https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:07:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1778960 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:31:55 +0000 Sparkler 1778960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I never expected to have a nanny, but as many have mentioned daycare for 2 in major metro areas is just too expensive, especially when you consider all the other things you have to deal with like packing lunches and bringing supplies, illnesses/staying home from work, and daycare politics and turnover. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1778900 Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:11:58 +0000 snowjewelz 1778900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: @littlek: Phew, so these posts motivated me to call daycares and it's good to know that all of them are def still have plenty of spots for March enrollment and some are def flexible with the part-time days. I guess my area is not THAT crazy, which is good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1777268 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:48:18 +0000 AprilFool 1777268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Originally I was going back to work and we were going to ask MIL but I didn't go back and even if I did I wouldn't of asked MIL. Maybe now she is older but not when she was younger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1776271 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:57:10 +0000 CakeLady 1776271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I hope so - though one daycare center told us they wouldn't be likely to have a spot until next August! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1776267 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:56:10 +0000 Tanjowen 1776267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It radically changed! We had selected a daycare, filled out pre-registration paperwork and knew he would enter there when I came back after my maternity leave. Well...I had the baby and then couldn't imagine leaving him with strangers. So we arranged for my mom to care for him 3-4 days a week, my husband the other days (he has a flexible schedule).</p> <p>I lasted all of 2 days and put in my notice. I now work 2 days a week, and my mom or husband cares for him while I'm at work. I love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1776033 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:50:07 +0000 littlek 1776033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Nannys make sense for more than 2 LOs. Infant rooms are about $2k for one, Nannys are more than that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1776021 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:46:42 +0000 snowjewelz 1776021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: yeah I have been wondering that.. I called a few places and it doesn't SEEM like it's crazy like that, and a brand new one JUST opened by my work so it can't go thaaaat crazy yet................ I think. Hahaha.</p> <p>@ABMAMMA: man 2.5 yr is pretty crazy, but that's like metro NY too. I totally agree that I might want to wait till 1 kid is eligible for free school before having another... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1776020 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:46:34 +0000 abmamma 1776020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Not in DC! Nanny shares are cheaper than having your own nanny but more than day care for sure, at least around here. It was probably pretty close when DD was an infant (given infant rooms are typically more anyway) when you look at the weekly cost. But we also pay nanny taxes (SS, Medicare, etc.) on top of that. So it's definitely more than if we had her in daycare, especially now that she's a toddler :( Wait lists are rough--I have yet to get off the waitlist for the day care affiliated with my job (2.5 years later!) We are gonna stick with our situation until she is 3 and ready for preschool next year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1776017 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:45:00 +0000 littlek 1776017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: not sure how competitive your area is but daycares fill up FAST! Like people sign up the minute they get BFP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775984 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:30:46 +0000 snowjewelz 1775984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@abmamma: I would think that nanny share is cheaper!! I am for sure in the naive camp right now too...</p> <p>@CakeLady: By 90 mos there's gotta be a spot right?!</p> <p>@littlek: Thats what I have to do in Aug.. I should've done this in May/June cause DH is traveling pretty much every week this month, but then it was so early! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775940 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:19:21 +0000 BlueWolverine 1775940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The general plan stayed the same, but took different forms. We got on the waitlist for the best day care center in town and searched for others. We started out thinking we'd have her at one center, but I went and did a long visit with her, and I freaked out. So, we found another center that looked great. Went with that one. Turns out it's not so great, so we switched to a small church day care that we loved. Finally, at 17 mo, LO got in to the really good day care (it's affiliated with my job) and we switched her. So, three day cares and part time nanny for one of the in between times. Damn, my kid is resilient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775898 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:03:48 +0000 littlek 1775898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: have you found a daycare that works with that schedule? Some daycares are weird about part time in the infant room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775884 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:59:21 +0000 CakeLady 1775884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our original plan totally did not work out... We were going to do daycare - home or center - but we didn't really love what we saw or encountered extremely long wait lists when we were looking before LO was born. Then we decided we'd try a nanny share and found another family and started interviewing nannies. Unfortunately, it ended up not being a good fit. So with 4.5 weeks until I go back to work we are planning to get our own nanny (who I think we've found :happy: ) for 3 days a week, DH will be home 1 day/week, and my mom will watch him 1 day/week. It is definitely more expensive than we planned. We may transition to a home daycare once he gets a little older (9 mos or a year) and we are registered for a full day preschool/daycare program when he turns 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775795 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:16:36 +0000 abmamma 1775795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I was totally naive to the reality of day care waitlists in my area (DC) and pinned my hopes to the day care facility affiliated with my job. By the time I realized my mistake, I'd pretty much missed the boat on anything that would be available when I went back to work so we ended up with a nanny share. In some ways it turned out for the best as it has been great for my LO and works well with our work schedules/logistics....but definitely more $$ than we had anticipated (which is having implications for discussions about a #2)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775779 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 11:09:54 +0000 swedishfish 1775779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I'd look into home daycares. They seem to be more flexible than the big box daycares. I'm going to gold wall you a useful link! