Monday, November 17, 2008

Child Care

Oh Boy! I have two dilemmas ... Child care for this year ... and child care for next.

It is very very possible that I will need to come back after my paid 6 weeks of maternity care. I just can't imagine how we would survive 4 weeks of a "no pay" salary. Here's why ... pardon the math!

I earn approximately $200 a day. I get paid about $145 a day because they spread out the payments across 12 months, not 10. If I were to take 4 weeks without pay ... I would not lose 20*145 ... but 20*200. My pay check would be 2900 for those 4 weeks, but I would loose 4000 ... therefore not only will I sacrifice the 2900 (I am TOTALLY okay with that!) but then I would owe the district BACK 1100 PLUS the cost of insurance for the month, (about 2000 total I am figuring). I totally didn't think about this until a dear friend of mine got trapped in the middle of it. JEEZE!

SO now I need to find a child care service for the end of the year. IF you know anyone close to me or my work ... any suggestions will be appreciated! He will be only 6 weeks old ... and it will be for 4 weeks.

I have been debating for quite some time whether or not I will return to school next year. It is such a hard decision. I have been going back and forth for months now. My mom stayed home -- and I loved having her there! I want to be home. BUT looking at our finances -- I don't know if I can yet. I am sure that we would be fine ... but if Joe lost his job, we would be sunk ... and fast! We have very very very very little in savings. Very little. (close to zilch). I don't feel comfortable leaving my job without more financial security at home. Joe and I will work on paying off the majority of our debts, (we are SO close to being done). We only want to owe on our car, house, and student loan. Next year we want to live on Joe's income (to see if we can do it) and save mine. If we can do this, we will have a huge savings account. A lot closer than almost zilch.

I got on the waiting list today to take the little monster to the day care at bingham high. I am on a waiting list for August. It is very difficult to get into, so I would like a back up. Any suggestions? This is crazy.

4 comments:

Jen said...

The math thing went waaay over my head but I understood the bottom line and I feel your pain. I used Maxine Newsome. She's in our ward and I loved her. She was ALWAYS reliable, great with kids, consistent, and I thought she was great. I'm pretty sure she still does daycare.

John and Kim said...

I'm so sorry that you have to figure all of this out but, I'm so glad that you have to deal with it. I'm still excited that you have this challenge to figure out. If I was still there I would love to help you out. If you want to move out here I'm sure we could find you a place to teach. I miss you so much put more pictures on you site of just e-mail some to me please.
Miss Ya Kinm

Kirsten said...

I have no advice for you. Sorry. I can tell you that, no matter what, you are HIGHLY valued! By the way...happy late birthday. Sorry I missed it.

Jess and Jen said...

I think if there's anyway possible for you to remain home next school year, that's what I'd try for. I say this for two reasons: after you pay for child care, just how much do you come out ahead, anyway (especially with infants...they cost more!). The second reason is your family will benefit.