@Virginia – nope, it is not a wise use of resources to have an extremely highly paid woman with specialized skills taking time away from work to do housework and errands. If she enjoys these things, great. But if it’s just that someone has to do them…there are other options.

@Nicole – our childcare costs aren’t really deductible either. There is an amount you can deduct but it is a small proportion of what care costs. I can’t claim it as a business expense – it’s all rather curious. I can spend crazily on a business trip and deduct that but not the childcare that allows me to travel in the first place!

Hi Laura! Been following for a couple of years, and an Aussie. I have been very inspired by your approach. I think one of the huge disconnects in the approach between Australia and the US comes from the tax treatment of childcare. I have ended up getting a nanny due to various health issues of my children and I am fortunate that I work from home. But my nanny costs are not tax deductible and are really expensive. I am willing to do it because it will keep my career going, it is flexible and I earn decent money (although a lot of it goes to the nanny!). However this makes getting a nanny unattainable and a waste of time for most Aussie women. Childcare centres come with many germs and is unreliable in my experience. So many mums end up looking after the kids, because that is what it is supported in Australia… If you could tax deductible nanny costs I think there would start being different approaches in Australia. My thoughts anyway!
Nicole

Yes, yes, yes. We have many friends in dual-physician families. When the woman’s field is felt to be “less intense” or she chooses to go part-time, guess who is stuck with laundry, Target runs, and sick days?

I don’t want to take days off to shop at Target.

Exactly, Laura – that’s the one that was my favourite too 🙂 I left a comment over on your photographer’s blog.

@Erin – thank you. And congrats on doing 3 sessions of week of German. Yep, that’s a habit!