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775749 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:52:59 +0000 snowjewelz 1775749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: That's what I'm afraid of! Some centers' websites already stated specific days for part-time. I will be finding out soon enough as I start calling for info/scheduling for tours! In my mind right now I just think I gotta be able to find ONE that I like and is flexible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775744 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:49:41 +0000 swedishfish 1775744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: yes! We thought we'd send her to a daycare center part time but the ones in my neck of LI really don't allowed part time for infants. Plus we only need child care for 2ish hours 3 days a week. We ended up using a family friend to babysit since she stays home with her two LOs. We are going to try having her come to our house in September. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775741 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:46:48 +0000 looch 1775741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not sure I ever decided fully, it just happened that we went with a center because my mother happened to work at the main building (the elementary school) and we were able to get in without having to be on the waiting list.</p> <p>Then the center closed, and I was scrambling. I found a wonderful program via a nature center and it's really the silver lining in the day care closing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775716 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:35:57 +0000 littlek 1775716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We planned on putting DS in full time daycare. It did not work out for us and I quit my job to stay home with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775677 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:21:42 +0000 Corduroy 1775677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted a daycare center, not in-home. They had to have a 4 day a week rate because DH was going to watch her one day. We did that for 3 months before we moved.</p> <p>LO is now in her 3rd in-home daycare and she attends 5 days a week. It's different than I anticipated but we're happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775634 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:05:34 +0000 LuLu Mom 1775634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We planned on a fulltime in home daycare, and that's what we went with and are still currently doing. We've tossed around the idea of putting LO in a center for more of a "school" setting, but she's so happy there I can't imagine taking her out. We will do 2 years of preschool instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775625 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 10:01:33 +0000 septca 1775625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our situation is much different than I expected, even 18 months later. I wanted DD to be in a daycare center near my office, so I diligently got on wait lists and waited. Towards the end of my mat leave, it was pretty obvious we wouldn't get into a center in time, so we joined a nanny share thinking that would be temporary. DD is 18 mo and we still have our (wonderful) nanny because we are *still* on wait lists. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775618 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:55:24 +0000 sunny 1775618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I unexpectedly decided to quit my job and be a SAHM for a year. We were planning to put her in daycare full time but I didn't feel ready to do it. I was happy to stay home with her and then when we finally did start daycare I was also happy with the timing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775613 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:53:16 +0000 snowjewelz 1775613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sotofamilia: That's a really positive story! Could've been a disaster but the arrangement turned out to be even better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775605 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:50:56 +0000 blackbird 1775605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always felt like I wanted to go with an in-home daycare, and we did. I'm really happy with the situation. It's been pretty much exactly as we planned </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775602 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:49:38 +0000 sotofamilia 1775602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: oh yeah, absolutely. While I was pregnant, we found an in-home daycare close by our house for $180 a week (daycare is normally $450 a week around here). We were thrilled and asked her to reserve a spot. </p> <p>Once I had my LO, I knew almost instantly that I wasn't going to send him there. The kids were always in front of the TV, and the lady's husband was there. Not to stereotype, but I found the set-up to be weird.</p> <p>We had played around with the idea of one of my husband's aunts watching our LO...I got serious about that idea about a month before I went to work and hired her.</p> <p>It was the best decision I've made. She is incredible and well worth every penny. I thank God at least once a week that she's in our lives and we didn't send our LO to the cheaper place.</p> <p>I've had lots of friends stress out about childcare while pregnant/on maternity leave, and it always works out. There are SO many options! You'll find something that works for you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775587 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:40:58 +0000 MamaG 1775587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had always planned on full time care. It's where we are. The only thing that was shocking was cost. We changed centers at one year to an even more costly center. The care and education received is well worth the price but it's a hit to the budget. We are very fearful for the next two years with two in daycare. I'm anxious for public school in two years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775557 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:30:10 +0000 autumnlove 1775557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband unexpectedly moved up the seniority ladder at work so he got a new line (schedule) after LO 2 was born. He started working 4 days in a row (usually thurs-sun, sometimes wednesdays) instead of scattered days so we are able to put the LOs in daycare PT. He watches them for two days and they go to daycare for the rest of the week. I have been happy with this arrangement and I know he is too because he gets more time with the kids...he is pretty bummed about missing most weekend activities! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775554 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:27:39 +0000 Adira 1775554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Yeah, I originally thought I probably wouldn't still be nursing when I returned to work at 12 weeks, but then I was, so it just made more sense to me to stay home when Xander needed because any excuse to NOT pump, I jumped on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-childcare-situation-turned-out-completely-different-that-what-you-thoughtplanned#post-1775553 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 09:27:12 +0000 Smurfette 1775553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our changed that we had to move her to a center closer to the house. Once she moved to one nap, the long drive home wasn't working for her. So we are spending A LOT more then we planned on and now the rate doesn't go down with age. </p>