Juggling the cost of care with the pay of work
Mamas, we recently heard from an urbanMama who is trying to juggle the cost of childcare with the wages she'll bring in with a new job. Do you have any advice for her situation?
I started my first day of work today: $10/hr., 3 full days a week, and I have two kids that need daycare. Obviously, this will be hard to swing, but I have a provider who is willing to charge me $6/hr. for both of them.
However, she wants payment in advance, PLUS a deposit. At bare minimum, I must pay 75% of my monthly bill on the first day - 50% of this month's bill plus 25% of my deposit (which is equal to 1 month's bill). I will be making about $800/mo before taxes, and paying $650 of it to her for the next two months.
I know that $6/hr is a steal, but I feel very uncomfortable about the money upfront. For one - I don't HAVE that money. I'm just getting back into the workforce! I will have to borrow the first TWO payments from my parents - who don't have money either and will be paying interest on something they were intending to use this money to pay off - because my first paycheck will be for only 1 day of work, and I will have to wait another 2 weeks - 3 weeks total - to get a substantive paycheck. By then, I will have already had to pay the first $650.
I showed up for my first day of work today to learn that the other girl with whom I was sharing this job was JUST fired. They had "an issue." I know that a previous girl in my position was fired for being habitually late. I am worried that, as a mom who (of course) has difficulty getting places on time sometimes, I could easily lose this job - which pays so little to begin with - and end up owing my mom hundreds of dollars, having paid in advance for weeks of childcare that I do not need with money that I do need and cannot get back.
So, now, my employer also wants me to work more hours - 9-4, 5 days a week. Great, except that this means I will have to front even MORE money that I do not have for childcare, because more hours = larger monthly bill.
I don't know what to do. I feel like I shouldn't have to place a bet on my job - gamble hundreds of dollars in the hopes that it will all work out and eventually I will be in the black. At the same time, I understand that the daycare provider is a single mom trying to make ends meet who fears taking chances with late payments - she needs to make sure her own bills can be paid.
What do I do?
Oh, sweetie:
I was emailing about this just this week with the director of the the Child Care Improvement Project(CCIP). I was a parent on their advisory board years ago, and we had some heated discussions on this very topic.
I understand that family child care providers are dependent on fees and deposits to run their households, but I never could've afforded a prepaid deposit for childcare or payment of fees in advance. Luckily, my daughter has aged out of child care.
Anyway, email me at mendegirl@aol.com. I have some referrals for ya. I just found out about some subsidies last week. Meanwhile, find out if your provider is a member of a CCIP childcare network. They have access to some particular pots of childcare money around town.
I remember the days of paying child care and negotiating with the landlord to pay rent late, because my childcare provider was less lenient than my landlord. It sucks eggs.
Posted by: ProtestMama | October 04, 2008 at 10:14 PM
That does stink. I'm surprised about the babysitter expecting to get paid ahead of time. We pay our babysitter every two weeks AFTER she has worked...just like the rest of us get paid. I know that centers work differently, but they also make sure that you get the service you need even if your primary provider is absent. You pay up front and are guaranteed child care services for that time. When my babysitter calls in sick (which she does), I have to take a day off work, so I don't feel that I should have to pay for that. Unless it is your arrangement, why should you get stuck paying for time she doesn't provide? Doesn't sound like you can afford it and I know I can't.
About being late. Please, please, please do everything you can to not be late especially when you know that is an issue for your employer. We working moms have to work together to prove that we are reliable, hard-working professionals that just happen to have children. We can't expect preferential treatment from our employers just because we have families. If working moms are stereotyped as employees who are late, unprofessional, and uncaring about their work, then we all lose. Be on time and you will be promoted and making more money in a better job soon.
Posted by: KS | October 05, 2008 at 08:19 AM
I hope you have other sources of income because working for $10/hour pre-tax and paying $6/hour post tax, you are basically working to put them in childcare and evening out - earning zero $$. You might as well not work at all and stay with your children. This is a horrible and common situation for single mothers, who try to make ends meet. Your post doesn't say anything about having a partner/husband or welfare, so I hope you will look into getting some government assistance to pay the bills. I hope ProtestMama can put you in touch with some people who can provide some childcare funds. I'm also assuming your parents are either working too or are not in the area so they can't babysit for free? Good luck and hang in there!
