How can you raise a family/have kids if both parents work?

Answer 1

My husband and I both work, and also have kids. We work opposite shifts, so one of us is always with the children. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Answer 2

Things get really crazy when both parents work. I recall a lawyer I knew who practically shuddered as he recounted his horrible childhood with his mom, an English college professor and his father, a lawyer turned judge. He said the house was chaotic and stuff was misplaced and nothing ran smoothly.
I worked and my older kids were in day care as infants on. I had 2 hours from the time I got home to get those kids to bed, and things like a bedtime story got overlooked. Also, I think some kids are ok and other kids with different personalities are more negatively affected by being in day care. It just depends on the child. The daycare director told me that one of our kids would have been better off being raised at home, she was needy, always needing hugs from the daycare staff, etc.

My niece is very intelligent, was a National Merit finalist, got invited to great summer programs, and now helps out by reading applications as part of the admissions committee for the same summer program she attended in high school. She is very perceptive and observant, and told me she noticed that the kids who were the most competitive for these summer slots all had stay-at-home moms. They were able to participate in more after-school activities due to having a ride to the activity and a sane home life and clean clothes, etc.. As a consequence, she has decided when she has kids that she will be a stay-at-home mom because she thinks her children will be higher achievers if she does so.
So it seems that there is less chaos and more success if one parent stays home--or if parents work in shifts so that one parent is always home.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I believe if you can afford the sacrifice, one parent should stay home with the baby as long as possible, or work part-time. Let's face it, with the cost of day care these days, you have to be earning over a certain amount to even make it worth your while, not only are there costs associated with day-care, but depending on where you work, then you've got gas, clothes, lunch etc....so if you add all those expenses, and you still actually bring home money that makes a difference, then yes, perhaps the second parent working might be worthwhile. I don't know how many people do the actual math though. If you live near family, perhaps you might get them to pitch in once or twice a week, most want to help out and it gives them special bonding time....AND if both of you work and the kid is in daycare, then make sure all the time you do have with your kid counts as much as you can. We have close friends who both worked full-time, kids in daycare, and both kids have grown to be hard working, polite, well adjusted young adults. Although, I chose to work at home and work part-time, keeping daycare and mommy's day out to a minimum. Good Luck.

Answer 4

My husband and I both work and are raising a family of 2 girls and 1 on the way. How do we do it? I work 1st shift and he works 2nd shift, so there's only about an hour in between that we would need someone to take care of our kids until I get home. We get alot of help from my mother-in-law. Good luck.

Answer 5

My husband and I both work, we have to for crazy little things like food, rent, and health insurance. We had the luxuery of getting to keep our son home for a year before he went to daycare (my husband was a fantastic stay at home dad) but I know MANY families who have had their children in daycare much younger and the kids are great, well adjusted people. You need to decide what is the best thing for YOUR family, and balance the cost of childcare vs income. It's not easy, but nothing about being a parent is easy!

Answer 6

My parents did it. My mom and dad both worked and I went to daycare with my sister during the school days. At the end of the day we had a family dinner, did homework and had family time. Every weekend my parents got us to do a family activity.

In the end, my sister and I are both successful and have a great relationships with both our parents.

Answer 7

It's all about balance. Maintain balance as much as you can - you're going to need to as a parent, you get to balance a whole lot of everything else as each day passes. Just make a plan - which give a fair amount of time for family and work, and don't worry if it goes awry every once in awhile.

Answer 8

My husband and I both work...my son goes to a family daycare 3 days a week, and Grandma has him 2 days of teh week.

Answer 9

I am 17 and I attend school during the day (as does my fiancee)
and my 3 year old daughter attends day care while we go to school. After school I work till 7 pm when the day care closes and I pick her up and take her home. So it is possible.

Answer 10

Tell the mom to quit her job and raise the kids while the man works.