Any Cheap Ass Parents Here? The CheapAssParenting Thread!

metaphysicalstyles

metaphysicalstyles

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Seeing that this thread has been relatively successful, I've decided to make this a thread to discuss all things relating to cheapass-parenting.


After living life as a stay-at-home dad for the past 16 months, I will finally be returning to the workforce on November 16th. I've landed a really sweet gig as a Technology and Telecommunications Support Specialist. Great pay, great benefits, nice office, cushy job overall.

Sounds great... but here's my dilemma. I'll be sending my 16 month-old daughter to daycare for the very first time next Tuesday.

As you might imagine, I'm freaking out. After spending 16 months as her primary caregiver and buddy, I'm scared to death to leave her.

I thoroughly researched all of the daycare facilities in the area. I finally settled on a location that is like a prep-school for preschoolers. The place is a SACS accredited learning institution with a 5-to-1 child-to-teacher ratio... which is cool, because there are only four other kids in her class.

It's a flat $170 per week.

My main concern is how she will respond to being around other kids and not me. She seems to be fascinated by other kids... but her only interactions have occurred at the community playground. Spending 9-10 hours a day away from her dad, surrounded by four other kids might take a toll on her.

Does anyone have any experience in similar situations? Any advice?

Thanks!
 
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Not personal, but several friends with kids who did much the same. Kids adapt quickly, especially that young.

Some friends who waited until kids were 3 or 4 had a tougher time with the kids adjusting with crying not wanting to go to pre school every morning for the 1st month or so etc. But at 16 months it shouldn't be much of an issue.

And it's good to get kids in social situations with other kids as early as possible. That way they've got more social skills etc. by the time Kindergarten started than the kids that were just with a stay at home mom or dad until Kindergarten.

In all honestly, it's harder on the parent (you in this case!) who is used to being with their child all the time than it is on the kid! :D
 
Yeah I've got an almost 3 year old who I need to be sending to pre-school next year. (If she doesnt qualify for early education services). Probably should have sent her earlier just for the social settings of it. But I can't really afford that $100 (or even $50) a week.
Cheapest option is just to stay at home and take the kid to outings (library story time, etc) a few times a week.
 
Day care is crazy expensive.

I don't know how single moms do it.

Hell, my boss has 3 kids and instead of the mother working, she just stays home and takes care of them because they save more $$.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']In all honestly, it's harder on the parent (you in this case!) who is used to being with their child all the time than it is on the kid! :D[/QUOTE]

This ^. I'm having some serious anxiety issues because of the impending daycare takeover. I know deep down that she'll be fine, and that socializing is indeed what's best for her. It's just hard to let go. Wow... I must have a huge vagina.

Day care is crazy expensive.
Click to expand...

No doubt. One of the daycare locations we looked at was a cool $1,200 per month. It was a basement in some WASP's suburban home. The lady charges that much because she claims that she would have our child reading by age 2. When we visited her location, I noticed that she uses that Baby Can Read reading program with the flashcards and pictures. Sure... it's a $100 dollar reading program that cable television spams ads for, but I can't see how it would crank the cost of daycare up almost 35% more than her competitors.

Maybe I should open my own daycare. Then again... no. That would be a terrible idea.
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']16 month old baby seems very soon to be leaving her at daycare? Pratically still a baby IMO, or am I just off here?[/QUOTE]

Very off. I have friends that had babies in day care quite a bit younger than that. In the age of it being the norm for both parents to have white collar careers etc., it's very normal as there's only so long you can take maternity leave etc.
 
Is that $170 per child per week? Jesus. Now I see why my boss' wife stays home - that would be $2040 per month?! That's like a mortgage payment per month... Some people don't even make that much money.. It would be more worth it for someone to stay home..

What do people do that have a bunch of kids and blue collar or low paying jobs? Leave them with the grandparents?

There's another co-worker that has 3 kids and he only works part-time.

You've gotta be upper-middle class just to have kids!

How old can they be before you make them latchkey kids who heat up easy mac?
 
[quote name='2DMention']Is that $170 per child per week? Jesus. Now I see why my boss' wife stays home - that would be $2040 per month?! Some people don't even make that much money.. It would be more worth it for someone to stay home..

What do people do that have a bunch of kids and blue collar or low paying jobs? Leave them with the grandparents.

