10% of our HHI. That’s full time daycare for a preschool aged child, before/aftercare for a school aged child, and camp for 4 weeks in the summer.

30k for daycare. Combined income 225k. So 13%. It’s insane. Very worried for when future kids come along. Trying to get into a different center that would be 24k or 10%.

30k for daycare. Combined income 225k. So 13%. It’s insane. Very worried for when future kids come along. Trying to get into a different center that would be 24k or 10%.

30k for daycare. Combined income 225k. So 13%. It’s insane. Very worried for when future kids come along. Trying to get into a different center that would be 24k or 10%.

Over 25% for one. Trying for a second now and dreading that year of overlapping day care - I expect a promotion and raise this year but not enough to cover infant day care with no impact on the budget!

$10k for Sept-May full time care, plus a few weeks of cobbled together sitters and vacations to match fcps (I’m a teacher). 15% of my income, but only 5% of household income.

My kids are in high school now, but when they were 2 under four, I was in the negative. We paid more for daycare, then what I was earning. And, we kept it up. If you pull yourself out of the workforce, you won't get back. And or you won't get back at the level you were earning. Stay at work, and keep the belt tight for a couple more years. You're already through the worst of it, and almost done!

A few years ago, when my children were very young, the cost of childcare was equivalent to about 43% of my income. Now that they're in public school, the costs have dropped dramatically to just camps and aftercare (12%).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title says it all. I earn $75k. With two children under 4, childcare costs are $50k. Should I just stay home until the youngest is in Kindergarten?

Can you easily reenter the workforce?

I cannot. The gap in the resume would be detrimental in my field.

Don’t quit.

Can you make more money? You can earn 50k as a nanny...you’re a professional earning only $75k??

Get a clue. The average American household has an income of 50K. A professional earning $75K is doing great. It's just that childcare in this country is crazy expensive.

It’s about $1500 per month so about 10% of HHI.

I make 175K and DH makes 350K. We pay roughly $40,000 a year for combo of daycare and nanny (not full time nanny - both kids go to daycare for most of the day but nanny does pick up) for two kids ages 3 and 6 months.

Anonymous wrote:If you can make ends meet both ways (minimum ends as in housing, food, loan payments) then it isn't a near term financial question it is a long term financial question and personal one. Look out to your earnings both ways for the next decade not the next 3 years, combined with your personal preferences. And both partners pay for childcare not just thr woman!

+100

Anonymous wrote:The title says it all. I earn $75k. With two children under 4, childcare costs are $50k. Should I just stay home until the youngest is in Kindergarten?

When I had my first kid I made 55K/yr, I spent $14,300/yr on childcare. When I had my second kid, we went to a nanny, I made 90k/yr and spent 45K on childcare, plus another 5K on church based preschool. This was 9 years ago.

This year I am on target to make 296K and am very glad I played the long game and never was short sighted about my career.

Cost for full day preschool right now is about 15% of my salary and about 20% of my take home. It was closer to 50% for infant and toddler care.

It is a factor in to why I don't have any more kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title says it all. I earn $75k. With two children under 4, childcare costs are $50k. Should I just stay home until the youngest is in Kindergarten?

Can you easily reenter the workforce?

I cannot. The gap in the resume would be detrimental in my field.

Don’t quit.

Can you make more money? You can earn 50k as a nanny...you’re a professional earning only $75k??

NP: Yes, a lot of professionals make $75k, and many earn less than $75k. Welcome to the real world, PP.