I don't want to be doing this, but in reality I have to look at all options...
I guess what I want to know is those of you with 2 (or more) kids in daycare and working ultimately is it worth it? Are you that much better off that missing out on your kids during the day is ok? I don't mean to come across nastily or anything like that it's just I am really struggling with the thought of someone else raising my kids while I have to go to work. I'm in tears because all I've ever wanted is to be a SAHM and because of my selfish DP now I have to go back to work. We are barely making it through the week. We have no savings and are struggling with stupid bills.
Anyway... Do you feel that you are significantly better off, or is it only a little bit (financially speaking)?
I used the estimator on centrelinks website and if I lower DP's estimate to his actual income and then factor in my income the CCB will be roughly the same as it is now. Which means we'd have to find $300 a week in childcare. Thing is I would probably only be earning around $400-450 a week if I can get the job I want. But then theres that other tax rebate thingo for Child Care right? and that's paid quaterly???
you would get the rebate quarterly - so half your cc fees each quarter rebated - but there is a lot more to consider than just the money you outlay.
i can't say whether it will or won't benefit you - i have gone back to work 2 days a week, and factoring in tax, the loss of fttb, travel etc, i'm really no better off. it's cruddy, but that's how it is. i am fortunate that i don't have to fork out for child care or we would actually be worse off than we are at the moment. i'm ONLY back at work to keep my position for when DD is at school - or to increase my hours if DH's work dries up again given he is only casual labourer at the moment
factor all things in and think it through pretty seriously. if you're going to only gain 100 in your pocket each week (cos lets face it, that rebate quarterly isn't going to help you NOW), is it really worth the stress and heartache?
wish i could suggest ways to help your DP see that - it's hard when money becomes an issue in your relationship. i'm living it at the moment and i hate it!
I think we were about $60 a week better off between me working 3 days and having the kids in care for that time. So I went down to one day a week, and it was about the same since my income had gone down, my FTB went up and I only paid $90 for that one day of child care (And then got $45 a week back with the rebate came in quarterly - which we would use to pay advance payments at the daycare)
With having 3 children - no way would it be advantageous for me to go back to work, so thats why I stay at home.
But with 2 children, working one day a week, it was slightly better.
Have you thought about doing night or weekend work. I did this after DS1 was born it ment everything i earnt was mine and DS didn't have to go into child care.
I worked at a supermarket, wasn't the most rewarding job but the $$ wasn't to bad and the hours were perfect for me. Just 6 hours 1 night a week and 7 on a Sunday (double pay) I started early Sunday so was home for lunch.
Sally, everyone's situation is different and I think in your case you'd be wise to listen to BG. If you find you're only marginally better off then perhaps it's worth putting it to DP that he needs to grow up? Having a kid in CC is more than just the money. There's also the sick factor. I really like the CC centre my DDs go to. Natalie has been going there for nearly 2 years and she's now so fond of the place and the teachers. However, being around that many kids that often means a lot of sickness.
I was fortunate when I went back to work to find a job where my employers were VERY supportive of my family commitments. They didn't have any problems with me taking days off when Natty got sick. And it happened a lot. The new job I've started is slightly more stressful because if one of my kids is sick I can't just ring up and say I'm not coming. I need to arrange for someone to cover me.
It's worth considering.
FWIW, in our case it is a given that I have to work. DH owns his business and we are still paying off a CRAPLOAD of debt. However the repayments come from the business so it looks to the govt that we earn a heck of a lot more than we get in our hands, so unless we find a way to live on DH's small salary alone, I have to work.
On the other hand, it's important to note that I enjoy working. I enjoy getting out of the house and I find that I enjoy my time with the girls that much more than before. My girls are being looked after in CC but also by their grandparents and they're all enjoying that too.
I hope I haven't just confused things more for you. Just wanted to open up a couple more factors than just the cash.
Hope you come to a resolution you are happy with soon, mate. xx
I can't work weekends or nights because DP doesn't work set hours himself. He's a farmhand which means at the moment he is working midnight till midday, sometimes 7am till 7pm and sometimes weekends. Which is why if I return to work the kids go into daycare. Brendan already goes one day a week now (paed's orders) so I'm well aware of what goes on.
DP is the biggest issue, he won't budge on ANYTHING and his family SUPPORT that! I have cut down my internet and phone bill, which are my only bills. I have swapped food choices and buy cheaper branded things and we don't get treats as often as we used to. I've cut down on power usage in the past 6 months which hasn't helped with our power bill being increased anyway... goes up another 16-17% in July There is nothing else I can do... it's all up to him now and he just won't budge. Foxtel is currently in my name so I will be reducing that to the basic package anyway and as soon as the contract is up it's going (July). But I can't control the other things. He has a motorbike and a Ute which we are currently forking out around $1000 a month in loan payments for, and then he wants to ride his bike which costs us more. He just doesn't get that we have no money right now. I have $50 to last me till next pay which is about the 10th of May. That $50 is for food shopping because that's all we had left after paying some bills. I don't know what else I can do but go back to work and hope to make ends meet
I really wanted to see out this year because Brendan will be in kindy next year.
Going back to work... is it worth it?
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I have cut down my internet and phone bill, which are my only bills. I have swapped food choices and buy cheaper branded things and we don't get treats as often as we used to. I've cut down on power usage in the past 6 months which hasn't helped with our power bill being increased anyway... goes up another 16-17% in July 
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