Weighing the Pros and Cons of Daycare or Nanny

Growing up I always wanted to be a stay at home mom. As I got older reality set in and I realized that might not be an option for me. Plan B was derived: if I had to work and so did my husband we would want a loving nanny to care for our child and help around the house with light chores. Daycare was last on our list – simply because we had no experience with daycare in our families.

Sure enough in 2012 our little boy arrived and we are a working parental team and like many other parents – child care is a must. Perhaps a stay at home parent, a daycare center, nanny or help from a family member(s) – regardless with working parents, someone has to look after the little one.

In our case we were fortunate my Mom was able to help with our little one for the first 9 months. When it was back to school for her kids – it was Plan B for my kid. Unfortunately budget did not allow for a private nanny so we found an amazing daycare center by my office. We all love it and so does our son.

Then I got to thinking what happens when baby number 2 and eventually number 3 or 4 comes along then what do we do? Can we afford daycare? How do you ask an already generous family member to watch multiple children especially to juggle a toddler and a newborn. Yikes!

I started crunching numbers of putting two children through daycare full time. Wow – it is not cheap! Then I started researching paying a nanny for two children. Finally, it looks like the option for a nanny is in the cards. Not only do I like that a nanny is in your home but also can help with keeping a few of the minor chores around the house flowing. Like the laundry, dishwasher and even preparing a meal. As a working Mom those are the things that take the most out of me. I would rather spend the time playing cars or building block with my 2 year old not rushing home from a full day of work to prep a meal and run the washer. When it comes to care and priorities – a nanny can add value that equals happiness.

– Kristin Kane Ford
Guest Blogger, Former Nanny & Parker’s Mom
@kpsocialmedia