Hee hee @ the last couple postings.... you girls are funny.

I wish I could double and triple like some of those above comments.
For one; no, I would NOT discount my fees. And if someone is trying to negotiate them one of two things is happening. Either they are BRAND NEW to the daycare search, and have come at it completely unprepared. Tough nuts for you, I say. OR; they are going to be nickel and dimer's. Tough nuts for you, I say again.
My husband works in financial services, and the unfortunate thing is, shows like Til Debt Do Us Part are NOT really the extreme anymore. I agree that in most situations; people choose what they can afford. A good friend of mine complained to me recently that she couldn't afford something and had to borrow from her mother to buy her kids clothes. This is after she drove to my house in a brand new truck (their second, and she's a stay at home mom, who could probably do without her OWN transport), came in with her GIANT Starbucks coffee (and I know it's not a once-in-a-while treat), slipped off her "Ugg" boots (no "knock offs" for her), and proceeded to tell me that she's never going back to work, because she "just doesn't wanna". **sigh** She then took this borrowed money and shopped at WalMart, right? NOOOOO. She went to the mall and HAD to go to Gap/Old Navy,etc.
Please don't get me wrong; I like brand name stuff as much as anyone. (I loves me shoes...) But I CHOSE to have 4 children, and I want them to play sports, etc. If that means that we don't get brand new everything, I am OKAY with that!!! And because I/we CHOSE to have 4 children, that means that like it or not, I better find a way (until the hubby makes me 6 figures or more, lol) to bring some money into this house, or KEEP the money that is coming in already.
I think what we are all trying to say is that, while we certainly have sympathy for those who are genuinely in tough situations; there are waaaaaay too many that have actually caused the "tough" situations for themselves. And yes, it is ALL about prioritizing.

There, I think that's about enough usage of the caps lock button for tonight. Can you tell this is a sore spot with me, lol??