Reply to Is 4 months too young to send baby to daycare?

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Reply to "Is 4 months too young to send baby to daycare?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I totally hear you on the career anxiety—it’s not just about the $40k; it’s about the 'on-ramp' back into a team she loves. But as a dad in D.C. with a newborn (born March 14!) and a toddler, I can tell you that the 'daycare vs. career' choice isn't the only move on the board.

If you’re worried about 4 months being too young for a center (which is a totally valid concern regarding ratios and germs), have you looked into the Au Pair route? It might be the perfect 'middle ground' for your specific situation.

Why it might solve your dilemma:

Career Security: Your wife can go back to work at 4 months as planned, keeping her job and seniority.

Developmental Peace of Mind: Instead of a 1:4 ratio at a daycare, your daughter gets 1-on-1 care in her own home. You avoid the 'constant daycare sickness' for at least the first year.

The 'Work-from-Home' Bonus: Since you have a high income, I’m guessing one or both of you might WFH occasionally. Having an au pair means you can 'pop in' for a snuggle at lunch, which you can't do with daycare.

The Math: I’m a bit of a data nerd, and in the D.C. area, Cultural Care has a $1,000 regional promo right now that actually stacks with a $250 referral credit ($1,250 total off). The all-in cost for an au pair is often comparable to D.C. daycare once you factor in the $1,500/mo tuition + the 'hidden' costs of taking off work when the baby gets sick.

The $1k D.C. promo ends April 30, so if you’re looking to lock in care for later this year, it’s a great window. If you want a referral link for that extra $250 credit, feel free to use ours: https://www.culturalcare.com/refer/?referralId=AD37D4FD

It might be the easiest way to support your wife’s career goals without feeling like you’re compromising on the 1-on-1 care you want for your daughter at such a young age.[/quote]

Wow you really want that referral bonus, don’t you? [/quote]

🤢
We tried cultural care au pairs and they were the WORST childcare option we ever had.  These girls are lured into these au pair jobs with promises of fun and adventure.  Look at their hiring ads, not just the ads they send out to families.  The advertising is polar opposite.  Families, they tell you you’re getting innocent young adults who will gladly nurture your children.   Au pairs, they tell you you’re getting minimal hours and lots of time to party.  The result is that these 19-21-yos arrive and want to party.  They were all like having a foster teenager, and all caused one disaster after another.  Lost the $$$$ cell phones we were expected to buy for them.  Crashed our car.  Left our toddler children unattended in malls.  Refused to do even their own laundry.  Total nightmare! [/quote]
I thought they were were older kids. It never would have occurred to me to leave a baby with a 19 year old [/quote]

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