Using Daycare So Both Parents Can Work
Posted on: 23 October 2019
It has become commonplace for both parents to have to join the workforce in the United States. In many cases, it is a financial necessity for families to need two incomes. One major roadblock in doing this is caring for your children. Who will drop the kids off at school and pick them up when it's over? Who will be home with them during summer vacation? Using a daycare service can be the solution to these common issues.
The Shift Dilemma
It is difficult for two people to work around each other's shifts. One person will likely be getting out of work when the other person is supposed to be arriving at their job. It is rare that a company will allow someone to either leave work early or arrive late on a daily basis. Even if a company is this flexible, it can put a damper on your career growth. What if you don't have enough time to finish your work that day? What if you have an important meeting or a project deadline?
Timing of School and Work
Your child's school day is most likely shorter than your workday. Most full-time work shifts are about eight hours long. School days tend to be closer to six or seven hours. This difference in time usually means you will either be working while your children need to get to school or when they get out of school. Even a one hour time gap can be enough to make you turn down a job opportunity.
Financial Roadblocks
If both parents in a household must work in order to make ends meet, that means money is somewhat scarce. It can be costly to enroll children in some daycare programs. Depending on how much money you make from your job, it might not seem worth it to use a daycare service. Even if it is a fact that if you and your partner both worked you would be able to afford daycare, it can be financially intimidating to take that first step. Luckily, there are a lot of childcare options out there that are suited to fit the needs of a wide variety of people. There are programs specifically designed for low-income households and people who are in your exact situation. There are even government programs that can help you get your child set up in daycare while providing some financial assistance along the way.
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