Chaz Moms and Moms-to-Be Chat (everyone welcome)

[-bogart-]

I went to work at 6 months for Jacob and 8 weeks after the twins.

We do not have daycare though the boys went for 6 months or so when Jacob was 9months and Caleb was 3 to 4 ish. Right after I left that job and got a night job the daycare was stopped and we had a friend move into our home for room and board to watch the kids the days i slept.


My suggestion is always a nanny . We lucked out that My hubbys best friend needed a place and a job when we needed a nanny.

Now 10 years later , he still is the nanny , sleeps on the couch and we pay for his phone, he gets two weeks off a month and he will probably go back to the real world of job/his own place in a year or so.

 

[joce]

I think I can manage twelve weeks and dr said she would say I need it vs six weeks. My mom is retiring around december and she wants to babysit daily. I really think I will be fine but am shocked by some things people keep saying to me :yikes:

 

[CaliTerp07]

My suggestion is always a nanny . We lucked out that My hubbys best friend needed a place and a job when we needed a nanny.

Now 10 years later , he still is the nanny , sleeps on the couch and we pay for his phone, he gets two weeks off a month and he will probably go back to the real world of job/his own place in a year or so.

Nannies here cost significantly more than daycare (unless you are talking 3+ kids). They receive a full salary, vacation time, and health care. I am amazed at the craigslist ads I see for nannies! I could make more doing that than I do teaching, and nannies don't need a degree. Even the live in nannies get 3-400/week in addition to all food and rent/utilities paid for. Many even provide their nannies with cars. YIKES.

The only people I know who have made nannies work did a "nanny share" with friends or neighbors, so you'd still have 3-4 kids in the home, and split the cost accordingly. It's basically an in home day care at that point, but you know all the kids beforehand.

 

[-bogart-]

Nannies here cost significantly more than daycare (unless you are talking 3+ kids). They receive a full salary, vacation time, and health care. I am amazed at the craigslist ads I see for nannies! I could make more doing that than I do teaching, and nannies don't need a degree. Even the live in nannies get 3-400/week in addition to all food and rent/utilities paid for. Many even provide their nannies with cars. YIKES.

The only people I know who have made nannies work did a "nanny share" with friends or neighbors, so you'd still have 3-4 kids in the home, and split the cost accordingly. It's basically an in home day care at that point, but you know all the kids beforehand.

WELL , If you hired a real nanny , (read non friend whom needed a place to sleep) it runs about room , board and 100 to 200 a week. daycare is about 150 a week per child

 

[CaliTerp07]

WELL , If you hired a real nanny , (read non friend whom needed a place to sleep) it runs about room , board and 100 to 200 a week. daycare is about 150 a week per child

Interesting the price differences. Here, "cheap" in home daycare is 800/month, a "cheap" live in nanny is $1200/month, "cheap" live out nanny is $3k/month (plus the cost of health insurance for your nanny) and "cheap" center type day care is $2000/month.

Hence I have no children.

 

[Taqroy]

Interesting the price differences. Here, "cheap" in home daycare is 800/month, a "cheap" live in nanny is $1200/month, "cheap" live out nanny is $3k/month (plus the cost of health insurance for your nanny) and "cheap" center type day care is $2000/month.

Hence I have no children.

I can't believe how expensive it is where you are. We're paying 880/month for excellent in home daycare. And that's less expensive than the really poorly reviewed professional daycare near Matt's work.

 

[milos_mommy]

I know the cost of living where Cali lives is comparable to mine. I made around $400-500/wk as a nanny working part time live out.

 

[Grab]

WELL , If you hired a real nanny , (read non friend whom needed a place to sleep) it runs about room , board and 100 to 200 a week. daycare is about 150 a week per child

I think it varies by area. Here there are no nannies, but Clive's daycare is $72 a week for the 4 days he goes

 

[CaliTerp07]

There were two lines this morning.

I'm numb. This is not what I wanted. Everything will be fine, it will work out, but this is just not what I wanted at this point in life. WE HAD PLANS TO HIKE MACCHU PICCHU THIS WINTER.

