I bring home basically no dollars when you think of it that way.

BUT I have spent the past 4 years contributing to my 401k, including a nice company match. While we don't see this today, future me is very happy we made this decision.

I also contribute about $100 per kid per month in the 529. In no way will we be able to fully pay for college when the time comes, BUT, every little bit helps and this is the type of thing that would have to be cut from the budget if I were to stay home. Again, future me is very happy with this decision.

And I have gained skills, promotions, raises etc. that will benefit me when the kids are fully in school in 2 more years.

So while framing this way makes it seem like its not worth it, it really is worth it in the long run.

Work. You will get benefits and build your career and earning potential, and your workplace seniority so that you will have more flexibility later on.

If you still want to SAH, do it after the 2nd baby-- that's much more cost-effective.

SAH

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To think long-term.

+1

Now that kids are in school my salary, which is higher because of raises and promotions, is a great addition to the family budget. And I have a healthy TSP growing.

Instead of thinking of daycare coming out of mom's salary, why not think of it as a family expense from the overall budget including dad's salary?

NP. Because it's a cost that only exists with both parents working. For accounting purposes, it comes out of the salary of whoever would be the one to stay home. It's just basic economics, no reason to make it a feminist stand.

Anonymous wrote:To think long-term.

+1

Now that kids are in school my salary, which is higher because of raises and promotions, is a great addition to the family budget. And I have a healthy TSP growing.

Instead of thinking of daycare coming out of mom's salary, why not think of it as a family expense from the overall budget including dad's salary?

Anonymous wrote:Stick it out until they were in school so I would be able to earn higher wages than if I took a break.

Also, I was building retirement, receiving health care benefits and generally like my life better.

Same here. The daycare years are short, they really are. Plus it gets a little cheaper every year so slowly I felt like I started to see some money when combined with COL increases.

Are you married/do you have a partner? Consider that it won't be your whole salary, you'll be splitting this cost with him/her. In other words, don't think of daycare as negating your salary; think of it as taking a big chunk out of your salary.

There are other benefits to consider: health care, 401K/retirement matches, additional employer benefits, continuity of employment, continuity of salary/potential raises, keeping your foot in the door to make it easier when it makes more financial sense to be working full-time...

Stick it out until they were in school so I would be able to earn higher wages than if I took a break.

Also, I was building retirement, receiving health care benefits and generally like my life better.

I kept working.

I would not encourage you to look at it this way. Daycare is a household expense, not a mother's expense.

Daycare is a relatively short period in your child's life. If you want to continue working after your child is school age, it is probably better to keep your job. Re-entry can be done, but it's normally not without its challenges.

It depends. Do you love your job? Does it provide healthcare or other benefits? Is it a career track for you?

to SAH. As it turned out, I ended up getting a P/T job that I could do from home (so much lower childcare costs) for the same amount of money. But that kind of offer only comes when you're not desperately looking for the money, if that makes sense.

Is this a trick question?

To think long-term.

What did you decide?