There's another co-worker that has 3 kids and he only works part-time.

You've gotta be upper-middle class just to have kids![/QUOTE]

I think your math's off there buddy. I believe that would be like 680 a month.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Very off. I have friends that had babies in day care quite a bit younger than that. In the age of it being the norm for both parents to have white collar careers etc., it's very normal as there's only so long you can take maternity leave etc.[/QUOTE]

I was lucky, as in my wife makes big bank. So I quit my job 16 months ago. However, I can't not work for the rest of my life. Not that I enjoy working (who does), but I just miss being a productive member of society. Besides, playing with and teaching a child in your home everyday gets old fast.

I also gained like 15 pounds, and developed weird knee callouses from crawling around on the floor. Never really knew what it would be like to just totally let go of yourself until I started staying home with the baby.

I also didn't want to go too long without employment. Couldn't imagine that over a year or two without work would look very good on a resume. Especially when my education and experience deals with new technology.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']I was lucky, as in my wife makes big bank. So I quit my job 16 months ago. However, I can't not work for the rest of my life. Not that I enjoy working (who does), but I just miss being a productive member of society. Besides, playing with and teaching a child in your home everyday gets old fast.

I also gained like 15 pounds, and developed weird knee callouses from crawling around on the floor. Never really knew what it would be like to just totally let go of yourself until I started staying home with the baby.

I also didn't want to go too long without employment. Couldn't imagine that over a year or two without work would look very good on a resume. Especially when my education and experience deals with new technology.[/QUOTE]

If you gained that much weight and are getting beaten up, how did you not gain weight when you were working? What, if you work that means activity and if you're not working that means couch potato? :lol:
 
[quote name='2DMention']Is that $170 per child per week? Jesus. Now I see why my boss' wife stays home - that would be $2040 per month?! Some people don't even make that much money.. It would be more worth it for someone to stay home..

What do people do that have a bunch of kids and blue collar or low paying jobs? Leave them with the grandparents.

There's another co-worker that has 3 kids and he only works part-time.

You've gotta be upper-middle class just to have kids!

How old can they be before you make them latchkey kids who heat up easy mac?[/QUOTE]

Yep... it's damn expensive. It will cost me $680 per month. However, I've been informed that there is a tax credit for first time parents that will reimburse some of the expenses come tax time. HOPEFULLY we'll qualify. My wife and I like to go to the islands at least once a year... so a few extra bucks can help us be a little less selective when choosing a vacation destination.
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']If you gained that much weight and are getting beaten up, how did you not gain weight when you were working? What, if you work that means activity and if you're not working that means couch potato? :lol:[/QUOTE]

:applause:

Well... at least at work I am able to walk distances a bit longer than from one side of the house to the other. Work also keeps me away from the fridge... which has become my arch nemesis in recent months.

There's also this masculinity thing.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']Yep... it's damn expensive. It will cost me $680 per month. However, I've been informed that there is a tax credit for first time parents that will reimburse some of the expenses come tax time. HOPEFULLY we'll qualify. My wife and I like to go to the islands at least once a year... so a few extra bucks can help us be a little less selective when choosing a vacation destination.[/QUOTE]

You rich jerk, vacationing and putting your kid in prep-school daycare. :rofl:
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']I think your math's off there buddy. I believe that would be like 680 a month.[/QUOTE]

Not for 3 kids.

I was lucky, as in my wife makes big bank.
Click to expand...
Is she a lawyer or a corp. exec or something?

You rich jerk, vacationing and putting your kid in prep-school daycare. :rofl:
Click to expand...

Agreed. You sound like you don't have anything to worry about. What are you doing on a site like this?

I haven't been on a REAL vacation in 6 years.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']:applause:

Well... at least at work I am able to walk distances a bit longer than from one side of the house to the other. Work also keeps me away from the fridge... which has become my arch nemesis in recent months.

There's also this masculinity thing.[/QUOTE]

You know, I hear that about a lot of guys that go from working a lot to not working, but I don't understand it. Work is supposed to be bad, who likes to work? I don't get why it would affect a guy in a bad way not working haha...?
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']You know, I hear that about a lot of guys that go from working a lot to not working, but I don't understand it. Work is supposed to be bad, who likes to work? I don't get why it would affect a guy in a bad way not working haha...?[/QUOTE]

Just depends. I don't care about the masculinity thing (need to take care of family etc.). But I actually like my job most of the time and would go nuts if I didn't have work to do.
 
