How Much Are Your Children Worth?

With the economy in the toilet, it is not uncommon for families to save where they can. But shame on you if what you are cutting down on is the money you pay to your childcare provider. Whether it is a nanny, babysitter, daycare, or preschool program, it is reprehensible to attempt to skimp and save there, even if times are rough.

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So many parents are trying to negotiate down without realizing that in the end, they are only hurting their children. Put aside the fact that a nanny needs to make a living, or that a daycare provider has expenses of her own. Just concentrate on the fact that you are seriously considering getting a nanny off of Craigslist that only charges $5 an hour. I get that you are struggling, but you are honestly going to trust your children with someone who only values their care at $5 an hour??

HELLO! The people who charge that little are either around the age of 14 or are without any experience. It really ticks me off when parents who only want to pay BELOW minimum wage for the care of their children still maintain their date nights or their hair appointments at the fancy salon down the street. Are you seriously telling me that those things are worth more to you than your children?

I have been fortunate enough to find families that pay top dollar for the care of their children, and let me tell you, it makes all the difference in the world. In most cases, parents who pay more are the ones who wait for me to tell them all about their kids' days, as opposed to rushing me out the door once they get home. They are also the ones whose kids know they can call at any time during the day, no matter where their parents are, to check in. It may be a monetary value, but you can definitely tell the level of care.

So just remember, you get what you pay for, so pay well for the care of your children.