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11.10.2008 | 2:11:32 pm | Posted by mummums
By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist
With the presidential election behind us, many are left trying to put the pieces the together and hash out a familial economic plan for forging ahead. With so many unknowns in the future, parents are tending to err to the side of caution when it comes to expenditures. Unfortunately, as MSNBC reports, daycare may be one of the extra expenses parents are forced to cap.
 Mothers from daycare centers across the US report tough financial times have forced them to pay for daycare with postdated checks as well as working night shifts to avoid using daycare. The New Horizons daycare center in Illinois explains that in just 3 months, their daycare enrollment has been cut in half. Some mothers also reported paying more for daycare than their current salaries brought in, thus forcing mums to skip daycare altogether and find work on nights or weekends.
Childcare providers and daycare centers across the US are worried the problem will only get worse. Previously having retained long waiting lists, daycare centers are now scrambling for children. Many are now trying to accommodate changing work schedules and reduced familial income by offering financial incentives and extended business hours. The National Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies reports the cost of daycare for one preschooler can range from $3,380 - $10,787 per year.
Even prior to the current economic crises, daycare costs have been steadily climbing reaching a 5.2% increase between 2006 and 2007. The most recent data available, from 2005, reported that 2.65 million preschoolers attended daycare. This year, the numbers are expected to be bleak as many large companies are being forced to close their doors leaving many unemployed.
What You Can Do
It is healthiest to remain positive and try look at the bright side of things. Although financial planning is individually based, helping your children understand what is going on is something everyone can do. Seattle Times columnist and child development specialist Jan Faull offers some poignant advice for this situation explaining that it is best to brief and honest when discussing adult woes with children. Children can pick up on parental stress even if financial changes haven’t directly affected them. A conversation is definitely needed if changes will directly affect kids like leaving their friends at daycare or having to change schools. Explain the situation without overwhelming your child with complex information, and always try to keep positive putting forth a resilient attitude.
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The Baby Mum-Mum blog discusses everything to do with babies and parenting with
a focus on child health and child development. Baby Mum-Mum is a healthy, easy
to digest baby rice snack that is enjoyed by babies and mothers around the
world for its portability, gluten free ingredients and great taste. Baby
Mum-Mum is a division of Want-Want Holdings, a manufacturer of healthy snack
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