[quote name='2DMention']Not for 3 kids.

Is she a lawyer or a corp. exec or something?

[/QUOTE]

He said it would be for one kid haha.

As for job, she's a stripper. By her looks she could make some bank. :rofl:
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']You know, I hear that about a lot of guys that go from working a lot to not working, but I don't understand it. Work is supposed to be bad, who likes to work? I don't get why it would affect a guy in a bad way not working haha...?[/QUOTE]

Exactly. If I could have a Rich wife that's like a sugar mumma it wouldn't bother me one bit to stay home.

I have a cousin who's wife is an exec. at a bank, and she bankrolled him to start a beer brewery business. They go on vacations all the time to Germany. :drool:
 
You rich jerk, vacationing and putting your kid in prep-school daycare. :rofl:
Click to expand...

Is she a lawyer or a corp. exec or something?
Click to expand...

As for job, she's a stripper. By her looks she could make some bank. :rofl:
Click to expand...

She's a doc. Still not sure why she married me. As for her looks... yeah. I'll admit that I've approached her more than once (candidly) about starting a cam operation. Talk about doing something for the ol' masculinity thing

What are you doing on a site like this?
Click to expand...

Well... I wasn't always "fortunate." Besides... I try to finance my gaming addiction myself. That way spending money on games won't be used as ammunition in our arguments. Oh... and there's nothing better than getting something for much less than what it's worth. If it was socially acceptable, I would totally have been a thief or a con-man.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']She's a doc. Still not sure why she married me. As for her looks... yeah. I'll admit that I've approached her more than once (candidly) about starting a cam operation. Talk about doing something for the ol' masculinity thing[/QUOTE]

A hot doctor wife...I saw the picture of you...you must have a great personality or something. :rofl: No offense!
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']A hot doctor wife...I saw the picture of you...you must have a great personality or something. :rofl: No offense![/QUOTE]

I screwed up. I couldv'e dated a cute girl in med. school while we were both working grading tests in the spring...

LoL. One of my co-workers has a parent that was a corp. exec. she got so sick of the corp. world that she bought a long-haul trucking business and is now a trucker.. Talk about a 360 degree turn!
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']A hot doctor wife...I saw the picture of you...you must have a great personality or something. :rofl: No offense![/QUOTE]

It's all Jedi mind tricks my man. :cool:
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']I have another question... if my wife claims my daughter on her tax forms, does that mean I don't have to?[/QUOTE]

Well, do you file like joint taxes or do you put that you're both single. If you both put single I think it would be best to only have the kid on one, but if you put that you're married to each other I'm pretty sure you both have to have the kid on there.

Don't quote me on that though.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']Yep... it's damn expensive. It will cost me $680 per month. However, I've been informed that there is a tax credit for first time parents that will reimburse some of the expenses come tax time. HOPEFULLY we'll qualify. [/QUOTE]
If your wife really makes "big bank" like you say, you don't qualify for hardly anything. The most you'd get is $600 per 2009 taxes for the child care tax credit. The child tax credit is $1000 per crotchfruit but it is reduced if you guys make more than $110k. Also, they are nonrefundable, which means you can't get more than the taxes you paid in. So, it is SOMETHING, but you aren't getting a full refund or something. People really make a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to tax deductions and credits; there are TONS of conditions and limits. Don't do something just because there's a deduction for it ::cough::mortgage::cough::.

[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']I have another question... if my wife claims my daughter on her tax forms, does that mean I don't have to?[/QUOTE]

If you didn't work at all this year except for when your new job starts, file joint or else you will get fucked up the ass for taxes.

My husband chided me for giving me this information for free. So he is telling me you need to Google the rest. ;)

[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']Well, do you file like joint taxes or do you put that you're both single. If you both put single I think it would be best to only have the kid on one, but if you put that you're married to each other I'm pretty sure you both have to have the kid on there.

Don't quote me on that though.[/QUOTE]
If you are legally married you can't file singly. It's either married filing jointly or married filing separately (which is less favorable than filing singly if you are unmarried). If you are filing separately you can only claim a crotchfruit on one return (husband OR wife), your choice of which return. Filing jointly there is only one return.

