home.. So it is a really great set up.. My point is just because the wife works doesn't mean they are bad parents or are not taking care of thier kids.. My oldest rides to school with my wife and is there all day with her or I come pick him up after school. So he is no longer at a sitter ever. Sometimes there are happy mediums..

[mudsucker]

I am fortunate in the fact that I make a good enough salary to have had my wife stay home with our kids for over 20 years now. My oldest is 20 and our adopted daughter from China is 12. We did send the 12y/o to Crossgates Med. k/3 and k/4 program(1/2 day) to "socialize" her. Kris, you assumed 7 days a week in your post. Why? Most day care is 5 days a week. It does put 2 parent working families at a dissadvantage to pay out a small home mortagage worth of money a month. Look at what the lower payed spouse makes and it may be adventagious to give up that job as you have 2nd. car expense(gas. maint.), clothing for job, lunch and incidentals, and it may put you in a higher tax bracket so that may eat up pay. I am so blessed to have had my wife raise my kids and not some disinterested 20y/o at a day care. How do I know? My 20y/o went to work at a daycare this past summer break only to quit(2 dys latter) when she saw how badly they treated those kids. She saw trouble comming and wanted no part of a lawsuit brought by a pissed off parent!

[jacksbuddy]

I said it before, and I'll say it again, I am glad my In-Laws are here. Mainly because I want our child to know both cultures and to appreciate them. What we are going to do when they return to China? I have NO idea. Probably cry a lot.

[BAY KINGFISHER]

I pay a little over 13 grand a year for daycare for my twins, at least its tax deductible. We are happy with the place and they take great care of our twins. Daycare is expensive, find a good one and get over it!!

[stang67]

From reading this thread I have deduced that stay at home moms don't do a good job of teaching humility and open mindedness.

[mudsucker]

From reading this thread I have deduced that stay at home moms don't do a good job of teaching humility and open mindedness.

....but a better job of knowing right from wrong so little Johnny won't shoot up the 8th grade!

[stang67]

That's respectful and intelligent.

[skywalker]

Quite the contrary.....I am humbled each time I think about my mother choosing to forego her career to stay at home and bring up 3 kids.......'open mindedness' the favorite term of a liberal politician. If being open minded means I can agree with someone else rearing my child, then I will gladly stay close minded thanks.

As I said before gentlemen, use whatever excuse or justification you need to pawn your children off to someone in their early formative years........just remember don't feel bad when they stick you in a nursing home cause you are cramping their lifestyle........only following your lead.

[stang67]

True dat. We are having kids for the tax breaks. I'll parlay the savings into some great hunting trips and figure out the twilight of life part later. Life's about sacrifices, right?

We are 8-mos pregnant. About 6 months ago I realized that the worst thing about parenthood will be having to deal with certain other parents.