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I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 5 years but we’re struggling to get by on my husband’s $80K salary — does it make better financial sense for me to go back to work and pay for day care?

Emma Caplan-Fisher
Jul 14, 2025
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Many stay-at-home moms barely managing month-to-month find themselves weighing whether a part-time job or going back full-time (and paying for day care) makes more sense.

About 26% of U.S. mothers are stay-at-home parents, with the majority saying it’s because they have to take care of the home or family, according to Pew Research.

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Child care costs are possibly a major factor. According to Care.com’s 2025 Cost of Care Report, the average parent spends 22% of their household income on child care.

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Last year, nearly 60% of parents spent at least $9,600 on child care.

With day care expenses per week for two children averaging about $598, it's no wonder your dilemma is far from uncommon.

How to make the right choice for your family

Nobody said this would be an easy decision, but making some key considerations will likely ease the process.

You can look at the average weekly rates for child care (nanny, day care, family care center, babysitter) here.

Start by defining your family’s financial goals. Are you trying to pay down debt? Save for a home? Build a college fund? Your decision should align with these priorities.

For example, if you're breaking even with day care and gas expenses from a full-time job, but that job has upward mobility or long-term benefits (like a 401(k) match), it may still be worth it.

Also, consider your child care options and availability. In many areas, day care spots are hard to come by, especially for infants or toddlers. If grandparents or other relatives can provide support, that could tip the scales in favor of part-time or even full-time work.

Then, there’s the emotional load to factor in. Rejoining the workforce after years at home is a major adjustment, especially when combined with managing a household and child care.

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If the idea of rushing from day care pickups to dinner to emails sounds overwhelming, it might be smarter to start small and check your bandwidth before diving into a full-time role.

You can always try a "test-the-waters" strategy. Look for part-time jobs, contract work or even remote roles with flexible hours. This allows you to rebuild skills, close resume gaps and ease the transition, without fully committing to the demands of a 40-hour workweek and full-time day care.

Ultimately, the decision doesn’t have to be permanent. What works for your family today might change when your kids start school or if your financial situation shifts. The key is to weigh both the financial and emotional return of your work, not just the numbers on a paycheck.

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Part-time vs full-time work: What really pays off?

So, what actually pays off, part-time or full-time work? The answer is different for everyone, but here are some pros and cons of each route.

Part-time

  • Pros: More flexible / family time, lower day care costs
  • Cons: Less income, fewer career advancement opportunities
  • Potential earnings: A $30 per hour part-time role (20 hours per week) earns about $2,400 gross monthly; after 15% taxes, about $2,040. Subtract part-time child care.

Full-time

  • Pros: More income, more career advancement opportunities
  • Cons: Less flexible / family time
  • Potential earnings: A $40 per hour full-time job (about $6,400/month gross) nets $5,440 after 15% taxes. After day care for two children ($2,400/month), this nets about $3,040.

Working fewer hours means more family time and reduced child care costs. That said, part-time work offers limited income. Plus, part-time work may not hold steady employment benefits or career advancement.

On the other hand, full-time work brings higher earnings that potentially offset day care bills and contribute to long-term financial goals. However, with that comes longer hours, stress and inflexibility typical of many full-time jobs.

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Emma Caplan-Fisher Contributor

With a writing and editing career spanning over 15 years, Emma creates and refines content across a broad spectrum of industries, including personal finance, lifestyle, travel, health & wellness, real estate, beauty & fitness and B2B/SaaS/tech.

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