If you know absolutely nothing about taxes, please don't give tax advice. At least you put a disclaimer, but I know most people wouldn't even do that.
 
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[quote name='Dead of Knight']
If you are legally married you can't file singly. It's either married filing jointly or married filing separately (which is less favorable than filing singly if you are unmarried). If you are filing separately you can only claim a crotchfruit on one return (husband OR wife), your choice of which return. Filing jointly there is only one return.

If you know absolutely nothing about taxes, please don't give tax advice. At least you put a disclaimer, but I know most people wouldn't even do that.[/QUOTE]

Of course you can file seperately if you put that you are both single, which, while not true could be done.
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']Of course you can file seperately if you put that you are both single, which, while not true could be done.[/QUOTE]

It would be illegal and the IRS would be on your ass. They are a federal agency, you know? They have your social security number. They could find out pretty easily that you're married. In the OP's situation, there would be no reason to file separately this year in his situation when his wife was the only breadwinner anyway. If you REALLY wanted to file separately as married, you can do that, but you have to file "married filing separately," which generally is an unfavorable tax position.

I don't like to brag and I don't know if you read other topics around the boards, but I am a Certified Public Accountant and I tried to let you off easy, but please, don't talk about things you don't have a clue about, especially when it comes to legality and giving false, illegal advice on a form that it would be illegal to lie on.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']It would be illegal and the IRS would be on your ass. They are a federal agency, you know? They have your social security number. They could find out pretty easily that you're married. In the OP's situation, there would be no reason to file separately this year in his situation when his wife was the only breadwinner anyway. If you REALLY wanted to file separately as married, you can do that, but you have to file "married filing separately," which generally is an unfavorable tax position.

I don't like to brag and I don't know if you read other topics around the boards, but I am a Certified Public Accountant and I tried to let you off easy, but please, don't talk about things you don't have a clue about, especially when it comes to legality and giving false, illegal advice on a form that it would be illegal to lie on.[/QUOTE]

Jesus... sorry I asked.

This was a candid conversation until you stepped in. I'm not :censored: retarded... if I want a factual answer, I'll have our personal accountant give it to me. Take a few Alprazolams, have a drink, and calm down. No reason to get the feds involved or firebomb poor Krak.

Oh... and where can I send some PayPal to for your seemingly priceless advice? I wouldn't want your husband's panties to be in a bunch. How much did that unwanted lecture cost me?

Wow... "Super Bitch" is an understatement.
 
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[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']Jesus... sorry I asked.

This was a candid conversation until you stepped in. I'm not :censored: retarded... if I want a factual answer, I'll have our personal accountant give it to me. Take a few Alprazolams, have a drink, and calm down. No reason to get the feds involved or firebomb poor Krak.

Oh... and where can I send some PayPal to for your seemingly priceless advice? I wouldn't want your husband's panties to be in a bunch. How much did that unwanted lecture cost me?

Wow... "Super Bitch" is an understatement.[/QUOTE]

:applause: Yes, it seemed that she was going a bit crazy there. Maybe her and her husband run the IRS and just pose as accountants to bust people on anything they say. :rofl:
 
I don't much like DoK, but she is indeed an accountant (she may have quit, but I didn't quite follow the thread about it). She has the training and she knows her shit (she works/worked in a Big 4 firm). So I'd suggest taking her advice seriously even if it isn't presented with a pretty ribbon. :/
 
[quote name='DarkSageRK']I don't much like DoK, but she is indeed an accountant (she may have quit, but I didn't quite follow the thread about it). She has the training and she knows her shit (she works/worked in a Big 4 firm). So I'd suggest taking her advice seriously even if it isn't presented with a pretty ribbon. :/[/QUOTE]

Agreed, but don't get personally butthurt by her. That's just the way she is.

At least she has good taste in RPGs.

Edit: Wow! Another CAG from MN! There's a lot of us!
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']Jesus... sorry I asked.

This was a candid conversation until you stepped in. I'm not :censored: retarded... if I want a factual answer, I'll have our personal accountant give it to me. Take a few Alprazolams, have a drink, and calm down. No reason to get the feds involved or firebomb poor Krak.

Oh... and where can I send some PayPal to for your seemingly priceless advice? I wouldn't want your husband's panties to be in a bunch. How much did that unwanted lecture cost me?

