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Working Moms
Daycare vs. home with a friend (long, sorry)
Hi Ladies,
This is my first post on this board and need some advice.
I am going back to work in 2 weeks. My husband and I are both military and we had made arrangements for DD to go to the day care on base. It is 2 blocks from my office and they have 4 infants per adult. They seem very nice and said the would even call me if I want to nurse her during the day. This was a big plus for me, but have since found out that I have very little milk (I pump and get 1/2 oz) and the ped has me supplementing with formula, which the center provides as part of their fee. The drawback is that it is a center, so if she gets sick, we need alternate arrangements and they are open 6-6, but she can only be there 10 hrs a day. My husband and I frequently work longer than that. If she is there >10 hrs, it is $10/15 min that we work over time. Also, as she gets older than 1 year, the center has fewer adults per children and the care seems pretty unstructured.
I have recently had offers from 2 different friends (one of whom is my bosse's wife) to take care of my daughter full time in their homes. I don't know what they would charge, but I'm pretty confident that it would be very affordable. The pros are that it would be a nice, home setting with only a couple other kids, no restrictions for sickness, and our strange schedule would not be a problem...we could drop off and pick up when we need. On the con side, I wouldn't be able to visit during the day because they live off base, we would be tied to their vacation schedule and I kind of feel like I'm imposing. I'd also have to provide formula for DD.
What do you think? Anyone have a similar dilemma when chosing child care?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Daycare vs. home with a friend (long, sorry)
DH and I are also military and DD goes to the CDC. Of course right now we both have day shift jobs, so thats helpful. First thing is....your work centers should work with you on your work schedule VS. childcare schedule. And if they're not, you need to go to your shirts. One of you should always be on a dayshift 0730-1630 for childcare purposes. Or, something close to that. If DD gets sick, than what are you gonna do? you have to leave to care for her and your work center should work with you. some supervisors will tell you to utilize your family care plan, whiCH is BS, thats to be utilized in an emergency situation only, not a " my kid has a fever and cant go to daycare for a day and half". I truly am a family advocate, and believe your family should always always come first, screw the mission, there are always other people there to take over ya know? If I were you, I'd fight your work centers for a more flexible and realistic schedule since you have a child to care for now. I'm fortunate where I work right now, the pace is slow and I work for a civilian who is understanding and lax. However soon enough I will be going back to a fighter sqdrn where my work schedule will be more hectic, but I will still make it clear I have a family to take care of they come first, not the flying schedule. I do my work, and I do a damn good job, but I'm not working 12+ hours a day and crazy shifts.
Ditto this, especially with regards to your boss's wife. What happens if she does something you don't like? I'm not sure I see that going well. You are your boss's employee and then she would be yours? Uh, no. That just has disaster spelled out all over it. Stick with the center and confirm with your boss's per pp's post that you all can work around your childcare needs.
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO