Childcare WWYD

LuluP82

I have a 6 month old son. I work from home, full time (35 hours per week) but very flexible schedule. I need childcare from 20-25 hours per week depending on the week. I also travel (with baby) about one week per month on average. (When I go, someone from my family or DH's family goes with me to play with LO while I work).

I had one babysitter quit because she found a full-time position (made perfect sense to me). I then found one with another job, but her hours have recently changed and instead of being available 3-4 days per week, she's available only 2 days. My options are--

1) send DS to a center. I liked the center and have been on the waiting list, infant spot just opened up. I have to pay full-time prices, but it's cheaper than the nanny anyway (works out to $6 per hour, rather than $12 per hour plus nanny taxes that might be due next year). Major con-- it's a 40 minute drive (though it is next door to my gym so maybe I'll work out more? I live in a very rural area, but am from an urban area, so the driving throws me off).

2) hire another sitter to cover the days my current sitter can't come. Cons-- more expensive; I'm only finding people who want full-time work, so likely would have to scramble again.

The pro of another sitter would be I wouldn't have to get in the car to do drop off/pick up (I'd end up spendingi 2.5 hours in the car per day). Obviously the distances are long and gas is pretty pricey. Also, I BF, so I could continue to do that and not worry about pumping. I also only pay the sitters when I use them (I do offer 2 weeks of paid "vacation" as I travel quite a bit). I unfortunately cannot afford a full-time nanny at this time.  

 

vigurl

There is no way I would spend 2.5 hours per day in the car if it is not work related.  I say hire a 2nd sitter.  Hands down. I would even get a 3rd (on call sitter) for back up care when necessary.

MammaBear81

I wouldn't do for a center that was 40 minutes each way, is there anything closer? At $12 for 25 hours have you considered an au pair? If you have an extra room in your house it might be a good option for you (and you don't have to keep track of nanny taxes).  Just a thought, but we get 45 hours of work per week (not that you need that much) and we pay $200 per week to the au pair.  The agency fee is around $7000 so that works out to be about $325 per week for full time care.  You could take them on your business trips if needed and if you have extra hours at the end of the week you can have a night out to yourself without having to pay a babysitter.

If that isn't an option I'd look for a closer center, or maybe a retired person who wants to still work part time as a nanny.  GL

LuluP82

Thanks. I live in a very remote area, which is why the drive is so long. There aren't many people around me with children-- mostly retirees, however, I haven't found anyone wanting to nanny part-time. There is one center closer, but we are waitlisted still.

Thought about the au pair. We don't have an extra room at this time, but we're moving next summer, and that's our plan for next year!

EastCoastBride

vigurl:

There is no way I would spend 2.5 hours per day in the car if it is not work related. 

This.  I almost didn't read the rest of your post once I did this calculation!!