Wow... "Super Bitch" is an understatement.[/QUOTE]


Why did you take offense? She was blasting that krakrabbit guy for giving you bad advice. It was a bit overboard, but hey, it is annoying when people spout off about things they know nothing about--especially when it's giving advice that encourages something that would be illegal.
 
Getting back to the post at hand.......


As most people have said, it is WAY harder on you (the parent) than the child. I, too, am mostly a stay-home-dad. My wife and I got REAL lucky towards the end of her maternity leave and realized that my neighbor's sister runs a day care out of her home, like ten minutes away. Much cheaper than a 'real' day care, and she cared for like all the kdis in the neighborhood (who are now teenagers).

Since I still work part-time as a teacher/tutor for Kaplan (a test prep company) (mostly to keep my foot in the door for full time teaching down the road a bit), we had him going to the sitter's like 2 afternoons a week, starting at like 4 months old. It was REAL hard on me, with him crying as you leave. But I have literally gone outside around the corner and skulked back to peek inside her window and it seems the second I was gone, he was off being entertained/playing with the other kids.

My son is now two and a half and has been in the same sitter situation with the same kids for 2 years (she sits two other kids), and he's happy as a clam there.

Be strong!
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Why did you take offense? She was blasting that krakrabbit guy for giving you bad advice. It was a bit overboard, but hey, it is annoying when people spout off about things they know nothing about--especially when it's giving advice that encourages something that would be illegal.[/QUOTE]

This. Jesus christ, talk about an overreaction, especially when I wasn't bitching to him directly (I was bitching to the poster who was giving false and illegal advice) and included ;) smileys in my remarks about giving free advice. Now I am wishing I didn't even give him advice and he ended up owing hundreds more dollars on his taxes, since he was going to be such an asshole.

I like how he didn't get upset at the poster who was giving him wrong advice, but then gets upset at me for actually trying to help him. Well, fuck you very much sir.

[quote name='DarkSageRK']I don't much like DoK, but she is indeed an accountant (she may have quit, but I didn't quite follow the thread about it). She has the training and she knows her shit (she works/worked in a Big 4 firm). So I'd suggest taking her advice seriously even if it isn't presented with a pretty ribbon. :/[/QUOTE]

I used to work for the Big 4, but I quit because I didn't want to deal with the ridiculous hours or the assholes. I work for a local firm now and it's a lot better, and I'm actually making more money. I also have my CPA license. So I know my shit more than most people, though I am not exactly an expert yet (I don't even work in tax, I work in audit, but I did have to take classes and pass an extensive exam on taxation). I can however, answer basic questions about taxes such as those presented in this topic.

[quote name='Frankski']Since I still work part-time as a teacher/tutor for Kaplan (a test prep company) (mostly to keep my foot in the door for full time teaching down the road a bit)[/QUOTE]

You work for Kaplan? You poor bastard. My best friend is a new father and has worked for them for a few years doing ESL classes. He actually got the job because he was fired from his old teaching job as a history teacher at a legitimate school (politics, principal wanted one of her cronies in the position instead). He hasn't been able to find a real teaching job again and it's been a few years. Good luck to you.
 
[quote name='Thekrakrabbit']I think your math's off there buddy. I believe that would be like 680 a month.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure how you didn't get caught for this, but his math was right.

$170 * 3 kids = $510 * 4 weeks = $2040/month
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']This. Jesus christ, talk about an overreaction, especially when I wasn't bitching to him directly (I was bitching to the poster who was giving false and illegal advice) and included ;) smileys in my remarks about giving free advice. Now I am wishing I didn't even give him advice and he ended up owing hundreds more dollars on his taxes, since he was going to be such an asshole.

I like how he didn't get upset at the poster who was giving him wrong advice, but then gets upset at me for actually trying to help him. Well, fuck you very much sir.



I used to work for the Big 4, but I quit because I didn't want to deal with the ridiculous hours or the assholes. I work for a local firm now and it's a lot better, and I'm actually making more money. I also have my CPA license. So I know my shit more than most people, though I am not exactly an expert yet (I don't even work in tax, I work in audit, but I did have to take classes and pass an extensive exam on taxation). I can however, answer basic questions about taxes such as those presented in this topic.



