My husband and I have two kids under 4, both in daycare. Two months ago, the company I worked at was unexpectedly bought out and I was part of a mass layoff. I picked up part-time work immediately, but am still searching for a full-time job. But my husband has been pushing me to quit my part-time job and pull our kids out of daycare to save on expenses until I get a new full-time job.
Money is especially tight because my husband was unemployed for nearly six months earlier this year before getting his current job, and our savings still haven’t recovered. But taking our kids out of daycare feels like a slippery slope—if they lose their spots, it might be hard to go back or find another daycare. Also, it’s hard to network, interview, or even apply for jobs with two little kids at home. My nightmare would be becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom. I’m convinced if I make this choice, I’ll be stuck until they hit kindergarten, at minimum. With some belt-tightening, we could keep the kids at their daycare for at least three more months. But my husband is convinced that keeping them in daycare with a parent at home is wasteful. Help!