It's crazy to see how daycare prices vary over the country.

We're located in north/central CA, my SIL lives two hours south of us pays $1150/month. I think it was $1250/month when he was under 1.

In home care does seem to be quite a bit cheaper. My co-worker used someone who was $4/hr, however she was a family friend.

I really hope my dad will be willing to watch our little one one day a week which would cut down to $624/month.

Wait until you see preschool costs. One preschool we were looking at was close to $800 a month for three MORNINGS a week. Most of them are around $400 for 9-11:30 two days a week which I still think is INSANE. I cannot imagine spending that much money while being a stay at home mom but I guess thats just what things cost.... I also chose to stay home mostly because we really wanted our daughter to be with one of us and not at daycare but also because it felt so silly to send her off all day just so I could work basically to continue sending her there ya know?

Oh I agree kristinkay.........I wish I could afford to stay home because I am going to basically have to work to pay for daycare and for insurance, which totally sucks.

Oh I know all about the preschool costs in my area...sheesh!  Which is why I'm practically begging my in laws and parents to help with the LO while he's very young (NB-3) as we save up for pre-K and up. 

that surprising that your preschool cost more than daycare. Here it's about $175 less a month for preschool.

Yes KK...we agree its more important for me to stay with her....at least thru the few years...and it makes zero sense to me to spend all the money I would make at work to keep her in daycare...why would I do that?!

I have no idea what daycare costs are here so it might be less expensive but I was just shocked at how expensive it is when it's not full time at all. I would imagine the far majority of the kids in preschools that only go two or three days a week and are only there until noonish go home to a stay at home parent so the fact that people are paying $800 a month when they are home blows my mind. But most of the places we looked at were only preschool and not daycare at all- so I would bet all the teachers are trained in whatever method and so forth- that might make a difference. The school where we do our parent child class is $685 for three mornings a week. Which I still feel is so much! I would love to send her there because it's an amazing school but I just can't imagine close to 7K a year for preschool!!!!

Yes it does depend on where you live, with my first who didnt start daycare until she was 15 months my mom watched her before that it was around $150 a week for  her and she is going to be 14 (so i cant imagine the cost now but we were still living in NY at that time). Be sure to do your research and like one of the other women stated look into home daycare centers as well.

Yes it does depend on where you live, with my first who didnt start daycare until she was 15 months my mom watched her before that it was around $150 a week for  her and she is going to be 14 (so i cant imagine the cost now but we were still living in NY at that time). Be sure to do your research and like one of the other women stated look into home daycare centers as well.

omg those prices are crazy!! I thought paying 100-150 a week (for 3 days) was a lot. But I am lucky that my full time job is only three days a week- and thats if I don't pick up weekends. Other wise its only two days.

We haven't found someone or a place yet. Im dreading it. I don't want to leave him already!!

It will all work out! Life changes so much in ways I don't think we thought- but its all worth it and thats what you have to remember!