Quality of life on one income?

Question

My husband and I made the difficult decidion that I will stay at home with the baby. I do have a small income from at-home work, but mostly we rely on his salary. What are some things I can do with the baby that will not cost much or any money?

Answer 1

Staying home with our boys has been the best (and sometime hardest) decision we've made. In my area I'm like a queen of finding free things to entertain kids.

Here are some:

Libraries. They have Story Times and books, videos, tapes, sometimes special shows like magic shows or puppet shows.

Bookstores often have story times too, but be warned that it's easier (and more fun) to check out a dozen books from the library than to have to leave empty handed from a bookstore.

Parks and Rec. Check not only your town, but the nearby towns too. We have free concerts in the park, some super water fountain parks, crafts, games, and things like Global Kids Day. Go online or to your city office.

Pet Stores are really fun to visit.

My boys like to visit Toys R Us. We explain that we are not buying this trip and teach them to touch gently. They have fun looking around.

Nearby Farms are a fun trip when the Little One is a bit older. Some of the larger Fruit and Veggie Stands have areas set up for little kids, sometimes with petting animals.

Find out about tours of regional businesses. We've toured the cheese factory, Hershey plant, Home Depot, Lowes, several grocery stores, Costco plus some local businesses.


Regal Theaters does free G & PG movies on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings during the summer nationwide. Check online for details near you.

Playgroups. I saw you posted about starting a playgroup. You could post a flyer at the library, church or places where you go. I would however not try to re-invent the wheel. Join MOMS Club or MOPS. They have LOTS of activities that are included in the cost of membership. Great way to meet mom friends, too.

Local attractions like county muesums and historic monuments are interesting for you, not so much for baby-YET.

Volunteer. Find something you want to give your time to that will allow you to bring Jr. When Baby gets older, you'll be teaching the value of giving.

Make your own Play dough.

Splashing pools are lots of fun and totally worth the $10 or $15 they cost. Later you can change from water to a bag of sand or rice to play in when it's too cold to get wet.

When Baby is a little older McDonalds is really a santuary on rainy days. Sometimes, we just get an ice cream or a drink instead of whole meals which is not a good use of your resources.

Our mall has a pretty neat playground that's totally enclosed. We walk a few laps around the mall, then they play while I read or do some paperwork.

We have places that have mini golf, arcades and INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS! Once a week they have $1 or $2 mornings. That's really fun for them.

Hope this helps. You're making a great sacrafice and your child (and you) will be blessed because of it.

Answer 2

Living on one budget doesn't have to be such a bad thing. Most are used to always having that extra cash to spend. Living on
one income just means you have to budget better. Which means eating out less, not spending money on items that you really don't need, etc. As long as the bills are getting paid than you don't have a problem. Just b/c you no longer have that extra money to spend doesn't mean that you can't have fun. Go to your local park to get out of the house.Visit the library and check out some books. Your baby is never to young to start to read to. There are tons of baby board books and you might find something for yourself as well. Like to meet other moms and share experiences w/ each other?
There are bulletins in the libraries,malls or newspapers for mommy support groups. Since your baby is still little your more than likely to stay at home. Just give your baby love and attention.

Answer 3

It depends on what you like to do. Many libraries or community centers offer free story times and/or activities. This is a great way to meet other parents too.
You could also get out and walk in a local park.
Some malls offer mom's groups that walk the mall before the stores open. Great for exercise and socializing.
Does your community offer Early Childhood classes through the school district? These classes typically offer time with parent and child as well as a time when the parents meet without the children to discuss parenting issues while the children are supervised by licensed teachers.

It does take some effort to find good cheap or free programs but it is definitely worth it. Good for you for choosing to raise your baby!!!

Answer 4

I think income is a large determining factor...up to a point. There is a threshold above which the influence of income becomes less important. We all need enough money to free us of the stress and worry about where our next meal is coming from, paying the rent, basic health care....that sort of thing. We can discuss where that threshold lies, and how many luxuries vs necessities one needs to be happy.... but there reaches a point where money takes a back seat to other things. I've often wished I had more money. Then I look at richer people and realize that I'd like their money but not the lives they have to lead to make that money.

Answer 5

We made the same decision. Where we live, childcare is so expensive it was not worth it for me to go back to work. Sometimes it's tight, but I'm so glad I get to spend so much time with my daughter. Here's what we did:
We started a play group that meets once a week, sometimes at one of the mommy's houses or sometimes elsewhere.
We go to parks, playgrounds, wading pools, libraries (many have storytime for toddlers or pre-schoolers)
We invested in a zoo pass $65/yr, and are probably soon going to invest in a Children's Museum pass. Many of these places are half price or free for quests, so if a couple mommies in your play group have a membership they can get some other members (you) in.
If you want to start a group, check out the free Mommy & Me or new parents support groups in your area. You can often lovate them through your doctor's office local hospitals or birth centers. When you go, just tell the group you want to start a playgroup and I'll bet you'll get some folks who will love to join you.

Answer 6

yeah good for you!! park, zoo membership costs more up front but can provide days of entertainment..try volunteering with your baby, nursing homes love babies, and you will be helping someone at the same time!!
Look for free concerts in the park if you live in a big city..
Babies don't require much, playing at home on the floor is as good for them as being at Disneyland..it is us Mom's that have the problem!!
Take daddy lunch, and have a picnic close by, find other stay at home Mom's that you can socialize with..maybe switch off child care so you can have a free couple of hours for no cost!

Answer 7

In my view it is the right decision.Caring of a babe by the mother is very important.It is the right time to be with the babe and the true love develops between the mother and the baby.The baby of today will be the adult of tomorrow with a good character and a helpful citizen.Don't mind the money of today mind the future of the baby which can be much more costly.

Answer 8

go for walks, play at the park or even in your own yard, make cookies....

I have a 4 year old and a 7 month old. We go to the park to play sometimes. Or in our back yard we have a kiddie swimming pool, swings (and a baby swing), a slide, a sandbox. Both the kids have fun. Sometimes we even go around to local yard sales, that way we don't spend much money, but I let the kids pick something out they want.

Answer 9

I'm a mostly stay at home mom too. I work about 15hrs. a week out of the home but the rest of the time I'm home and we rely on my husband's income.

Anyway, I have 15mo. and 2mo. boys....we play outside in our yard, go to the park, some places have really cheap zoos that are actually really good, kids section at the bookstore (that's a big hit), playgroups in the area.

You'll find fun stuff to do!

Answer 10

This is always a tough decision because families these days are finding it harder and harder to rely on only one income. Good luck. As for things you can fdo with your baby - go for walks outside, go to local parks and playgrounds, set up play dates with other moms at home.