is it worth.....

Autumn - posted on 06/07/2009

I have been a stay at home mom for sixteen years. I have not ever tried to work outside of the house because i have done research into how much it would cost me for daycare, gas and meals. i would actually be in the negative instead of bringing more money in. Instead i have been taking children into my home and watching them for family and friends that have to work to make ends meet. i dont charge my family but if they want to pay me i let them decide what they can afford. As for my friends, i charge them a fraction of what they would have to pay a daycare, and only ask them to help with snacks or sending their children with their own lunch (because some children can be very particular) It has worked great for me so far. We all benefit.

Sonja - posted on 06/07/2009

Hi there, I am a stay at home mum as well with only my husbands wages and govt support benefits......Its hard to adjust to not having the money to spend on what you want and I have to make sure that our money down to the last cent covers everything but at the moment we are coping quite well with rent and bills. I am lucky that I dont have to work as childcare is rather expensive. I have actually sign up for doing surveys on the internet that you get paid for and recieve gift vouchers.....Takes a while to build up your dollars but anything helps.....And I am lucky to have a fashion degree so could sew from home once my carpal tunnel gets better to make extra money.....Also have you thought about becoming a caregiver in your region and look after other childern in your own home as a source of income.....Good luck

Sarah - posted on 06/07/2009

if you really wanted to go back to work, or you really need the money (lol) then you could try getting a job that's in the evenings, just a few nights a week. i'm going back to work a few nights a week like 7-11pm and a few hrs on a saturday afternoon. that way i don't have to pay for childcare because my husband has the kids (also they don't miss me because they're sleeping!) all depends on your husbands hrs i guess. i'm doing under 16hrs so it doesn't effect my benefits and also i don't get taxed (i think!)
hope this helps :)

Mel - posted on 06/06/2009

Honestly, i do not think it is really worth it to go back to work. the money you will earn will just go to childcare bills and wont leave you with any extra money at the end of the week if that is why you want to go to work. if you wanted to go back to work to have a break from your children and get used to getting back into work so when they go to school you wont feel so lost, but i'd just enjoy the time you have at home with your beautiful children while you can and wait til they are both in school to get another gob!

Jenifer - posted on 06/06/2009

With two babies and a bad economy, I really doubt you'll find going back to work to be cost-effective. I work full-time and have one baby in daycare. A huge portion of my paycheck does go toward his care. I'd probably stay home too, if not for the fact that I'm working on a degree, which will help me later on. Just enjoy being at home with your babies!

Tara - posted on 06/06/2009

I'm a stay at home mom and my husband and I sat down and figured out that for me to go back to work I would have to work full-time at a job that paid a minimum of $12-$14/per hour (I'm in Canada), and even at that, most of my pay would go to daycare, so we wouldn't be any further ahead. I'm taking a course to do medical transcription from home, and there are a lot of jobs in that field, plus they hire internationally, so that might be something worth checking out for you. There are a few stay at home jobs that aren't scams, you just need to do your research. Good luck finding something :)

Meg - posted on 06/06/2009

I have stayed at home with my daughter for three years now, because it's not worth going back to work. For about six months, I continued my previous job on weekends and a few evenings only for extra income. I also had a job at my church part time where I could take my daughter with me. Most recently, I was providing childcare in my home, which brought in as much money as a full-time job, and it offered an opportunity for my daughter to have playmates. I just stopped doing that since I'm close to my due date, but these are all options. Good luck!

LaCi - posted on 06/06/2009

I will only be able to go back to work part time with nico's grandparents taking him a few days per week. Childcare is expensive in my area, I live in the US, but I imagine its the same pretty much everywhere. if I worked full time half my check would go to childcare. Fortunately, his grandparents like to take him a few days per week for about the right amount of hours and all it would require is switching their days around. Sometimes you can find moms who provide childcare in their homes, and they tend to be less expensive. I have looked into jobs with childcare benefits, a lot of places offer childcare here, especially hospitals. Unfortunately, finding a job in the states as of late is a challenge, especially if its a job with good benefits.

Mel - posted on 06/06/2009

well i know in australia its not worth going back to work centrelink told me i woudl be better off staying home and having more babies. i did go back but only 2 half days a week and only for 2 months when she was 5-7 months old. now im happy being a stay at home mumma. im not sure about stay at home jobs sorry x