Struggling with a single household income of $80K, this stay-at-home mom asks: Should I return to work and pay for daycare, or stay at home?

Families with stay-at-home mothers may find it increasingly difficult to manage month-to-month on one partner's salary — leading to questions about whether she should get a part-time job, or if returning full time and paying for daycare makes more sense.

A 2025 Statistics Canada survey highlights a disproportionate balance between the number of single-income families and those with dual-earners: As of 2023, there were 1,519,480 single-earner male families, 802,400 single-earner female families and 5,460,870 dual-earner families across the nation.

However, for those women who are driven by desire or necessity to return to the workforce, childcare costs can be a significant obstacle, especially if the salary hasn't been significantly adjusted for inflation. Government initiatives are helping create a more equitable system for Canadians, with eight out of the 10 provinces and territories now offering regulated childcare for an average of $10 a day or less, while the remaining four have seen costs drop by 50% or more.

Given that many Canadians are experiencing a cost of living crisis, it's no wonder why the dilemma of whether to return to work for stay-at-home moms may seem increasingly urgent.

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 of deciding whether to stay at home or return to the work force.

Start by defining your family’s financial goals. Are you trying to pay down debt? Save for a home? Build a college fund? Just subsist and not incur too much, if any debt, if you stay on leave? Your decision should align with these priorities.

For example, if you're breaking even with daycare and fuel expenses from a full-time job, but that job has upward mobility or long-term benefits, like an RRSP match, it may still be worthwhile.

Also, consider your childcare options and availability. In many areas, daycare spots are hard to find, especially for infants or toddlers, and especially if you're looking for a subsidized spot. If grandparents or other relatives can provide support, that could tip the scales in favour 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 childcare. On the other side of that coin, is the emotional toll of returning to work early and sending your child to daycare earlier than you hoped and planned.

If the idea of rushing from daycare 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.

It also might be helpful to use 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 daycare.

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, rather than just the paycheque.

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

If you've decided to go back to work in some capacity, but can't decide if you're ready to go back full-time or part-time, here are some pros and cons to consider:

Part-time

Pros:

• Flexibility
• More family time
• Lower daycare costs

Cons:

• Less income
• Limited daycare spaces
• Fewer career advancement opportunities

Full-time

Pros:

• More income
• Career advancement opportunities

Cons:

• Less flexibility
• Less family time

Ultimately, the answer will be different for each person and each situation. Weighing what matters most to you and your needs, personally, professionally and financially, will help guide you to make the best possible decision for your family.

Sources

1. Statistics Canada: Single-earner and dual-earner census families by number of children (Jul 18, 2025)

2. Government of Canada: Toward $10-a-day: Early Learning and Child Care (Mar 24, 2025)