The Price of Childcare Today

In home day care we are paying 200 a week for our 18 month old. In Gaithersburg, my wife and I pay what works out to ~$70/day 4 days a week for our 8 month old to go to a DOE accredited day care center. We're trying to find estimates for kids < 5 years …

The Throwing Your Own Taboo

Some people find it offensive because it's a party literally to shower the new mother with gifts so throwing your own party is asking for gifts. This is my second so I don't really need too much. but I don't have anyone who could/would throw me a shower anyway. Life is too short and sweet …

Sharing A Nanny

This is an alternative that we have thought about in the past. But are more serious about now. Nannies are great. You get that one-on-one care for your child and it is just, more personal. Essentially 2 families share a nanny but pay less each but the nanny makes more in the end. I'm at …

Weighing the Costs

Does daycare make sense? I had to answer this question. And the obvious point where it costs more to pay for daycare than you make while your kids are in daycare. This is a shocker, at least it was for me. I don't know if kids raised in daycare turn out any better or worse …

My Babysitter Considerations

You don't really need to tell them that you don't intend to keep him there longer than 16 weeks. Also, if Care is requiring a minimum hourly pay, listing your real pay range in your advertisement, as I have sometimes seen, is a good way to screen out time-wasters. Also, just tossing this out there: …

And In Other Places

I have posted about the cost of daycare here, and I feel like I get quality for a acceptable price... But... Then I see what other countries have. Take Sweden for example. I don't remember the exact cost of the daycare, we are starting next autumn but it's pretty similar system with Sweden where guardians …

Home and Away

While our new house would be a great venue for my baby shower, I think having it in our old city makes the most sense. I haven't been to a lot of baby showers but I think hosting at your own house is totally fine. Does anyone else feel really weird about having other friends …

Deciding Whether or Not To Have a Baby Shower

It's our second child. I think we might have a little sprinkle - I also graduated with my associates degree and will be getting married at the courthouse in a few months. Do we plan a baby shower? I'm pregnant with child #2. And it sounds more appropriate if we decide to do something. No …

Gifts Go Both Ways

When my friend hosted my baby shower I got her a nice bottle of wine and a nice card to thank her for her generosity. Is it common to get a host gift for a baby shower? I gave my hosts a bottle of wine, cute coffee mug, thank you card, and gift card in …

Religious Daycare Center

My friends think that a religious daycare center will justspend the day preaching to the children. But really, daycare centers in religious institutions or otherwise religious daycare centers don't waste the day talking up religion. Obviously I am biased, and I don't know your specific concerns with having your child in a religious day care …