Mat leave in the US

[Lights 56]

I wish I brought 50k to the table annually. Whatever you do as a home business... sign me the heck up!

My husband is an engineer and builds products for a living. So we've built some products within the photography industry. Right now it's more of a hobby so we haven't made much but we're thinking of turning that into a full-time gig. In the beginning, it'll be tough. We have a partnership with a local manufacturing facility but in order for us to increase volume and margins, we'll have to find another.

Given the right planning, we could probably build this business out to be over 50k a year but it really depends on the manufacturing capabilities.

This just in: http://www.theonion.com/video/report-many-companies-now-offering-women-permanent-37140

More seriously, I hear you. I am in a similar situtation. Average cost of daycare in Mass is 19K, so even with a good income, it is a big chunk of money - and I feel that under 2 years old, there is nothing better than mom/dad or immediate family. Deal is that husband tops my Roth IRA + savings while I am off... which is nothing like Quebec parental leave, but better than a big zero.

Exactly it. It's expensive for day care and it's like you work to afford to pay someone else to raise your kids. Being self-employed, I feel, is my only option to have some flexibility. I control my income and I may have to work harder, but I can be with my kids. Maybe I hire a part-time babysitter or nanny that comes with me? Who knows... but I prefer to be working and shell out some money for a nanny that is with me or looking after my kids for a few hours a day, versus having someone take care of them 40+ hours a week and I end up missing everything.