Leaving a Government job because of daycare expenses.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking of resigning from my job since fter paying our nanny and all taxes I net only about $1,200 a month. This amount is spent on food and other expenses and I borrow from my savings every month. Daycare would be similarly priced since we have three kids and we have no family in the area to help. I feel that if I stay home I can also save on all the other associated expenses from working and commuting. We could maybe eat at home more too and probably live a heathier lifestyle. On top of our childcare expenses I think we would save an extra $1,000 a month if I stay home. Spending time with my kids is also priceless. My issue is that it's a great job and I worked really hard to get here. I've only been out of school for 6 years (masters) and a gap in my resume will not look so good. If I leave I know I could never come back to the same position or maybe even the government. When we had one opening we had hundreds of applicants and they still gave it to an internal candidate. Leaving a government job is a hard decision. The thought of being unemployed just scares me, but I do feel that I'm working to pay my nanny.

[Anonymous]

You're not thinking long term.

[Anonymous]

I would probably keep the job. Your kids will only need a nanny for so much longer before they start school. Good government jobs are hard to come by.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're not thinking long term.

Your kids are only young now.

[Anonymous]

Are you able to telework? That might free up more time to see your kids (instead of commuting).

I too have a fed job and am thinking of giving it up. It's soooo inflexible. I MUST work 8:30-5 (get dinged if I come in at 8), can't telework and I just got told that I can't take Easter week off to visit family because ONE other person is off during that time. Just not family friendly at all.

[Anonymous]

How much does your husband make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking of resigning from my job since fter paying our nanny and all taxes I net only about $1,200 a month. This amount is spent on food and other expenses and I borrow from my savings every month. Daycare would be similarly priced since we have three kids and we have no family in the area to help. I feel that if I stay home I can also save on all the other associated expenses from working and commuting. We could maybe eat at home more too and probably live a heathier lifestyle. On top of our childcare expenses I think we would save an extra $1,000 a month if I stay home. Spending time with my kids is also priceless. My issue is that it's a great job and I worked really hard to get here. I've only been out of school for 6 years (masters) and a gap in my resume will not look so good. If I leave I know I could never come back to the same position or maybe even the government. When we had one opening we had hundreds of applicants and they still gave it to an internal candidate. Leaving a government job is a hard decision. The thought of being unemployed just scares me, but I do feel that I'm working to pay my nanny.

Accept the fact that for the younger years, you may in fact be basically paying for the nanny, but you are proposing a permanent "solution" to a short-term problem.

[Anonymous]

Agree with others-- the point of your job right now isn't necc. to bring in a lot of extra cash, it's to enable you to save for retirement and have your great job for as long as want it-- esp since you'll want it in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Why are you counting daycare against your salary alone and not your overall HHI??

[Anonymous]

I would not leave unless your DH has great job security and you have a ton in retirement and college savings. Your children will be in school soon enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would probably keep the job. Your kids will only need a nanny for so much longer before they start school. Good government jobs are hard to come by.

I worked for awhile to pay the nanny too. It is temporary. I would keep the job.

[Anonymous]

My issue is that it's a great job and I worked really hard to get here. I've only been out of school for 6 years (masters) and a gap in my resume will not look so good. If I leave I know I could never come back to the same position or maybe even the government.

Read "the feminine mistake." Daycare expenses are an investment in your future. You shouldn't be counting them against your salary alone as one PP stated - if you count the expense against both salaries, it's more fair to you.

[Anonymous]

OP ~ make sure your partner is on-board or you will never hear the end of it. Not that that has to govern your decision.

[Anonymous]

It's a lot more expensive to stay home with your kids than you might think so when you are doing your finances, you need to consider that as well.

But, as others have said, you are being short sighted.

[Anonymous]

She doesn't want to hear this. She posted the exact same thing in the "Jobs" forum last week and received the same "you would be crazy to leave" replies.

Just quit already.