You work for Kaplan? You poor bastard. My best friend is a new father and has worked for them for a few years doing ESL classes. He actually got the job because he was fired from his old teaching job as a history teacher at a legitimate school (politics, principal wanted one of her cronies in the position instead). He hasn't been able to find a real teaching job again and it's been a few years. Good luck to you.[/QUOTE]

Look... I like to take a light-hearted approach to life. You just seem to come on a little strong.

Maybe I'm perceiving this incorrectly, but it seems that you are a very high-strung, angry individual.

Who knows... you may be an absolute delight to be around.

Bless you fair maiden.
 
[quote name='Darknuke']I'm not sure how you didn't get caught for this, but his math was right.

$170 * 3 kids = $510 * 4 weeks = $2040/month[/QUOTE]

But where did the guy say he had three kids? OP is trying to find a sitter for one, that's who I was talking about.

P.S. Somebody already pointed it out, so...double fail?

P.S. Two: I think people are taking what I said too strongly here. I'm no accountant, and I didn't say my "advice" was right I was just posting basically my thoughts, not actual advice. Unlike DoK I wasn't looking to charge for the advice hahaha. In any case, maybe we should get back on topic though. I feel DoK derailed it a bit...
 
[quote name='Frankski']Getting back to the post at hand.......


As most people have said, it is WAY harder on you (the parent) than the child. I, too, am mostly a stay-home-dad. My wife and I got REAL lucky towards the end of her maternity leave and realized that my neighbor's sister runs a day care out of her home, like ten minutes away. Much cheaper than a 'real' day care, and she cared for like all the kdis in the neighborhood (who are now teenagers).

Since I still work part-time as a teacher/tutor for Kaplan (a test prep company) (mostly to keep my foot in the door for full time teaching down the road a bit), we had him going to the sitter's like 2 afternoons a week, starting at like 4 months old. It was REAL hard on me, with him crying as you leave. But I have literally gone outside around the corner and skulked back to peek inside her window and it seems the second I was gone, he was off being entertained/playing with the other kids.

My son is now two and a half and has been in the same sitter situation with the same kids for 2 years (she sits two other kids), and he's happy as a clam there.

Be strong![/QUOTE]

Thank you for the encouragement. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Fathers seem to have this stigma attached to them. We're apparently supposed to be strong, and void of emotion. Unfortunately, when it comes to my baby, I'm a huge softy. When she's sad, I'm sad. I suppose that's what makes a father a good father. The ability to identify with your child, and work diligently at making sure their life is as enjoyable as possible.

I never saw myself as the parent type... but as soon as I held her no more than a minute after she was born, I knew that I DID have a purpose in this life. To be the best father I could possibly be. So far, I think I'm doing an above average job (~pats self on back~).
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']Thank you for the encouragement. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Fathers seem to have this stigma attached to them. We're apparently supposed to be strong, and void of emotion. Unfortunately, when it comes to my baby, I'm a huge softy. When she's sad, I'm sad. I suppose that's what make a father a good father. The ability to identify with your child, and work diligently at making sure their life is as enjoyable as possible.

I never saw myself as the parent type... but as soon as I held her no more than a minute after she was born, I knew that I DID have a purpose in this life. To be the best father I could possibly be. So far, I think I'm doing an above average job (~pats self on back~).[/QUOTE]

That's what I hear a lot of Dads say about when they have a baby.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']Since we're talking about my little midget, I thought I'd "proud parent" it and post her picture.

DSC_0545.jpg
[/QUOTE]

She looks kinda old for only being over a year old haha. I guess you could say cute though....nice job? :rofl:
 
Back on topic, my wife and I have a 2 year old with another hatching in January.

Putting the little guy in daycare was hard, but as others have mentioned, it is essential for their social development. As good of a father as you are, you can't substitute the social environment they get from daycare. Furthermore, a *good* daycare will really teach your child in a positive manner and provide variety to open the mind and keep the noggin growing.

I must reiterate how important it is to find quality daycare though. You must differentiate between the daycares that actively teach and nurture your child vs those who just "babysit" (they don't interact much with the kids other than making sure they don't do anything to harm themselves or each other).

Second, know your child's caregiver(s). When my son first went into daycare, we liked his teacher and just assumed the good care was standard. He got bumped into the toddler class and soon we realized that the new teacher was horrible (grandma actually overheard her yelling at a child to "sit down and shut up!"). She also had her own grandchild in the class, which meant all her attention was focused there.

