Should the government assist SAHM's?

[Shainie]

I thought I remember reading something once that Minnesota has some kind of program that gives money to families that has one parent staying home.

I thought I'd look around our state site for that. But I kept coming across work programs, money for parents while they look for work, job search programs, etc.

It seems like the government will do anything in their power to get you back to work, including paying part of your daycare costs.

I've been a working mother for the past 4 1/2 years . . . . as of this coming week I'll be a SAHM. Wouldn't it be nice if the government rewarded us for this choice? Less people on the roads, less latchkey kids, etc.

With the cost of healthcare, I'm surprised anyone can stay home. I don't know yet how we're going to do it . . . but I really want to be home for the next 3-4 years. Until Shane is in 1st grade. Then they don't have to do a after-kindergarten program, or get off the bus at daycare.

Anyway - I wish our government was more family friendly and made it easier for parents to stay home. Instead they'll do what they can to get you back to work so they can take a bite out of your paycheck.

[mrbowler]

It does seem that the government would prefer to have you working instead of SAHM.
Creating more tax revenue & day care centers. I thought someone might find this site useful so I listed below.

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[chippers21]

The cost of good daycare is so high, I am amazed that so many women opt for it. It is not just a financial cost- it "costs" the family unit. Children miss out and parents miss out. I know families get tax breaks for child care, but does it really help that much?
I opted to be a SAHM and I did it for 19 years, not only until my last child was in school, but he was in HIGH SCHOOL when I went back to work. I do not regret it for a minute. I am an outspoken advocate of SAHM's but I shudder to think about even more government interference in our lives. Remember- if the government pays for something it is ACTUALLY you and I that are paying for it. And the government cannot pay for everything unless they take control of all our money. Therefore it is wise to pick and choose wisely what you want the government (i.e. you the taxpayer) pays for.

[Mouse7088]

I have been playing around with the idea of a part time job, BUT I am so picky I did get offered a sub job for our mail person. I told her it SOUNDED great and the $ is nice, BUT I don't wanna do the Saturdays...especially since DH works at least 2 mandatory Sat. per month. I refuse to leave the kids alone for that long of time. I seriously have not done "my part" to teach them to be alone and responsible. I mean...the oldest is 13 and the youngest will be 9 next month..they can be home for the time of a short errand. I just am not comfortable with them being home for hours...altho I did it when I was younger w/ a younger sis to boot. The youngest is the last to get on the school bus...I don't want him having to worry about missing the bus or something jut because he couldn't time his bathroom visit to the second. I couldn't possibly take the sub job and be someone to depend on when I have a family that depends on me and they come first. I could easily take a second shift job...but what's the point in that? Sleep all day and be away from my family all evening?!?! Definitely not for me. I don't have a clue to what it cost just to have a sitter while DH and I go out for dinner...I can't imagine childcare cost. DH said something a little funny the other day when I brough up once again a PT job I had heard of. He said "Ya know...if you did work part time I don't know if we'd know how to act with the extra $." LOL! It's true. We live only within our means and that happens to be VERY simple-like. There are times I wish for more..better, BUT for me..it's not worth worrying about the kids any more than I already do.
I would love to see some sort of tax credit for SAHP.

[mayor]

What we DON'T need are more entitlements. However, I think SAHMs and homeschoolers should get some sort of tax break. We don't need the government taking more of our money and redistributing it. We need the government to let us KEEP more of our own money.

Mayor

[Brenda2000]

I became a SAHM when my second daughter was born 10 years ago.
My kids are now 12 1/2, and 10.
Like Paula, I don't feel comfortable leaving them home alone yet.
My thinking is that when they are old enough to care for themselves at home, such as sick from school, that I'll get a part-time job.
My DH works 24 hour shift work, with 48 hours off (firefighter), but works as a chimney sweep on his days off. He has a BIG promotional test coming up next week for Assistant Fire Chief..and if he gets the position he'll give up the chimneysweeping. (Fingers crossed, but there's lots of competition for the position)
With my kids schedules right now, piano, cheerleading, sports, ect....it'd be hard for me to work, because no one would be around to get them where they need to go.

[mayfly]

Originally Posted by mayor

However, I think SAHMs and homeschoolers should get some sort of tax break. We don't need the government taking more of our money and redistributing it. We need the government to let us KEEP more of our own money.

Mayor

I completely agree. It drives me crazy every year I do my taxes and see that little tax deduction of $300 that teachers may take, but homeschoolers can't.

[ShainaT]

Wow Shainie! Good for you!! I remember you went down to 2 days a week...so now you'll be home full-time??

I don't really find healthcare to be the biggest problem. Before we had my son, both my DH and I had our own single worker plans at our respective jobs. When I left my job after our son was born, we just went on the family plan at his job. A little more money than us each paying for our single plan but not that much different. Plus, we chose an HMO which is the cheapest option around here.

One thing we did when I left work was to cut out vacations. This entire year the only time I have not been at home is the wkend we went to MI to visit family. Last year we went to NY to a wedding and that was it. We used to spend a fortune on vacations but no more.

Good luck! By the way Shainie- you need to update your Ebay thread. What ever happened with that??

[Twinplets]

When our twins were born (while our adopted sone was 5 months old), we had a part-time nanny to help out a fre hours a day while hubby worked, and it was annoying that we couldn't deduct it on our taxes, but if I was working we could deduct the expense. And then a few years later we had the same thing with pre-school costs. I don't remember if that was a deduction, or something we could pay with pre-tax dollars, but either way it only applied to working parents.

I don't necessarily think that the government "owes" us SAHM's anything, other than some equality with child-care and pre-school costs.

And related to an earlier post, does anybody know if states/districts that give "vouchers" or whatever for families sending their kids to private schools also give anything to homeschooling families?

[momof3girls]

Originally Posted by mayor

What we DON'T need are more entitlements. However, I think SAHMs and homeschoolers should get some sort of tax break. We don't need the government taking more of our money and redistributing it. We need the government to let us KEEP more of our own money. Mayor

I agree 100%. I have been at home since our oldest was born 8 years ago. If my husband would be able to keep more of his pay instead of paying so many taxes, we would have a lot more money. Instead, like most people, we live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. It would be wonderful if we could get some kind of taxbreak/incentive to stay home with our kids, but I doubt that will ever happen. It seems that stay at home mom/dads are looked down on by most people and the government wants everyone to work and be a "productive" part of society, instead of raising our kids ourselves.