We've posted on this topic before. Deb Ng looked at this question last May when she wrote Do You Need a Mother's Helper?. Judging from the response to my recent post on child care, the topic is still of great interest to a lot of people.
I know that many Work From Home Momma readers have chosen to work from home in order to spend more time with their families. I also know that others choose to use some form of child care during their working hours so that they can better support their family. I think that it's time to revisit the topic.
Below I've listed as many child care options as I can think of. This list could be especially helpful for those readers who are considering working from home or are expecting a child soon. Feel free to add your own solutions in the comments as well as your own experience with any of these options. (Be nice!)
Child Care Options For The Work-At-Home Parent
- No Child Care. Work while your children sleep or play, or when your partner can watch them. There's no cost to this option and your children are never in the care of strangers.
- Traditional Day Care. Traditional day care centers are usually open five days a week. A few are branching out and offering evening or week-end hours. This tends to be one of the more expensive options.
- Home-based Child Care. Many states license home-based child care providers who care for several children (often including their own child) in a home setting. This option does cost money and can be nearly as expensive as traditional day care.
- Swing-shift. Like the No Child Care option, this option allows you to avoid placing your child in the care of strangers. One parent works days and the other works nights so that someone is always home with the children. Since it requires two parents, this is probably not an option for single parents. It can also be very hard on the parent who works nights.
- Nanny or Mother's Helper. With this child care option, you pay someone to come to your home and watch your child while you work. Since your child is the only child being watched, this is likely to be an expensive option. The advantage is that you are close by and can check in on your child often.
- Co-op Child Care. Under the co-op child care method, several mothers take turns watching a group of children while the rest of the mothers work or run errands. This program is usuallly free, although members must take their turn watching the children. If you use this child care method, then be sure to find reliable co-op partners.
- Baby Sitter. If you just need someone to watch your kids for a few hours a day, then you may be able to hire a teen babysitter after school. Many high schools offer baby sitting classes to their students. Call the high school near you to find out.
- Family Child Care. Sometimes an extended family member (often a grandparent) will offer to provide child care so that you can work. This can be a great time for the generations to bond. There are some drawbacks, however. If you use a family member for child care make sure that you both agree on rules to avoid confusion. Also, remember that if there are any problems it may be difficult to "fire" a family member.
- From the Wall Street Journal, Making it Work Without Paid Child Care
- From HomeMomma.com, Creative Childcare Solutions for Wahms
- From The Simple Dollar, Should I Send My Child to Daycare or Should One of Us Be A Stay-at-Home Parent
Leave a comment and let us know.
I don't think there's a right or wrong answer and everyone has to do what works for them. However (and I'm speaking as someone with no children), I wouldn't send my kids to daycare, but I don't think there is anything wrong with people who do.
One of the reasons I really wanted to work from home and was determined to always be self employed is because I was thinking about the future and how I didn't want to have kids and then have to send them off somewhere.
Though I can see why having a helper or babysitter come by sometimes would come in handy.
Posted by: DJ Nelson | March 29, 2008 11:56 AM | Permalink to Comment