WOHM's - What kind of childcare do you use? - Page 2

[teachma]

All of the friends I know who have sought "very part time" nannies have had very bad luck. Unfortunatley, it is common that the nannies with the most experience and the best references are able to find full time positions quite easily, thereby leaving less desireable care providers who take the part time positions. Of course, there are always exceptions, but I've known people to have this issue. Your best bet, if you choose to go with a nanny, may be to share one with a friend or co worker. A few people I know who use just a part time nanny have ended up bringing their children to the home of some other kids who are cared for by a nanny and paying that nanny a little extra to watch their children as well. Nanny sharing is actually really big out here where I live. I still recommend home child care, if you can find a good one, but I thought I'd offer this as well.

[comet]

Dh and I staggered our work schedules for 8 months after my maternity leave ended so that we didn't have to use a sitter for her first year. We're lucky, but work in academia, where the hours are fairly flexible. When she was 14 mos old we started uusing a sitter who comes to our house for 8 hrs/week. Dh andI still do most of the childcare. I work a lot after she goes to bed. She's 16 mos old now.

I found this sitter through our La Leche League. She's great.

[Quirky]

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[Writermom92501]

Does anyone have a story about affordable daycare alternatives?

Hi,

I am a part time working mom (20 hours / week) who is really happy to find this website about working moms and child care. I had a bad daycare experience, and finally went to a "mommy swap" situation when my son was 11 months old. (I found another mom and we swapped caring for our 2 boys.)

I am really fascinated by the subject of alternative affordable child care and interested in hearing stories about other mothers who tried things like Nanny Sharing, or in particular, daycare "co-ops"... Mothering Magazine seems the right place to get a dialog going about this, though I didn't see anything yet about it on any website and can't seem to get the right place to post ?? (I am a newcomer to mothering.commune).
Does anyone out there know of any such websites or anyone who has started their own daycare co-op for children under 2 years old? IF so, can you please email me at [e-mail] or post replies here? I would like to talk to some other mothers about this. Sorry if I'm emailing this to the wrong place, as I said I'm a newcomer at mothering.commune.
THanks!
Writermom92501

[monkeysmommy]

My dd, 25 months goes to a licensenced home daycare 2 days a week. There are things I like about it, and things I don't like.

Things I like:
1. The sitter holds the babies as much they need, as much as she can.
2. She doesn't yell and she uses time-outs very seldom.
3. She is very kind and genuinely loves children.
4. My daughter likes her, and her kids, and looks forward to going there.
5. They go to the park every day
6. It's affordable
7. It's very child-proof and clean.
8. Fun, stimulating toys
9. She is licensed for 8, but she never has more than 4 because she wants to make sure everyone gets enough attention.

Things I don't like:
1. Not enough fruits and veggies are served. Lots of starch.
2. TV on more than I would like
3. I have to use disposable diapers while I am there.

I also trade care with another mama one day a week, and I am happy with that situation. My daughter loves going over there, and for the other little girl to come over. If I wasn't working so much now, I would trade more, but I don't have enough time to reciprocate more than I'm doing.

[Harper]

I have an au pair who lives with us and watches our 16 month old dd. This is our second au pair. I love it. There is always a very bumpy stage at the begining when everyone is getting used to each other but after that, both of my experiences have been positive. I chose this as it wasn't as expensive as a regular nanny but I'm not sure if that is true once you tack on the program fees and education fees and the costs of room and board. I'm not sure. I love it because:
I can see my dd and the au pair interact together on a regular basis. I watched as they got attached and bonded.
I can say no TV and there is no TV.
I don't have to get dd up and out of the house every day.
I can ask the au pair to cook things for her that are healthy and good for her.
They can have play dates with other au pairs and their children.
Dd can learn a second language.
They spend lots of time cuddling, reading, outside, etc.
Dd can nap when she's tired and eat when she's hungry.

Sometimes I wonder if I might not be able to find daycare that I would like as much that might be cheaper but for now, as long as I can afford it (with help from dear grandmother) I will keep getting au pairs. Especially if I have a second as the cost does not increase with two!

[EMZ]

My dh and I have worked it out so that we do not need daycare. My dh works nights and I work part-time during the days. I basically get home and 30 minutes later he leaves. We miss each other, but we love the one on one time that dd gets to share with both her mommy and her daddy. On our one day off, we spend the entire day together as a family.

[Piglet68]

DH and I have swapped working since DD was born. Right now I'm working FT and he's at home with DD. I'm finishing my job in August and will take a year off with this baby while DH works. Then after a year I'm planning to return to work and have DH back at home. Sure, we don't bring in as much money, but we didn't tie ourselves down to a mortgage, etc that is based on a 2-person income.