Childcare questions.. WWYD?

KatieGraceB

So I have gotten an opportunity to audition as a performer for Arabain Nights dinner show here in Orlando. Currently I am SAH mainly because daycare is just way too expensive to make it worthwhile for me to work. But this job would pay more than my old one, and since my call times would be 2:30pm at the earliest, that would cut down on the amount of time that we would have to have childcare covered. I probably won't go completely full time at first just to make sure it's going to work out. SO gets out of work around 6 usually and would pick DS up once he's off. We don't have any family nearby who would be willing to watch DS for us for a few hours. SO has one sister with kids already who might, but she is crazycakes so I'm not comfortable leaving DS with her without one of us present. (She's big on smacks and yelling to discipline her 1yo. Yeah, not doing that.)

So what do you all think the best, most affordable option for us would be? Looking for suggestions on what to look for and where to look for care providers as well. I know basically nothing about daycare and such and have no friggin clue what I'm doing here..

LouiseB2001

Congrats on the audition, is it a dancing show? That could be a cool job. I would look for a part time nanny who you could pay hourly. Not sure what the rate is in Florida but we pay our part time nanny 14 dollars an hour. It looks like between you being home in the morning and SO at night the total amount of care needed is not that bad. I have had great luck with sittercity.com, our last ad gave 40 applicants all of them highly qualified. There are many students who are looking for part time nannying to supplement other incomes (loans etc). When your DS is a bit older you can consider daycare but before 1, I don't think they benefit much from spending all day with other babies (but obviously for some people this is the best option). Good luck with the audition!

KatieGraceB

LouiseB2001:

Congrats on the audition, is it a dancing show? That could be a cool job. I would look for a part time nanny who you could pay hourly. Not sure what the rate is in Florida but we pay our part time nanny 14 dollars an hour. It looks like between you being home in the morning and SO at night the total amount of care needed is not that bad. I have had great luck with sittercity.com, our last ad gave 40 applicants all of them highly qualified. There are many students who are looking for part time nannying to supplement other incomes (loans etc). When your DS is a bit older you can consider daycare but before 1, I don't think they benefit much from spending all day with other babies (but obviously for some people this is the best option). Good luck with the audition!

It's a dinner show on horseback. Arabain Nights I've been on horses since before I could walk, so it seemed like the perfect thing to supplement SO's income and get us a little more comfortable financially. Plus with my experience and skills I have a chance at making some big bucks, at least compared to what I was making before. Plus I've seen the show a million times and have always lusted after a job in the show.

I am thinking an in-home sitter or nanny would be the way to go if we can find one experienced enough for a good enough rate. I am just so nervous about leaving C with anyone who isn't me for longer periods of time. I definitely hate the idea of him being in daycare right now. I'm sure there are exceptions, but a lot of what I hear is that the babies just end up sitting in bouncers all day long with nobody interacting with them. Yikes!

cstyles

I also don't go into work until 2:30 and DH gets home at 6.  We hired a sitter to come in for $10 an hour.  She is college educated, but currently umeployed due to the market, and has decided to go back to school part time.  Do you have any colleges near by?  These hours are great for students.  We advertised at schools with early child hood programs.

Also when you are looking for a sitter just be VERY up front about what you're looking for.  My LO is a screamer/cryer so I let everyone know that I interviewed that he isn't the type of newborn that will be easily pacified.  I also had the sitter come for 2 weeks (probablly excessive) and adjust to LO with me home.  She has been with us for 2 months now and we all LOVE her!  She is very AP style and never is flusttered by LO's hours of screaming. 

LouiseB2001

KatieGraceB:

It's a dinner show on horseback. Arabain Nights I've been on horses since before I could walk, so it seemed like the perfect thing to supplement SO's income and get us a little more comfortable financially. Plus with my experience and skills I have a chance at making some big bucks, at least compared to what I was making before. Plus I've seen the show a million times and have always lusted after a job in the show

That's an amazing opportunity! I have seen the show advertised but never seen one live (went to college in Florida and we went to Orlando all the time). I am crossing my fingers for you.

I also agree with pp that if you find the right person, possibly a student, you will be fine in terms of your wishes for DS. Most potential nannies that I have advertised are prepared to do what I ask them to in terms of comforting and paying attention to them as well as following my rules (e.g. no television).