Posted by: WM | October 05, 2008 at 10:27 AM
At a child care center or family child care home, you are purchasing services from a business entity so they set the rules.
It's different than a babysitter or nanny, that's more of an employer-employee relationship.
While, we're looking at family-friendly policies in the worplace, we don't them yet. Single parents at the lower end of the economic scale are held to a higher standard than most other workers. It's not a surprise that the less you get paid, the worse working conditions are.
My advice to any single mama is to find back-up care (a friend). Because kids get sick, providers have emergencies. Many providers have some pretty draconian sick child policies. I read a book called "Single Mamahood" which was more geared to African American moms but it is spot on about the expectations of single moms in the workplace. Some things were hard to read, but it's the work world as it IS not how we want it to be.
Posted by: ProtestMama | October 05, 2008 at 02:29 PM
I think I remember a post here a few months back about a program that helps defer the cost of childcare for people earning below a certain level. I'm pretty sure you would qualify. I'll see if I can find the link here. If not, does anyone else remeber it? I feel for you....it seems like you'll be putting your children in full time care for basically no take home pay.
Posted by: Rosanne | October 05, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Ok...here's the link. It looks pretty promising...
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/childcare/qualify.shtml
Good luck to you!
Posted by: Rosanne | October 05, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Oh, dear! $800 pre-tax with $650 going to a daycare--you are basically PAYING for the privilege of working for someone. Is all the hassle of getting the kids ready, driving them to a new place, getting yourself ready for work, facing customers/being on your feet all day, finding transportation, picking up your kids at the end of the day with aching feet and making dinner...is that worth under $100 a month to you? It just sounds like it will drag you down. And when Mama is tired and not getting ahead, your kids always feel it too. You could make $100 a month by babysitting someone else's kids a few hours a week, or by doing a very, very, very part-time venture from home (Mary Kay? Avon??). In my opinion, as a fellow mom of very low income, it would not be worth it. I can also save $100 a month by juggling my food budget, etc. Best of luck as you try to figure this out.
Posted by: Chambu | October 05, 2008 at 11:22 PM
This isn't exactly on point, but I wonder if you are in any position at all to get out of this job gracefully and find something else, if at all possible. These people have already fired two women in the position you are taking. This does not bode well, even if you are a great employee and those two were the worst. First, you don't want to go through life trying to explain being fired from a job, even if it had little or nothing to do with you. Second, you don't want to work for people who have you afraid of being fired before you even start. I say this knowing that with the wage/childcare situation you describe, you may not have any ability to maneuver. It's just that there are some red flags waving...
Posted by: anon | October 06, 2008 at 01:14 AM
An FYI from the DHS childcare page: DHS requires you to be up to date on the state required immunizations to be eligible for child care assistance. Since I don't immunize our children, we won't qualify even though our income certainly puts us in that bracket. This may or not pertain to you, I don't know what your perspective or situation is regarding immunizations.
Posted by: stormgirl | October 06, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Beyond childcare, there are also usually other expenses associated with working, including transportation to and from work, transportation to and from the babysitters, work-appropriate clothing, more convenience food, etc. With those factors included, it seems you will be lucky to break even, financially. You have probably already considered these issues--perhaps the job is worth it to you for reasons other than the money--ie, opportunities for future advancement/opportunities?
Posted by: Camellia | October 06, 2008 at 11:30 AM
This situation stinks. Both the job being so low wage, and having to front the money for childcare. If I were in your situation and had another income in my home, I would not think this was worthwhile to pursue this particular job. At $10/hr it would have to be my life's DREAM job to get $10/hr pre tax, and pay $6/hr after tax to work there.
If you have any other options, I would consider looking for another job asap. Or trying to make it through until your kids are in school before working. It doesn't sound promising that the other people working there have been let-go for lateness, as things happen, especially as a mom!!!
I wish you much luck in this situation and hope it works out for you!!!
