[mijojosmom]

While I am not a single foster parent, my husband and I both work full-time jobs.
About daycare...in my state (OR), we do not receive any daycare expenses. What we get is a monthly stipend. For the kids we take (infant - 3 years old). That means a lousy $387 month. We pay a lot out of pockets. Most of these kids need clothes, formula, diapers, wipes, special food, formula etc.
About taking time off - we have never taken ANY time off for a new foster. I believe in having the kids adjust to my schedule not the other way around. Don't get me wrong...we are very loving, affectionate and nurturing parents, but what would staying home really do? Get them used to one routine and then a week or 12 later, make them get used to a totally different one?
Plus...I go to all court hearings for our kids and that alone takes a lot of time away from work. Most of our kids are medically fragile or failure to thrive also, so that means that I have to take time off work to go to doctors appointments, surgeries (and recovery time), doctors appointments at the nearest major medical hospital (6 hours drive away) and time off for early intervention screenings and PT, OT, Speech Therapy, play therapy etc.
I want to encourage you though...it is probably the hardest thing you will ever do...but it can be also the most rewarding thing you do.
At the end of the day...when I put my kids to bed...I know that I have kept them safe and happy for just one more day...and that makes it ALL worth it.
Good luck and enjoy.