Finally, and I hope this doesn't spark any hate, I believe it is very important that your child's teachers have English as a primary language if that is going to be his/her primary language. They will be molding a good part of the language foundation for your child, so it is important that it starts out strong. It also makes it easier on you to communicate with them openly (assuming that's your primary language as well).

PS> I'd rather get brash but correct advice over nice but wrong advice any day of the week.

EDIT: Last thing - your child will likely cry going into daycare. Resist the temptation to pull them out because you feel bad. It's actually selfish to do. Be strong, for her sake.
 
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[quote name='Eltis']Back on topic, my wife and I have a 2 year old with another hatching in January.

Putting the little guy in daycare was hard, but as others have mentioned, it is essential for their social development. As good of a father as you are, you can't substitute the social environment they get from daycare. Furthermore, a *good* daycare will really teach your child in a positive manner and provide variety to open the mind and keep the noggin growing.

I must reiterate how important it is to find quality daycare though. You must differentiate between the daycares that actively teach and nurture your child vs those who just "babysit" (they don't interact much with the kids other than making sure they don't do anything to harm themselves or each other).

Second, know your child's caregiver(s). When my son first went into daycare, we liked his teacher and just assumed the good care was standard. He got bumped into the toddler class and soon we realized that the new teacher was horrible (grandma actually overheard her yelling at a child to "sit down and shut up!"). She also had her own grandchild in the class, which meant all her attention was focused there.

Finally, and I hope this doesn't spark any hate, I believe it is very important that your child's teachers have English as a primary language if that is going to be his/her primary language. They will be molding a good part of the language foundation for your child, so it is important that it starts out strong. It also makes it easier on you to communicate with them openly (assuming that's your primary language as well).

PS> I'd rather get brash but correct advice over nice but wrong advice any day of the week.

EDIT: Last thing - your child will likely cry going into daycare. Resist the temptation to pull them out because you feel bad. It's actually selfish to do. Be strong, for her sake.[/QUOTE]

If your child is going to be spending the whole day with a teacher/in day care, then an English first language person is probably good. Unless you don't mind your kid speaking English with a Scottish hint. :lol:
 
[quote name='Eltis']Furthermore, a *good* daycare will really teach your child in a positive manner and provide variety to open the mind and keep the noggin growing.

I must reiterate how important it is to find quality daycare though. You must differentiate between the daycares that actively teach and nurture your child vs those who just "babysit" (they don't interact much with the kids other than making sure they don't do anything to harm themselves or each other).
[/QUOTE]

The daycare we have selected is heavily focused on education. It's like a prepschool for preschoolers. They actually bring in University teachers for various educational programs relating to art, music, language, and science. Matter of fact, when we visited, they were learning about Dadaism. I was in high school before I was aware of Dada as an art form!
 
sorry but that is a waste of time. It's a feel good measure for parents- the kid will barely remember. Interaction and stimulation are great for kids...a graduate level course in art, not so much.
 
[quote name='metaphysicalstyles']The daycare we have selected is heavily focused on education. It's like a prepschool for preschoolers. They actually bring in University teachers for various educational programs relating to art, music, language, and science. Matter of fact, when we visited, they were learning about Dadaism. I was in high school before I was aware of Dada as an art form![/QUOTE]

I was in my first year of college before I learned it.

An I agree with the dood above me, totally unecessary. That's as bad as the moms who think playing classical music in the womb helps their kids.
 
[quote name='usickenme']sorry but that is a waste of time. It's a feel good measure for parents- the kid will barely remember. Interaction and stimulation are great for kids...a graduate level course in art, not so much.[/QUOTE]

This. That sounds really unnecessary and they may even just be putting on a show for touring parents. Though the price quoted in the OP, $170 a week, doesn't sound like he's getting totally hosed either depending on which part of the country he lives in.

The reason why I say it might just be for show is because my friend used to work in a daycare/preschool as an art teacher and they would do stuff for show there as well. I asked her about this and she said, "When we had a tour, someone would go and tell all the rooms so they could be on their best behaviours and make it look like we were 110% involved. Not that it affected me since i did my job, but it definitely changed how other teachers acted."

So yeah, buyer beware, but like I said, I don't think $170 a week is really getting hosed for a safe daycare.
 
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