I didn't read all of the responses so sorry if this has already been mentioned, but how about working at a daycare? I know daycares are crazy expensive. My friend works at a daycare and says a lot of moms work there so they can get a discount on the price and at least this way they can still spend the day with their kid. I know it's not the ideal job, but it might be worth looking into. I feel for you, I know if I had a baby it would kill me to have to work so I totally get where you're coming from. Hopefully it's only temporary and things get better for you!

I used to work for a daycare in town. WORST time in my life so far. The women were horrible, always trying to get someone fired and cause a ruckus. The kids were cute but after 8 hours of four crying sometimes screaming babies I was spending more a week in therapy than I was benefiting from working there. it was a HORRIBLE experience that I will never repeat. If i do babysit it will be privately where I can love the kids MY WAY and if I need to set someone's baby safely in a crib and get some quiet time I can do that and take a breather. i will never work 8 hours stuck in a room with more than a couple infants where my boss can yell at me if the child is having a fussy day (normal for some babies)

anyways childcare myself is not an option. i'll love on my child, but I'm not sure I'll ever want to care for another person's child again. the therapy wasn't so much for the kids making me nuts as the other women i was forced to work with who were the world's most horrible people not kidding, but i'm not sure it's for me to be a babysitter at all.



THANK YOU ALL for the advice and encouragement I need to know that staying home is the best choice for me and that it will all work out with time and patience. i've learned a lot about couponing and jobs that might help out. i also joined a church group today with dh that is a 20 and 30 marrieds group so it's younger and better suited for our situation and there were three other full time moms in the room so i'm hoping to really get to know them and to learn from them as well.

I stayed home when the girls were little. Never had money lol

I worked in a pre-school for one year when Amy was 3 and I wanted her to have social experience... for me it was a wonderful experience. It had an educational focus so it was great.
I also watched children in my home. I did not like that too much because I felt the parents were always late and did not see how that effected my life.
When the youngest was 3 1/2 I started teaching. I was lucky because I got off at 2:30 and brought my papers etc home. I left for work at 5:30 but dh pulled mornings. I was home for all vacations and holidays. I was the girl scout leader, cheerleader mom, soccer mom, etc It was great. I was always short on money but rich in life.. the hard part is we lived in a very upscale neighborhood so I could never keep up with the Jones!!!

So .. you will be fine. Think ahead about what you want to do when your baby starts school - it will be here before you know it. Please don't wish your life away... enjoy here and now!