 

[SpringerLover]

There were two lines this morning.

I'm numb. This is not what I wanted. Everything will be fine, it will work out, but this is just not what I wanted at this point in life. WE HAD PLANS TO HIKE MACCHU PICCHU THIS WINTER.

Uhm. You sound just like my friend who now has an almost 2 year old. I promise you'll probably like it someday. She called it an alien and a parasite until it was almost out.

Also not what she wanted. She does adore her son now though!

So... I'm sorry and congratulations?

 

[stardogs]

There were two lines this morning.

I'm numb. This is not what I wanted. Everything will be fine, it will work out, but this is just not what I wanted at this point in life. WE HAD PLANS TO HIKE MACCHU PICCHU THIS WINTER.

((((hugs)))) Just think of this as a new and different kind of adventure? Perhaps a bit scarier, but you'll still rock it. ((((more hugs))))

 

[-bogart-]

There were two lines this morning.

I'm numb. This is not what I wanted. Everything will be fine, it will work out, but this is just not what I wanted at this point in life. WE HAD PLANS TO HIKE MACCHU PICCHU THIS WINTER.

HUGS and breathe , it will work out , and go hike anyway , winter is close and you should be able to do it with an easy pregnancy. I think you will be a fantastic mom. and believe me , that is what the world needs.

 

[~Jessie~]

Congrats, Karen! Even though I can imagine how scary those 2 lines are, it's super exciting. Just think of it as a new life adventure

I know how you feel, though! My husband and I want kids eventually, but I'd ideally like to be at least 30 before it actually happens. I always worry about not being able to travel enough or do the things I want to do.

I know I'll be very excited if I get a positive pregnancy test, but it's not something I'd ideally want at this moment in my life. The thing about life is that there's really no such thing as an "ideal" time. There will always be another trip or another thing I want to do before kids... even when I'm 30, I won't feel like I've done "enough." Even at 40.

You and your husband are in a good place. Think about all the fun trips you'll be able to take with your child

 

[Dizzy]

Cor if I have kids I plan to take a YEAR off!!! Most people take around 6 months off.... 6 weeks sound insane!!

 

[milos_mommy]

Karen, how are you feeling? If it's any consolation, I had a couple of rough periods in pregnancy but was able to take 7+ mile hikes a few times. Traveling while pregnant didn't pose a problem for me.

 

[Grab]

There were two lines this morning.

I'm numb. This is not what I wanted. Everything will be fine, it will work out, but this is just not what I wanted at this point in life. WE HAD PLANS TO HIKE MACCHU PICCHU THIS WINTER.

I'm sorry it has come at a less than ideal time. You should still be able to travel and hike while pregnant though. (not sure if that helps)

 

[milos_mommy]

Karen, how are you feeling? If it's any consolation, I had a couple of rough periods in pregnancy but was able to take 7+ mile hikes a few times. Traveling while pregnant didn't pose a problem for me.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Thanks guys. It's going to feel fake until I go to the doctor in a few weeks, I think. Then maybe it will sink in.

Milo, I feel just fine. Tired, but I attributed that to jet lag from coming back from Hawaii last week. Tiny tiny little cramps, but barely noticeable. Nothing like when my cycle comes.

The fear with Macchu Picchu is altitude. I'd be 5.5-6 months at that point, and Cuzco is 11000 feet. I never had any intention of doing an intense physical hike (there's a train/bus you can take to avoid the hike), but just the lack of oxygen makes me think it's probably not the best plan. We'll see. I was researching the internet this morning finding blogs of people who went while pregnant, though generally 2-4 months along.

Guess I just have to find a really laid back OBGYN.

 

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

What about a midwife? Here at least, they're so much more laid back and don't treat pregnancy like it's an illness.

 

[CaliTerp07]

What about a midwife? Here at least, they're so much more laid back and don't treat pregnancy like it's an illness.

I know a lot of people go that route, but I will feel much more comfortable with a medical doctor in a hospital setting (with people who can prescribe lots and lots of drugs).