Devoted to WAHMs -Work at Home Moms

Finding the right care for our children while we’re at work can be an ongoing challenge, especially because our kids have different needs at different ages, our jobs change, and babysitters come and go. We conducted a survey called What Moms Want to learn success strategies mothers have found in many areas, including who cares for their kids while they’re working.

We surveyed more than 500 working mothers from across the country and in all kinds of jobs. We found that more than half of these moms are spending at least $6,000 a year on child care—and many are spending $12,000 or more.

Here are several commonly used solutions to building an all-star child-care home team:

• 45% of those surveyed used a child-care center
• 17% used a family child-care home
• 12% had a nanny or babysitter
• 12% relied on relatives (not including Dad)
• 6% relied on Dad, or a domestic partner
• 3% worked at home and cared for their child at the same time

This gleaned from today's Working Mother newsletter.

Only 3% worked at home and cared for their child at the same time. When you go to balance the books between working from home and keeping that 9 to 5 job be sure to calculate not only the savings in child care costs but the stuff that doesn't show up on balance sheets.

• Hugs throughout the day not just when you walk in the door from a long day at work.
• Hearing your child sing to themselves while they play along side you.
• No worrying what your boss is going to say when you have to miss work due to a sick child.
• Lunch dates with a five year old.
• Peace of mind, if not peace and quiet.

You bet, $12,000 is a sweet chunk of change that I am saving by working at home but there are rewards that are sweeter. Bring on the 'sugah'!