Post by farfalla2011 on Mar 30, 2020 8:34:16 GMT -5
I know this topic has been discussed to death, but I need help talking this out. Sorry I'm rambling a bit (or maybe a lot).
Daycares are still open in my area as they've been deemed essential. Last week, I kept L (6.5 months) home since he woke up with a fever Sunday, dr on Monday and dx with an ear infection. The first day I could have taken him back was Thursday due to having a fever until Wednesday morning, mostly to rule out anything else going on. Daycare has implemented lots of precautions in light of all that is going on. Our area is under a stay at home orders at least through April 13th, but I'd guess it'll go longer. I'm 100% WFH and have no idea when that is supposed to change since our office building is officially closed due to someone coming onsite suspected of having the virus. No word yet on when it'll open back up and frankly, I would love to move to 100% WFH regardless of the current situation. H goes to and from work every day since he's unable to work remotely and is in an essential industry/role. As it stands right now, his job is stable thankfully.
I think that's all the back story? I'm in the travel industry and there's a high probability of getting a large (30%) pay cut, or getting laid off. Last week was difficult as I'm sure you guys all understand WFH and taking care of a child/children. This week will be even worse since I'm an accountant and we're closing our books for the quarter. Part of me is considering taking him to daycare since they're operating, he's an infant, so they don't play like toddlers and up, so maybe less exposed to germs compared to older kids, in order to get my work done this week. However, keeping him home, I'm conflicted in continuing to pay so much money for care we're not using for an undetermined amount of time, especially knowing cash flow may ultimately change drastically in the near future. I'm scared to withdraw him because I have no idea how long a waiting list will be either at the same center or elsewhere when we need care again. To put the cash part into perspective, my potential pay cut is more than his monthly daycare bill. Also, if we withdraw him, I get laid off and find a new job I have no idea what I'd do with him when I would go back to work. And, I've been working with an old boss that is interested in hiring me at her new company. It was originally supposed to be April/May timeframe, but obviously I'm sure that timeline is a bit different now, but it's in a more stable industry.
So, my questions that I'm conflicted about.
Would you take him to daycare this week?
If you decided to keep him home until this all blows over, whenever that may be, would you withdraw him to save the cash now?
I'd also be interested in any thoughts you guys have considering the whole situation.
I wouldn't take him to daycare and I would withdraw. I'm several years out from needing daycare but I remember that it's easier said than done, so I understand the conflict.
I would not take him. You're not deemed essential and daycare should really only be used by essential employees. Also--because your H is still going to work your kid would be bringing a lot of germs to daycare which is not really fair to the kids of essential employees.
I know working at home is really terrible with kids, but we're all in that boat right now.
I don't know if I'd withdraw or not. That seems like a personal decision based on how hard daycares are to find in your area, but FWIW I'm an accountant too and thankfully even if you do get laid off accounting jobs are relatively easy to find so hopefully unemployment wouldn't be too bad. As opposed to other industries that really suck in regards to unemployment.
I wouldn’t send him either. I know it’s next to impossible but I just wouldn’t risk it right now. I guess as far as withdrawing, I’d keep paying until/unless you lose your job.
I’m also an accountant and agree that you could likely find another job if necessary pretty easily in comparison to other industries.
I also felt conflicted while our daycare was still open.
I've been WFH since 3/16 just out of my own precaution. We sent DDs to daycare that day, but they notified us that night that they were closing effective 3/18 through 3/27. We kept them home 3/17 and onward, and then our state announced that daycares must close effective 4/1, so no one really has a choice anymore. It SUCKS, but I'm happy that the decision was made for me.
I think I'd keep him home for now and try to do your work during naps and after bedtime or in the evening or weekends when DH could watch him. I know some people have no choice and I feel bad saying that when people in professions like healthcare and grocery are still sending kids to daycare, but this situation really scares me.
I personally probably wouldn't withdraw because I really love our dc!
I'm sorry that my answer is that I wouldn't send him. I know what that means for you, and I'm sorry we all find ourselves here. I'd probably pay to hold his spot, until you can't afford to do so anymore.
Post by sunflower17 on Mar 30, 2020 9:54:43 GMT -5
If you’re concerned with losing the daycare spot, then keep paying and don’t send. I wish I could save the money I’m spending on daycare and not sending her, but I’m gonna need her to go back within the next couple months
i pulled my daughter but we paid 50% to them. I just gave my notice today to unenroll because my DH got laid off and will be out of work for several months, so we cant pay them if hes not working and hes home.
I would keep your baby at home. Ask to pay 50% or unenroll if you arent worried about a spot.
Post by chocolatepie on Mar 30, 2020 10:31:04 GMT -5
I would not take him. I feel really strongly that child care centers should be available but that only essential employees, who have no other choice, utilize them. I think that's the only way we have a chance of keeping child care centers even open, to be honest. If they become a source of spread, due to the overuse of them, they will all be shut down and I fear our health care providers will be forced to stay home. I'm surprised your center isn't requiring proof from both parents that you are essential and cannot work from home. The center I oversee is now doing that.
I pulled mine (age 5 months), even before centers went essential only, and continue to pay her because she deserves to make a living too. If we aren't taking a paycut (yet...), we are able to support her business. If one of us lost our job or a significant pay cut, that would change things.