SAHM ----> PT job - need advice/feedback

[ladygrey]

I currently SAH, but have always said that I would be open to working part-time if the right opportunity came along. A non-profit organization that is affiliated with DH's company just posted an opening for a PT event planner that sounds like it would be a good fit (previously I worked as an events coordinator). Also, the executive director ran into DH yesterday and mentioned that my name was tossed around as a possible candidate. It is 15-20 hours a week with no benefits, but a flexible schedule, great coworkers (I know the woman who is the supervisor for the job and she's terrific), and a good work environment.

I am interested, but have two major concerns:

1. childcare for DD - If I got this job, I would be working two full days a week, so we'd need to get a PT nanny. For some reason, thinking about this makes me really anxious and the logistics seem tricky. I worry that we won't be able to find someone trustworthy and capable who's only willing to work two days a week in our price range, which leads me to the next point...

2. low salary - basically everything I would be making (and possibly more) would go toward paying a nanny, so I wouldn't be bringing home a paycheck - it would be more for my own personal growth. I am the trailing spouse in our marriage, and although I gave up my previous job to SAH (which I'm happy with most of the time), sometimes I wonder if working PT would help me feel more fulfilled and happy.

WWYD if you were in this situation? Is it crazy to take a job where you wouldn't make any money, and may even end up PAYING to work?

[cricketwife]

Is a nanny your only childcare option?

[ladygrey]

cricketwife - most likely. Both of our parents still work full-time, so that's not an option. I looked into a few daycares while I was pregnant and was really surprised to see there weren't any price breaks for PT kids - you pay for the full week regardless of how many days they go (maybe this is a common policy at all daycares?). Still, I don't know if a daycare would be cheaper than a nanny/babysitter in the long run.

[hocus2]

Mar 26, 2014 15:54:33 GMT -5 ladygrey said:

cricketwife - most likely. Both of our parents still work full-time, so that's not an option. I looked into a few daycares while I was pregnant and was really surprised to see there weren't any price breaks for PT kids - you pay for the full week regardless of how many days they go (maybe this is a common policy at all daycares?). Still, I don't know if a daycare would be cheaper than a nanny/babysitter in the long run.

   This just means you live in a high demand area. It is rare for a center here to offer p/t because there are wait lists for full time kids.
  You might be able to find something that would work with you. Or you could pay the full price and have your kid in 3 days a week so you could run errands.

  In terms of nannies all you can do is look at your options. Nanny wages vary considerably across the region.

[SJ]

That sounds like an awesome opportunity!

We toured 5 daycare options (center & in-home) and 4 of them had part-time options where you could pay for 2, 3, or 5 days.

Our local parent listserv ALWAYS has people looking for and nannies offering part-time care as well. I would try putting up a listing or just asking around for word of mouth recommendations.

An in-home daycare would most likely be cheaper than a nanny and more flexible than a center.

[pugz]

I work part time and my schedule varies from week to week so a center wouldn't work for me since they wanted me to commit to the days I would need. In homes offered me the flexibility I needed and were $20 a day less than the centers.

[dcn]

I sah until about a month ago. Best decision I have made in a long time.

I would explore other childcare options, but yes, part time care can be really difficult and expensive to find. We are paying for a full time spot at our in home, since i am working 25 hours over four days a week. The nice thing is that we could use her on fridays if needed. If you find you need a nanny, i would try to find a college student who may only want part time hours. If you have a local college maybe a childhood education major or a nursing student?

I dont think i would pay to go to work, but now that im back i would consider it. I love having that part of my life back and i feel like i hve finally emerged from my mom brain haze. I feel like me again.

[ladygrey]

Mar 26, 2014 16:01:24 GMT -5 hocus2 said:

Mar 26, 2014 15:54:33 GMT -5 ladygrey said:

cricketwife - most likely. Both of our parents still work full-time, so that's not an option. I looked into a few daycares while I was pregnant and was really surprised to see there weren't any price breaks for PT kids - you pay for the full week regardless of how many days they go (maybe this is a common policy at all daycares?). Still, I don't know if a daycare would be cheaper than a nanny/babysitter in the long run.

   This just means you live in a high demand area. It is rare for a center here to offer p/t because there are wait lists for full time kids.
  You might be able to find something that would work with you. Or you could pay the full price and have your kid in 3 days a week so you could run errands.

  In terms of nannies all you can do is look at your options. Nanny wages vary considerably across the region.

This is definitely true - our metro area shows up all the time on lists of least affordable and highest demand for childcare.

I don't want DD in daycare full-time; one of the most appealing things about this job is that I could still spend the majority of the week at home with her. 

I started looking on Care.com last night just to see what was out there and many nannies were asking as much or more than I would be making at this job.

[dcn]

Another option could be a fellow sahm? I would have considered watching a friend's child two days a week.

[lolo]

There are au pairs in my area who only work 4 days a week and therefore look for pt gigs. I wonder if you could find two people like that?

I also agree that a sahm would be a possibility. I would consider that for sure for two days a week.

[whitepicketfence]

I went back to work PT last spring when an opportunity came up. My situation is slightly different in that I work evenings and weekends (23 hrs/week) so I don't have to worry about daycare. DH does take evening classes and his schedule varies term-to-term but my mom is able to watch the girls when needed since she gets out of work before my shift starts those nights. I don't qualify for benefits although I am able to contribute to their Roth 401K (and get the match) and am eligible for bonuses. I make a little over $14/hour so I don't make a ton but it certainly adds up since I don't have to pay for child care.

