I am expecting a son in November. My daughter is 4 and attends a part-time co-operative pre-school. I work as a high school teacher, supposedly part-time, but I'm sure I've put in 40 hours in the past week. I'm exhausted,.
I was hoping to take maternity leave from November to Mid-March, however, my district is telling me that the contract states extended leaves should end at the semester breaks -so I'd need to eihter come back in January or stay out the rest of the year.(I don't qualify for FMLA b/c I'm part-time. They're under no obligation to give me 12 weeks off). If I came back at the start of 2nd semester my baby would be just 8 weeks old, which isn't really an option in my mind.
We would be going into serious credit card debt if I just stayed home and didn't work the rest of this school year. I figured if I took care of another baby 20 hours a week, we could at least cover our expenses. This is a radically different idea for me. And I don't know if it's realiistic. The only childcare training I have has been caring for my own daughter. Is it realistic to expect that I would find another baby to care for in my home 20 hours a week? We have a large enough home. I will have my 4 year old home with me as well as my son. I was planning to ask for $10/hour.
What do you think? Is there demand for SAHMs to care for infants in Central Seattle?
I am kind of disturbed by the last comment that I should just "suck It up" -I'm afriad I wasn't clear enough. I wasn't planning to try to take care of an additional child until my baby is 3-4 months -so it would be about 6 months until I had to go back to work. A friend suggested I should just take care of another child as if that would solve all my problems -and the reason I asked was specifically b/c I wasn't sure it was very realistic. -So thank you for the input. I alwayas try to be very nice to people when I respond. We're obviously asking these questions b/c we're in need and we don't need to contribute to people's stess. I'm off to L&D -perhaps going into labor riight now, @ 34 weeks, which if so I suspect is due to wokring a very stressful, physically demanding job. AND I don't think anyone should HAVE to go back to work @ 6 weeks. I think our country is really backwards in this way.
Go to care.com or sittercity.com
People are always looking for in home care, and are usually willing to let people bring their kids with them. You would probably have to go to their home, but still. It's a job.
I was noticing your asking price. You are wanting to charge 200 a week for part time, temporary care? I don't think you're going to find anyone to jump on that.
Off-the-wall idea . . . how about tutoring for homeschoolers and high-schoolers after school? Perhaps some of your current students (send a flyer home)?
I mention this because I have a much beloved tutor for one of my homeschoolers - she has been with us for five years! In fact, she started with us while my son was still in school.
You might be surprised how in demand tutors can be. Some families might not mind a small baby either (I wouldn't).
I wouldn't recommend another infant, but a child closer in age to your daughter instead. I think caring for two infants will be difficult with your own newborn. But, a friend for your daughter will help keep them both entertained. And, you will probably have more to choose from in that age bracket. Congrats on the new baby.
I live in Central Seattle. I have a nannyshare where my baby and another baby is watched by a nanny in either of our homes. We began before they were 5 months old, so a little older than your little one. We each pay $8.50 per hour for full time care. When we began our nannyshare, our nanny who has a lot of experience in childcare, had a rough couple of weeks getting used to the babies, getting them used to her and getting them on a similar sleep pattern. This was without having an older child around.
What you are looking at is basically a nannyshare with 3 children, 2 of them yours and of very different ages and needs. I definitely think there is a desire to have a SAHM watch kids in Central Seattle, but I think $10 sounds a bit high especially since you will be caring for both of your children in addition to another. Also, to pay for care for 3 kids would be about $18-20 an hour, you're looking at about $6-7 per child. Would you also need to travel with the other child back and forth to your daughter's school? Do you need to volunteer at the school and if so, do the babies come with you?These would be factors in whether I would leave my baby in your care.
Have you considered offering a mommy respite? You could offer to have different moms drop off their baby for a couple of hours (at different times, of course), so they can have a little time to do what they need. You may find several mothers that are willing to pay you $10 an hour for 2-3 hours a week, as opposed to one for 20 hours.
When you do decide, there are a lot of yahoo listservs that may be very helpful in finding another child. CapitolHillParenting, MadronaMoms, BallardMoms, Columbia City Parents, Mt. Baker Parents, etc.
Did you work at least 1250 hours in the past year? If you're working very many 40 hour weeks, that might have pushed you over, and that makes you eligible for FMLA.
I wouldnt want you to watch my baby when you all ready have your hands full. Just my 2 cents. I think the tutoring idea is great!
