During a virtual tour of a day care, a parent learned that the facility had a nine-month waitlist for part-time care and an 18-month waitlist for full-time care, with an additional $350 fee just to join the list. Given the long wait times and high costs, the parent decided it was impractical and began to consider staying home with their child instead. Two years later, the parent reflects on their decision to become a stay-at-home mom. Initially, balancing work with childcare was chaotic, so they implemented a set schedule when their child was about eight weeks old. This routine provided stability for both the parent and child, allowing for better time management and quality one-on-one time. The structured schedule has helped manage work and childcare responsibilities more effectively, even though it remains flexible.
