Infant Day Care Is Expensive in Big Cities
If you live in a big city like New York or Chicago and happen to work downtown, you probably know that quality day care for your infant is going to cost you – a lot. From around $400 a week, infant day care centers in cities in metropolitan cities can make a major dent in your paycheck and this is where you have to decide if one parent stays home with the baby.
Career
If you are at such a point in your career where you wouldn’t want to lose your hard work or place in line as you climb to the top, then perhaps you can financially justify infant day care expenses. However, if you’re at a dead end kind of job, then you may have to seriously consider quitting. The break from the mundane routine might actually give you the opportunity to sit back and look for a better job. You can polish your skills and update your resume while you stay home with the baby. Perhaps taking a new computer course or going back to school part time in the evenings when your spouse can watch the child may be a new beginning for you.
Money
If your net pay is barely enough to pay for the infant day care costs, then you would rather want to bond with the baby instead of sitting through long commutes, bearing office politics and grouchy bosses. You may end up saving money by not having to pay for gas, work clothes, lunches and the inevitable co-worker bridal showers.
However, if you make well over and above the charges of the infant day care center, then you do have more of a choice. Look into tax breaks for child care and other such deductions so that you don’t end up paying more than you have to when it comes to Uncle Sam.
Choosing Day Care
If after weighing the pros and cons of your career and money, you still decide to send your infant to day care; then shop around. Ask friends for referrals and visit the places for a tour. The day care options are endless because quality varies drastically. Don’t think you’ve scored a ‘great deal’ by signing up for poor quality day care.
Some of the very popular places have up to a two year waiting list for newborns so you may want to register during your pregnancy. Rates and waiting lists do drop when the child is over 2, but they still are substantial. However, if you want to have the best for your child and not sacrifice your passion for your career, then it is a small price to pay for quality infant day care.
Career
If you are at such a point in your career where you wouldn’t want to lose your hard work or place in line as you climb to the top, then perhaps you can financially justify infant day care expenses. However, if you’re at a dead end kind of job, then you may have to seriously consider quitting. The break from the mundane routine might actually give you the opportunity to sit back and look for a better job. You can polish your skills and update your resume while you stay home with the baby. Perhaps taking a new computer course or going back to school part time in the evenings when your spouse can watch the child may be a new beginning for you.
Money
If your net pay is barely enough to pay for the infant day care costs, then you would rather want to bond with the baby instead of sitting through long commutes, bearing office politics and grouchy bosses. You may end up saving money by not having to pay for gas, work clothes, lunches and the inevitable co-worker bridal showers.
However, if you make well over and above the charges of the infant day care center, then you do have more of a choice. Look into tax breaks for child care and other such deductions so that you don’t end up paying more than you have to when it comes to Uncle Sam.
Choosing Day Care
If after weighing the pros and cons of your career and money, you still decide to send your infant to day care; then shop around. Ask friends for referrals and visit the places for a tour. The day care options are endless because quality varies drastically. Don’t think you’ve scored a ‘great deal’ by signing up for poor quality day care.
Some of the very popular places have up to a two year waiting list for newborns so you may want to register during your pregnancy. Rates and waiting lists do drop when the child is over 2, but they still are substantial. However, if you want to have the best for your child and not sacrifice your passion for your career, then it is a small price to pay for quality infant day care.
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