Child care options for parents that work off-hours

[lowcountrywed]

I work a regular 8:30-5 job, but DH is a restaurant manager so his hours vary and he often works nights (going in at 3 p.m. until 11, 12 or 1 depending on the night). However some days he works 9- 7 (8 or 9) depending on how busy they are. DH usually has 1 or 2 days off during my work week. I will be returning to work after my maternity leave and I'm trying to figure what's the best option for us is. Does anyone else deal with crazy schedules like his? How do you and your DH make it work?

It sound like it could be an ideal situation- our DC will have less time in the care of others, but if my DH is getting in 1 a.m., will he be able to watch him or her when I leave at 7:30-8?

Have any insight?

[eb23sheree]

Do you have 4-C in your area? If you do, you may want to check them out. They are a childcare referral service and they can refer you to some at-home providers in your area so that your little one(s) can be in a home setting rather than a traditional daycare arrangement. You can find 4-C by doing a google search online or can find them in the phone book.

Also if your budget allows it, maybe you could look into getting someone who would be willing to come to your house. If we had the money, that's definitely what we would do but unfortunately it just costs too much for us.

Good luck! I know it's not easy. When we had our daughter, my husband went to second shift working from 3:00 until 12:30 AM and I worked from 6 AM til 2:30 so that we could avoid daycare. We only saw one another for 10 minutes a day and were continuously tired when Olivia would stay up all night crying with colic. Luckily our jobs were understanding enough to allow us time off when we needed it. We realized really quick how much of a luxury sleep really was. :)

[Ohana]

I used to babysit for a couple where the husband was a restaurant manager and the wife was a flight attendant. They found me by posting a job listing at my university's job center. Perhaps you can do the same? If you're close to a college (even a community college), you may be able to find a student to help out.

[PinkGirl]

I don't know is they serve your area, but www.student-sitters.com is a great website. I think parents have to pay $25 to use it. I am a babysitter, not a parent, and have found all of my "regular" families through it (and one family's kids are now my flower girl and ring bearer!).

[lowcountrywed]

Thanks for the advice. I think a college student would be a great idea for when the baby is a little older (say approaching a year old), but I'd be a little nervous about leaving a 13 week old with a college student--I don't know why.

We don't have 4-C in our area, but I'm guessing there must be something similiar. I'll have to check into it.

Thanks!

[jennylou]

lowcountrywed - what about a college student that is majoring in child development? Personally, I think that situation would be okay, though I don't know how likely I would trust just any college student.

[Pookie]

DH is an airline pilot who's gone for up to 4 days at a time. I'm a student. I'm planning to start looking into working again in January. DS will be 10 months old at the time. So far with my school schedule, it's worked out, but been hard. 1 class was on-line, the other DH and my mom watched DS for. Since my mom just had surgery there were a few classes I had to miss. (I know that's not an option for a someone who's working.) Next semester I'm debating between 1 or 2 classes and working about 15-20 hours a week. DH will be able to do some day, but his schedule changes every week. My mom can also maybe do a few hours. I'm trying to find some sort of arrangement for a 1 or 2 a week of daycare. It seems like there are more options for 1 yr and up. So our schedule isn't totally worked out yet, but that's how it looks for us.:)