Time or Money???

[Crazy8]

Need to make some decisions on taking new kids, possibly terming some, etc. and I'm in this predicament now....

If I term a family and take a new p/t one I will lose about $140 a week - BUT I will get to close a half hour earlier every day (therefore gaining 2.5 hrs. a week for my family, yay!). It will also free up some days for possible part time spots, so have the potential to make up at least some of that $140 is there, I just don't have anyone lined up for that right now.

The money I will make without the $140/week is totally livable - obviously not as good as if I was making it though. Gaining that half hour at the end of the day was a dream of mine for the last year, but now that I'm faced with having to term this family to get it I am not sure I should do it. DH says its up to me. So I find I need to decide between time and money (and the uncertainty of taking a new family vs. a family I know).

WWYD???

[Blackcat31]

Time.

Money is NOTHING compared to the TIME we have to spend with our families and/or not working.

When I first opened, it was all about the money. I am older now (and I'd like to think wiser ) and since my kids are grown and I am an empty nester, I now see the REAL value in time.

You can always make up for money but you can never make up for time.

[butterfly]

what about talking to this family to see if they can pick up a 1/2 hour earlier and keep them on. You'd get off earlier and not take a $140 pay decrease....

[melilley]

I agree, take the time over money, especially if you don't HAVE to have the money from the family! Plus like you said, you could always look for two part timer to fill the money gap some. Personally I would have a really hard time terming someone, but that's just me, I'm a chicken and feel bad for everyone

I actually will only take up to 3 full time kids plus my own 1 yr ds and then the other 2 spots are part time. I make a little more with the two part timers than I do with one full time so it is worth it to me, plus I only HAVE to have 3 full time kids to be comfortable financially. Sure the money helps, but if you don't HAVE to have it, family time is more important.
Good luck!

[laundrymom]

I'd pick money if it was only for 30
Min.

[Crazy8]

what about talking to this family to see if they can pick up a 1/2 hour earlier and keep them on. You'd get off earlier and not take a $140 pay decrease....

yes, that would be perfect but was already ruled out as an option. They are a family who actually rushes from work to get here for my current (later) closing time.

[butterfly]

yes, that would be perfect but was already ruled out as an option. They are a family who actually rushes from work to get here for my current (later) closing time.

How long until they "age out"? I just might put up with it for a while if they were going to be aging out soon....

But definitely time wins over money!!

[Crazy8]

How long until they "age out"? I just might put up with it for a while if they were going to be aging out soon....

But definitely time wins over money!!

LOL, that was actually my plan till mom came in a while back and told me they were expecting again. I have NEVER termed anyone for anything like this either! 30 min. may not seem like a lot but when its that half hour that will make homework, dinner and getting to all our sports practices so much calmer it feels worth it (I am doing the half hour earlier closing for summer because everyone is on leaves, off for summer, etc.).

[littlemissmuffet]

I always, without fail will choose TIME!

I am down to just 2 DCKs and financially we are stretched very thin... I could have filled back up 10 times over in the last month if I would extend my hours but it's not at all worth it to me. The right families (with the right hours) will come along eventually.

[Familycare71]

$140 per week is pretty good pay for 2.5 hours of extra work. I do hear what everyone else is saying and not long ago would agree- BUT what of you lose a diff family and that $140 means more all of the sudden? I have learned the past year or two to take the $ while it is there... Ya just never know when someone will have to end care.
Also would you have to go back to the later time for most families should you lose one? If you would then I really wouldn't term.
So I guess I understand if you did chose to do it but think of all the down sides first- $140 a week could also make for a nice week vacation once per year too...

[Crazy8]

$140 per week is pretty good pay for 2.5 hours of extra work. I do hear what everyone else is saying and not long ago would agree- BUT what of you lose a diff family and that $140 means more all of the sudden? I have learned the past year or two to take the $ while it is there... Ya just never know when someone will have to end care.
Also would you have to go back to the later time for most families should you lose one? If you would then I really wouldn't term.
So I guess I understand if you did chose to do it but think of all the down sides first- $140 a week could also make for a nice week vacation once per year too...

exactly the reason I am asking the question. of course I can find reasons to go either way, LOL. I am soooo torn on what to do.

FWIW, $140 is about 15% of my weekly income. I survive on about 50% of my usual income during the summers so while I know nothing is ever a guarantee and some years I thought I'd have to close up and get another job things always seem to have a way of working out and next thing I know I'm full again.

Whether I'd have to eventually go back to the later closing time has also entered my mind, but I do get some that look for the time I am targeting (of course I get some that want 2 hours more too!). Right now I have 4 families who have always been contracted for the earlier time so its not like I'm even asking them to change anything.

[Familycare71]

exactly the reason I am asking the question. of course I can find reasons to go either way, LOL. I am soooo torn on what to do.

FWIW, $140 is about 15% of my weekly income. I survive on about 50% of my usual income during the summers so while I know nothing is ever a guarantee and some years I thought I'd have to close up and get another job things always seem to have a way of working out and next thing I know I'm full again.

Whether I'd have to eventually go back to the later closing time has also entered my mind, but I do get some that look for the time I am targeting (of course I get some that want 2 hours more too!). Right now I have 4 families who have always been contracted for the earlier time so its not like I'm even asking them to change anything.

So your saying I wasn't much help!?::
If you really don't need the $ then go for it!!!
I have three of my own and def understand how much "time" a half hour can give!! .

[Crazy8]

So your saying I wasn't much help!?::
If you really don't need the $ then go for it!!!
I have three of my own and def understand how much "time" a half hour can give!! .

LOL! No, you are definitely a help! I see both sides of it and while I posed it an easy "time vs money" question there really is so much to consider. Tonight my DH brought up a good point about who will be here next summer, etc. - I get too confused looking that far ahead but maybe keeping the higher income/later family is the better choice but then I get an email on someone interested in a p/t spot that would make up more than half of that $140 and I think yes, term them and gain that half hour. It is really such a hard decision for me and I appreciate all the input!!

[Familycare71]

LOL! No, you are definitely a help! I see both sides of it and while I posed it an easy "time vs money" question there really is so much to consider. Tonight my DH brought up a good point about who will be here next summer, etc. - I get too confused looking that far ahead but maybe keeping the higher income/later family is the better choice but then I get an email on someone interested in a p/t spot that would make up more than half of that $140 and I think yes, term them and gain that half hour. It is really such a hard decision for me and I appreciate all the input!!

Well if that wasn't a sign I am not sure what is!!
Enjoy your half an hour!! It will be awesome

[DaisyMamma]

Time.

Money is NOTHING compared to the TIME we have to spend with our families and/or not working.

When I first opened, it was all about the money. I am older now (and I'd like to think wiser ) and since my kids are grown and I am an empty nester, I now see the REAL value in time.

You can always make up for money but you can never make up for time.

Really well said.
Especially if you have kids of your own. I say do it.
I just lost two Ft families because im now closed two days a week, but my Dd is 4 and will go to K next year, so i don't care about the cost. I will never get this time back.

And I cant "afford" to do it. I will likely lose my car and we have to make major cut backs. I couldnt be happier though!