WOH with no or minimal childcare

[Rosehip]

I'm looking for stories of how others do this. Currently, I have an au pair. I'm at my breaking point, and I'm planning on getting off this merry-go-round, sooner rather than later.

I live with my parents. My mother is semi-retired (works ~10-15 weeks a year. When she works, she travels so is totally gone, otherwise, she's here). My father works f/t. I do shift work & it's 13 12-hour shifts every 4 weeks, every other weekend.

Having a totally consistent schedule for me is unlikely. Watching the kids for an entire day (nearly 14 hours by the time I commute, etc) is too much for my mom b/c of some health issues.

My oldest is 5 & in extended day kindy. 2 mornings, 3 full days. My LO is 3 & in PM preschool. I'm going to try to sign him up for morning as well, so he'll have both, though there will still be a gap.

When I work weekends, my Dad will be home to help manage the kids, and occasionally they'll be with their Dad.

I'm hoping to eventually find a nanny or sitter for two set days/days a week. Then I will *try* to generally work those days. If I weren't working those days, just use the nanny time to get stuff done, or maybe do a special activity with one kid. But, I don't want this to end up as a huge waste of money either. I'm not a fan of having a sitter/nanny working when I'm home with the kids.

My thoughts are so scattered right now, I'm SO fed up with the childcare nightmares...but, any thoughts? What works what doesn't?

[JElaineB]

Have you looked for child care centers that offer part-time care? I know of several in my area that do, but they do usually require a set schedule (such as T/Th or MWF, or mornings or afternoons only). When DS was very young I was able to find an in-home child care provider that took him only one morning a week. Looking at your state's child care resource and referral website might give you some ideas for places to contact.

[lilyka]

I used to be an in home provider who took kids on your schedule. I was available weekdays and Saturdays and occasional Sundays if you didn't mind me hauling your kid to church. actually I hauled kids everywhere. the store, moms group, library story time.... and could usually watch someones kid with as little as 12 hours notice. I was a pretty laid back set up though. Maybe look around for at home providers who might be able to work around your schedule. I was not a professional licensed daycare. I was just looking to make a little spending money and took kids on a part time flexible basis (it did turn into quite a steady income though.) It was much easier to watch kids in my home.