I’ve spent many a waking moment over the past couple of weeks ruminating on how I’ll be getting back to work in March. With 2 kids. And little money.
When I had my 1st son (S), I got back to work at the recording studio when he was 3 months old by bringing him with me. Because he was just an infant, and the studio owner and most of our clients had small kids as well, who would often be there during our sessions, it wasn’t a big deal if I needed to take a break to boob the baby. Now that my S is (a very active and defiant) 2 years old, bringing him to the studio is out of the question. Especially with my 1 month old in tow, and ESPECIALLY if I plan to get any real work done. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be fair to S to lock him up in a recording studio all day with a bunch of adults who are busy doing ‘other things’. He needs real attention. He needs to play with kids his age. He needs structure in his day. These are all things I cannot deliver at the same time I’m making records. Musicians are enough babysitting for me.
Enter…daycare. Alluring, wonderful, promising, but expensive - daycare. This is what S needs. This is what I need. So it hits me like a wrecking ball when I discover that on average, daycare can cost $800 per month. On the LOW end. Fusk. I just never knew.
Not that it should be cheaper. Nobody wants cheap daycare for their children. In general, people who are helping us to raise our children are worth more than twice what they are getting. I just don’t know how I’d pay them for it. I just learned, in France, where childcare is subsidized by the government, women are getting back to work earlier and with less struggle than their American counterparts. And they don’t feel guilty about it. If there’s anything I’ve learned in the last 2 years about being a full-time mom, is that it’s not for me! I love my kids. I made them with my husband and they are ours to raise and love forever. But I also crave the stimulation and variety I get from doing the job which provides for my family. Just as S is in need of the chance to explore his world with other little people like him. And not only do I need the pay I’ll get from going back to work, I need the chance to be myself again. Therefore, we need daycare.
Here’s what it will take:
At $20/hr, if I work at least 10 hours a week, I can cover the cost of full time day care for S. If I work more, I can also help to pay some bills, buy groceries and gas, and put some money away. For more daycare.
Doable. Even with a 1 month old.
Here’s my list:
01. Tour our top pick for daycare (next week!), and apply to get on the waiting list (I was informed there is a wait list for his age group, but we don’t know how long it is)
02. Start booking clients at the studio. Having been a freelance recording engineer in Hawaii for the past 5 years, this shouldn’t be too much of a struggle. I have more than a few projects that could be ready to go in March.
03. Request family to assist in daycare for S if the waiting process is very long. They will be paid, of course.
photo: Sebastiao Salgado, Workers