Posted by: Laura | October 06, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Ugh--so sorry. I haven't got any words of wisdom, just sympathy. Am basically in the same boat: preschool, $350/month; work, $0 to $500/month post-tax, and, for some really bizarre, anomalous reasons, don't qualify for much more than WIC. It's crazy-making. Hang in there!
Posted by: Mama C | October 06, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I agree with all comments here. The one thing I can add is that it might be better for you (financially and stress-wise, for starters) to take the $ that you would pay childcare upfront for, and use it to learn a skill you can do out of your own home. This way you will not be dependent upon your employer nor your childcare provider, and you can make as much $ as you put your mind/skills/time to. It's still tricky of course - I don't know whether your kids' naps (if) are coordinated, whether they are content to play alone etc, but it is a routine that could be worked out just as easily as the one you're taking on.
As for skills, I'd look at what you're already good at and enjoy, and go from there. Be creative, and don't think people won't pay for it. I know I personally would pay a small amount to someone who can sew wool into longies (baby pants/diaper covers), someone who would bring a meal to us, and someone who doesn't mind cleaning/organizing. Disclaimer: I've got a 3 month old and barely time for sleep/self! I'm sure a lot of mamas could give ideas of what they'd pay for if asked. But $4/hour (b/c you wouldn't need childcare) sounds excellent to me for these things, and I'd pay for 8 hours/week off the bat.
If it's time away from kids you mostly need, you could do a sort of mom-trade, or rather kids-trade, and still manage to pull in the same amount of $ by being self-employed as you would be with your current job.
Good luck. I hope we hear an update.
Posted by: L | October 06, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Just a note to say that you are not alone ... I was just laid off, and trying to put all the pieces together is so hard. I hope that this job can be a stepping stone for you, and that's why you're taking it. You might also consider going back to school and taking out as many loans and grants as possible to fund it?
Good luck - and don't be shy about reaching out to your community.
Posted by: Amy | October 06, 2008 at 10:49 PM
I was leaving the site and saw this. One I want to say good job to the gal who posted this for being brave enough to speakup! Two, its fansatic to see other Moms giving ideas and support.
I was dumped on my bum (literally) 5 months ago, my ex took all the money, left me with all the bills and a 20 month old. Its been a slow process picking up the pieces but its possible. I got creative!
I got a roommate, started a nanny share 2 days a week, and slowly found a part time job. Im also a full time student and that was a goal I refused to give up! Im making it work, its tight but we're moving forward.
I do get some help from DHS, they are tricky to work with! But go in and ask questions, (be patient) the worst that will happen is they will say no! Oregon helps is a new site that you can do from home or work and plug in info, it will help you find out what things you qualify for!
Also I wrote a post at my new job about childcare solutins: http://current.pic.tv/2008/10/07/penny-saving-childcare-ideas/#comments. Some of those ideas might be helpful to you!
Posted by: AJ McCreary | October 07, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Hi! Just a suggestion, I'm not sure if it's already been mentioned- could you try something like childcare from your home for another family, an arrangement that would allow you to be with your children and earn a good income at the same time? I'm sorry to hear that you're in such a pinch, good luck to you! I would also like to know what you end up choosing to do.
Posted by: smrh | October 08, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Childcare is probably the easiest thing to get started in if you have a living situation that supports it. And, you really should apply for services like foodstamps and Oregon Health Plan--it sounds like you should qualify. The difficult and nice thing about being self-employed is that you get to use your expenses (rent, gas, electricity) as a business expense. I've been doing childcare and last year I didn't pay any taxes, and I was home with my children.
But, if you do go with an outside job, find a more sympathetic childcare person. Go on Craigslist or the multnomah county referral website (http://www.oregonchildcare.net/findcc/prov_search.htm), there are lots of openings. Just yesterday I found 4 that look interesting and are within my area (I'm giving up childcare and looking at juggling childcare costs myself!). First do a phone screening, ask the important questions (rates, noTV?, food, etc) and then go visit to see if the person is kind and supportive.
Good luck! And if you do decide to do childcare yourself there are lots of people out there to give you support and advice as you get started.
Posted by: capella | October 09, 2008 at 02:30 PM