Personally, I don't think I would take a PT job if it meant I would be in the hole after paying for child care. I wouldn't have been able to afford that for one, but it also wouldn't have been worth it for me. I'm just not one of those people who felt like I HAD to work for my sanity. With that said, I would absolutely explore all of your options before making any decisions here.

[drloretta]

Mar 26, 2014 18:10:59 GMT -5 whitepicketfence said:

Personally, I don't think I would take a PT job if it meant I would be in the hole after paying for child care. I wouldn't have been able to afford that for one, but it also wouldn't have been worth it for me. I'm just not one of those people who felt like I HAD to work for my sanity. With that said, I would absolutely explore all of your options before making any decisions here.

This is me. Unless it was more or less guaranteed to lead to something more lucrative in the pretty short term, I wouldn't pay to work. But I'm currently looking at jobs, just got contacted for a FT job (I just posted about it), and would only consider it because it would give us extra $ that we need. And even then I'm already trying to figure out childcare logistics (DD goes to a 1/2 day Montessori 30 min from our house) and hyperventilating over not being home with her.

[whereintheworld]

I would work to break even, yes. And PT seems like a great balance.
Looking in to in-homes, nanny shares, other SAHMs to act as a babysitter - there are other childcare options. I'd apply to the position and start exploring the other childcare avenues so you can make an informed decision if/when you receive a job offer.

[ryry]

I just started working PT as an event coordinator for a non profit DD1 is in half day preschool, so I didn't need to worry about her, but it was really hard to find something for DD2. I ended up finding a SAHM who is awesome and she watches her now. It's not a long term solution, and I do think I'll need to hire a nanny eventually, but it is working well now.

[leonard131]

I also would pay to work because even though right now it might be a wash it helping to build your career for the future which may lead to more money and it is giving you the opportunity to do something you want to do and be fulfilled doing ( I am not saying SAH is not fulfilling).

You would be surprised how many people may be looking for PT nanny gigs. I was looking for someone to work 2 days a week at one time and got tons of applicants. Many of them only wanted a PT because they were in school or looking to supplement their income. For instance one women I really liked was a private yoga instructor and massage therapist so she worked her clients around her schedule. She had been a FT nanny for years and wanted to pursue the yoga side of things. Another one made and sold jewerly but had worked in a daycare previously. All this to say they are out there. Don't let that hold you back.

[loskadoodle]

I work pt, 3 full days. I pay for retirement and childcare, but it's good for my sanity.

[mmmomof2]

I work T/R and pay through the nose for a center daycare for two kids. I net a little bit, but if somebody is sick I'm in the hole because you have to pay even if you go or not! Generally I'm netting a few hundred a month though and pay for our housecleaners. Overall I'm enjoying working, but sometimes it's a pain. I think my girls are getting something from their days at daycare, and I'm getting a break and get to keep my resume active.

My friend found a nanny through Care.com and she pays about the same as I pay for daycare. I like that my kids get socialization with other kids though and that I'm not dependent on one person. I'm pretty sure you could find a PT daycare though. There are lots of kids who only go MWF or TR.

[jenn248]

I know when my sister was looking for daycare, they were going to pair with another family so that my sister's two kids went two days a week and the other family's two kids went three days a week; together they counted as one set of full-time kids, so that was how they were going to be able to send their kids to daycare part-time, even though the daycare didn't really have a part-time option. I have no idea how you'd go about finding another family, but I just thought I'd put that out there as a potential option.

I personally think it would be worth it to take a part-time job if it's something you think would be fulfilling, even if you're not making much take-home money. I work FT and definitely enjoy the (relative) alone time and adult conversations during the day, and DD seems to enjoy playing with her friends at daycare.

[t]

I currently work part time and send DD to daycare (a center) three days per week. My center offers 2, 3, 4 days or a certain number of hours over the course of the week. It's been great for us. They also allowed me to send DD two days extra one week so I could go OOT.

[redpenmama]

You might also consider nanny sharing on those days -- i.e., jumping in with a friend/neighbor who already has a nanny. Might not be an option for you, but I know many friends who nanny share because it's cheaper than hiring a nanny for their child alone.

As for your situation, I could not talk myself into a job if I wasn't going to bring any money home. As fulfilling as it might be to get back into the working world and do something you love, I would also want some financial benefit, even if that wasn't the primary purpose of taking the job.

[everafter07]

Just from my experience: I work 2 days a week and do some freelance on the side. I personally wouldn't take a job where I'd break even with childcare. If it was a bit more than that, I'd consider it.

We have an in home provider that is 5 minutes from home that we all love. It's $60 a day, and DD gets some social interaction with other adults and kids.

[anna7602]

Mar 27, 2014 8:07:29 GMT -5 leonard131 said:

I also would pay to work because even though right now it might be a wash it helping to build your career for the future which may lead to more money and it is giving you the opportunity to do something you want to do and be fulfilled doing ( I am not saying SAH is not fulfilling).

This. I basically broke even before DD started preschool. Now I'm coming out ahead financially, but I wouldn't have the opportunities I currently have if I hadn't worked at all when DD was younger. That's just the world I am in, I know that every industry is different.

I also agree with ribollita that childcare comes out of the household budget. Childcare for DD meant DH could go to work as well.

Ultimately, though, it all comes down to the job itself and whether you find it fulfilling. I have had gigs that have been great and others that have made me miserable to give up my free time with my family.