>>Hope you don't mind if I jump in here...this thread has been very interesting and when I got to this part, it was exactly what I was thinking. I work for the federal courts and my son goes to a daycare in the building and they always need all kinds of things. Another parent recently helped set up 3 computers for the kids, so I'm sure they'd appreciate your help. It would also be a good way for you as a future parent to see what life is like on this side;)
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>Don't mind at all. There's a lot of daycares around here. I'll have to look into that.
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>>By the way, no one mentioned the kid aspect of your contemplated move to independence. I can tell you first hand that having a child wipes out all of your free time and energy (in the first few years at least). I personally think being independant would work better when kids are older (in school). By way of anecdote, though I'm not independant, I've spent a lot of time on my own at home on weekends trying to ramp up in VFP and tryng to meet a deadline for a project. There was a lot of pressure (some of it self-imposed), and I often had a 5 year old running into my 'computer room' wanting to color, glue, asking me when I was going to retire(!). I think many parents will tell they're grateful to be able to 'go to work'. Just something to consider...
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>My problem is that we have no family or friends in the area. I really don't like the idea of leaving my child with a stranger all day. Maybe it's because of the babysitters I had, maybe I watch too much Dateline. At any rate, I'd feel better being a stay-at-home mom.


>On the other hand, I don't want to go without any income. My husband makes enough for us to live on, but we're looking to build a house, and babies are expensive, and losing my income would make things really tight.
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>So I thought I'd compromise by working from home and hiring someone to help. I'd still be there if needed, but wouldn't have to do all the work alone. It seems like a good solution, but, then, when I left home at 17 I had it all planned out on paper how I was going to live on minimum wage. :) My mother loves to remind me about that.

I can understand the appeal of staying at home with kids, and therefore wanting to become an independant (particularly if you're concerned about daycare though I will say that kids are far more adaptable than we adults and I believe good for socialization skills!). But with one exception, nobody addressed the kid issue of your reason to want to go independant. I bet they were either single or childless. The majority of childcare still falls to the woman. And time at home is not the same with kids. You will DEFINATELY have to hire someone to help (and that may wipe out some of the benefit...or at least one your professed reasons for wanting to stay home). But even then, BEWARE! If you're in the house, your kids will find you unless you install a vault (again, personal experience).

One other observation. I don't know where you live. But your salary does seem low to me. You might find another company with more $$$ and benefits and flextime/telecommuting option would serve your purposes. Several of my female colleagues began working 4 days a week after their kids were born, and that seemed to work out really well for them. Hint: the federal courts/government might be a place for you to investigate. The benefits and vacation time are certainly superior to what you have now.



Sylvia

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>So, we'll see how it goes. Who knows what will happen in 5 years? In the mean time, I'll keep learning, keep practicing, and keep saving.
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>-Michelle