It pays to spend more for convenience

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need child care for our daughter.

But we’re living in anything but a perfect world. So instead, we’re OK spending a little bit more for convenience.

The impending opening of a new child care facility in the former Judge Haynes Elementary building will give Portland a boost in its need for more child care. More than 200 miles north, us Saginaw and Mid-Michigan residents are feeling the same pressures — there just aren’t enough vacancies.

Our search for future care began with an inquiry on Facebook months before Baby Schanz was even born. The suggestions came pouring in, only making our search for the right fit more difficult.

Whose input do we trust? Which place is the cheapest? Which is closest? Which has more benefits? Are there even any openings?

Our first criteria in choosing a place was the price. Sure, as the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for,” but we needed to be certain we weren’t overpaying for care  — and could actually afford it.

I was on a hybrid work schedule in that our six-member marketing department only had to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Chrissy and I were looking for something that could accommodate my schedule and only have outside care two days a week.

The first place we looked at together was about 15 minutes away from where we lived in Saginaw, and it was on the way during Chrissy’s commute to work. It was in an older building — much like Judge Haynes — and the interior showed its age. We weren’t sold on it during our tour based on our first impression.

The second location came highly recommended by one of my closest friends, Bri. Her input was one I could certainly trust; I’d put my family in her hands if I had to.

This place would have added 10 to 15 minutes to my morning commute. Because of scheduling, Chrissy went on the tour without me. Her feelings from the tour put this location at the top of our short list of places. And we were content with it staying there.

Our search was over. 

Or so we thought.

As I left the office and walked toward the parking lot one day after work, a new sign appeared at the building across from our office.

It was a child care center, a second location for an outfit in the nearby small town of Frankenmuth.

Construction crews had been in and out of that building for months with not a single inclination of what would be making it its new home.

Chrissy made a phone call, set up a tour, and I met her there one day during my lunch hour.

Could we be so lucky?

We hadn’t even finished the tour, nor did we know all of the benefits and amenities, but Chrissy looked at me with a gleam in her eye and whispered, “This is the place.”

Diapers are included with tuition. Food will be too (once our child gets to the age of eating solid foods) as they have an on-site kitchen. Compared to where we first envisioned taking our child, it costs $10 more per week.

But did I mention it’s literally across the street from where I work?

Say less!

The only “issue” with the place is it has a three-day minimum. But adjusting my work schedule to be in the office three days a week instead of two was just a matter of making the drive each Wednesday.

Piece of cake.

This is the eighth week of taking Baby Schanz to day care, and it’s been an absolute breeze. The Procare app lets us know when she has diaper changes, when she eats and when she naps. We get photos and messages telling us she’s in a happy mood, she’s had her first nosebleed or experiencing her first rash.

It’s been nothing short of amazing.

I can make a sacrifice or two to save $10 per week to ensure our baby gets the best care while we’re at work. Maybe it’s one less lunch out with a coworker, less coffee or fewer afternoon energy drinks.

If that’s what it takes, we can get it done.

Because sometimes it pays to spend a little more for convenience.