"Daycare Costs Are Outrageous!" How Do You Respond??

[e.j.]

I just had that conversation with a parent yesterday. Day care really is expensive in this area and for parents who are making minimum wage and/or have more than one kid, it can be a budget killer so I acknowledge that.

I usually say, "I know! It really is expensive, isn't it? My oldest child was in day care until I had my second child. I decided that I would be working just to pay for day care so instead, I decided to open my own day care business. Maybe that would be an option for you? You'll never get rich doing it but you get to be home with your kids and still bring in an income. I'll warn you, though.... for the person paying for day care, it feels really pricey. For the person providing the care and relying on the money for income, it doesn't seem like it's nearly enough!" Usually, the parent shrugs and says something like, "I guess you're right! Plus, I could never do what you do!" I've never had a parent complain twice.

[PitterPatter]

It always just floors me when people complain to me about the cost of child care! I make a decent living at it, but let's face it! I figured up my hourly pay once and promised myself I'd never do it again because it is very discouraging! Ha!! Most of us aren't in it for the $!
My gut instinct is to say something like: "Well, what do you pay for your car a month? Is your child at least worth that??" Buuuut, I try to avoid confrontation. I usually just kind of smile and nod and wonder how on earth someone can say that to ME?
How do you respond? I need a clever response to get my point accross that doesn't sound hateful and defensive. My husband once came to my defense during a conversation and said, "Well. It's like anything. You get what you pay for."

I never know how to respond in a witty way. I just tell them that the state pays the lowest rate at $20 per day so that is what I follow. I would love to say well I can give u a discounted rate but that will include discount care for your child. Shame is some parents would probably take me up on it. Lord knows I would never treat a child any other way tho. I get literally laughed at when I even try to charge for a holiday off so I never even got that.

[countrymom]

nothing beats the crazy lady that when I told her that I charge 30 dollars a day and she says "wow thats expensive, can you charge me 27 dollars a day so I can buy some smokes" omg I just about died laughing.

[Koukla]

nothing beats the crazy lady that when I told her that I charge 30 dollars a day and she says "wow thats expensive, can you charge me 27 dollars a day so I can buy some smokes" omg I just about died laughing.

omg no she didn't.
I jus tsay yes it is and i as well had that full time job away from home and when i had my little one that this was the best option for me because of how much it is. I then say that maybe they want to look into it but just so you know you have to blah blah blah and go through all the training and paper work you have to do on top of having people in and out of your house all day. They norm. gooh no way I could not do that. I dont know how you do it. then run waith their tail between their legs

[Former Teacher]

I would tell all the men and women who complain that the only way to avoid high daycare costs is to keep their legs closed and pants zipped up.

[cheerfuldom]

I just agree and say "kids are expensive. imagine how much money I could be making if I wasn't working in childcare. You know how many kids I take care of and what I charge per day so feel free to do the math. We could trade jobs and you could be making barely minimum wage just like me" yes I have said that

[youretooloud]

:: to a guy that sounds like "lamb waiting for slaughter".

He was. She commonly referred to him as "Sperm donor", even though they were married.

[learn-n-grow]

nothing beats the crazy lady that when I told her that I charge 30 dollars a day and she says "wow thats expensive, can you charge me 27 dollars a day so I can buy some smokes" omg I just about died laughing.

that really bothers me! You can pay for cigarettes on the regular basis but you complain about childcare prices. If you really needed to save money, you would kick that smoking habit and save whatever you are spending on cigarettes.

[blessedmess8]

I just had that conversation with a parent yesterday. Day care really is expensive in this area and for parents who are making minimum wage and/or have more than one kid, it can be a budget killer so I acknowledge that.

I usually say, "I know! It really is expensive, isn't it? My oldest child was in day care until I had my second child. I decided that I would be working just to pay for day care so instead, I decided to open my own day care business. Maybe that would be an option for you? You'll never get rich doing it but you get to be home with your kids and still bring in an income. I'll warn you, though.... for the person paying for day care, it feels really pricey. For the person providing the care and relying on the money for income, it doesn't seem like it's nearly enough!" Usually, the parent shrugs and says something like, "I guess you're right! Plus, I could never do what you do!" I've never had a parent complain twice.

This is actually usually about how I respond. I've been in the "working parent" position and daycare is a big expense! But, quality care is worth it!!!

[Kaddidle Care]

I just had that conversation with a parent yesterday. Day care really is expensive in this area and for parents who are making minimum wage and/or have more than one kid, it can be a budget killer so I acknowledge that.

If they are putting their child in Daycare and only bringing in minimum wage then they've got rocks for brains.

[e.j.]

If they are putting their child in Daycare and only bringing in minimum wage then they've got rocks for brains.

Could be. I think some do it, though, because they realize it's for a relatively short time period until the kids go off to school and they want to keep working to maintain job skills and maybe advance in their jobs vs. having to start over once the kids are older. Others just want the break from their kids no matter what the cost.

[mac60]

If they are putting their child in Daycare and only bringing in minimum wage then they've got rocks for brains.

Most intelligent people will look beyond the 5 years to the day they put their child in school. It can be very very hard to get back into a profession, once you are gone for a few years, not only that you loose all benefits, vacation pay,etc. Plus you start at the bottom again. And seriously, minimum wage will bring in a paycheck, and to some people, having that $200 left over after paying a provider $85 (in our area) is a Godsend, especially in this economy.

[Ariana]

I just got this comment on Friday and came in here to post about it

The DCM always complains about how her job pays her "peanuts". So on Friday she says it yet again and goes "Do you know they only pay me $18 an hour....and half that goes to daycare"!!!!!! Seriously??? How rude is that. I felt like saying to her "do you know how much you pay me?? $5 an hour so stick it where the sun don't shine"

[Kaddidle Care]

Most intelligent people will look beyond the 5 years to the day they put their child in school. It can be very very hard to get back into a profession, once you are gone for a few years, not only that you loose all benefits, vacation pay,etc. Plus you start at the bottom again. And seriously, minimum wage will bring in a paycheck, and to some people, having that $200 left over after paying a provider $85 (in our area) is a Godsend, especially in this economy.

OK - let me put this in black and white for you - and I'll go easy on the costs.

$290.00 Gross Minimum wage here = 7.25 per hour x 40 hours
- 14.50 5% Tax (estimate),
-150.00 Daycare (here it's at least $150.00 for full time)
- 25.00 prepared meals/fast food ( $25.00-$50.00 per week )
- 30.00 Gas money, work wardrobe, hair & nails.
$60.50 Net

60.50 divided by 40 hours per week = $1.51 per hour.

I know every little bit helps but to me it's not worth it.

As far as holding your place in the work force.. no job is guaranteed these days.

Well there is one.. being a Mom.

[PolarCare]

Here ya go!

"sure are! Thank heavens children are priceless!"

"They sure are! But then again, ya get what you pay for, and I know where I wouldn't try and save a buck!"