How do you afford a 2nd baby...

if both babies need to be in daycare? No, I'm not PG, nor are we trying yet. I'm just trying to figure out how we can do it? I wanted to have a second baby around when Caiden is 2-2.5 years old. Well, that would mean I'd have to get PG in 5-9 months. I know things don't always happen the way you want them too, this is just what I'd like to happen. We just don't make enough money for 2 daycares. I really hate for that to be the reason why we can't have another baby. I can't see us being able to afford things if I stayed at home. I'm just trying to figure out different ways. What is everyone else doing? Does anyone have any ideas? We don't have any family around to help watch them either.

Re: How do you afford a 2nd baby...

What about a moms group that shares the responsibility? Can you work less or can DH work less and take on other peoples kids as well as your own?

I know it doesnt seem like you can live on one salary but instead of paying for 2 kids in daycare it may work out better if one of you stays home.

Re: How do you afford a 2nd baby...

Melissa- I think it is not just daycare but the other costs as well. Molly is only in daycare part/time and I work full-time from home. But I can't see being able to jungle 2 babies while working from home (in a management role) never mind the cost of daycare. It is also about jungling even more laundry, housework, working full-time and trying to make time for both of your children and your husband. It means getting 2 ready every morning and every night. You know?
So even if you could afford the second daycare bill there are other things to consider. If you want to see if you can truly afford it then try to put the price of daycare plus $100 (diapers, supplies) away in savings every month. If you find that you can easily do that then you probably can afford the 2nd baby financially. Of course, you need to figure out if you can do all that comes with a second baby while working as well.

Re: How do you afford a 2nd baby...

That is one of the reasons we spaced our kids so far apart (5 years-2 months). We could have not been able to afford daycare for both. Last year my daughter was in half day kindergarten and since I had to get a sitter, my dh got a part time job to afford that (she was more than the daycare was costing me a year before!). This year she is in school full day so that is only $10/day and then I have my son in daycare. We would not have been able to afford double diapers, clothes, etc.
I think as long as you think things through, eveything will be ok. I am a major planner but things always seem to work out even though I keep myself up at night worry about them!!