I was thinking along the same line as Meredith... from what I understand of FMLA, if you've worked at least 1250 hours in the past year, you are eligible for protection up to 120 hours per rolling year, under FMLA... I'd look into that first. I'm part time also, and I'm eligible for FMLA as I work over 1250 hours in a year.
It can be hard to find someone that is willing to do a temporary situation. But sometimes the parents need temporary care and they are afraid to tell a provider the truth for fear the provider won't take them. If you advertise very clearly for several weeks in advance,...well as much time as you have... You may find just what you need.
However...I'd like to give you another perspective... In my personal opinion, there is a very big difference between putting a baby in are at 8 weeks and 12 weeks. At 8 weeks the baby is still figuring out a lot of things. The baby is not so attached to mommy only yet. The baby will bond quicker with the provider. The baby won't cry very much, if at all when mom leaves and will likely NEVER go through a serious separation anxiety, even later.
But at 3 months, the child is so used to mommy now. More of their personality is coming through. They are staying awake longer. They are more nervous in the new surroundings and it's harder to bond with the provider.
I talk with providers all over the world. I've noticed that providers with very young babies tend to keep them for years. My favorite and most lasting memories of children in my 25 years are always with my babies I started at 8 weeks. But not just them as babies... I mean that they are like my own grandchild or niece or nephew.
3 months is just harder. If I was going to put my child in daycare, I'd want them to have every single chance to be comfortable and happy and at ease with the caregiver and to develop a long lasting relationship with them.
I am not sure if you will be able to get $10 an hour in your home. That is more of a nanny rate in that child's home. I have an licensed in home daycare and the rates aren't that high. If I were you I would start looking. It can't hurt to try and find another child to care for. Does it need to be a baby? If I were you, I would try and find someone around four years old. This is an easier age to care for and your older child would have someone else to keep her busy while you care for your newborn and yourself.
I would like to add a little more to my answer after reading everyone else's reponses. I think some of them were harsh. There is nothing wrong with you wanting to take time during your baby's first year to bond with them. I hated how someone wrote, "We all wish we could stay home but few of us can because we want what's best for our families so we work." It made no sense. Not everyone wants to stay home with their children and not enough people do what they can in order to stay home. In no way do I agree that you should just leave your brand new baby with a stranger and I have an in home childcare! You need to do what is in your heart is best for your family that does not mean that you are not appreciating your job in a tough economy. If you want to ask more about childcare, feel free to write me. I went back to part time childcare in my home when my fourth baby was a month old. You can take quality care of other people's children and yours at the same time.
I'm just not sure you could get $10 an hour. Not that the care isn't worth it, just that the field doesn't support it (and most parents can't afford to pay it). Good luck if you can juggle it all. I'm a mess after a baby, so I couldn't do it, but you know yourself best :)
Congrats on baby #2!
Do you have any neighbors that need after school care for their kids? Maybe help get them off of the bus? I think its feasible if you are looking after an older child (not another newborn in addition to your little one)
Check out your local Craigslist childcare section to gauge if there is a demand for these types of opportunities.
I would probably consider you for an occasional sitter or "backup", but not a primary caregiver. For me personally having my job depend on someone with a newborn (knowing how often my daughter was sick at that age) and no backup just would not be reliable enough.
On the other hand it's really hard to find flexible part time care for infants in Seattle and $10/hour is really cheap, so I am sure you would find someone who would want to work with you.
My first reaction was "Why don't you qualify for FMLA?" I'm attaching a link to facts on FMLA. http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28.htm
Part-timers can qualify. If your employer qualifies, you've work for at least 12 months for that employer (I don't see that it has to be consecutive), and you work at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 month period, you qualify.
My second reaction was that if someone asked me to pay $10/hr for in home daycare I'd keep looking. There is no way I could afford that. I'd be giving almost my entire paycheck for daycare and I have a pretty good paying job for my area.
IF you can handle, a newborn and your 4 year old ... then well, try it.
Since you are not a formal child care provider... you should look for a child, that is of a friend or relative.
Whoever you do childcare for, can claim you on their taxes, too.
So you have to claim the income too.
I don't know the laws in your State.
You either charge per hour, or a monthly FLAT rate... even if the child does not show up or is absent, they still pay, because you are keeping their 'slot' open. This is typically done.
And you'd need a contract.
And any CPR background and/or rules about your care, additional charges if the parent is late in picking up their child, if you are going to drive the child anywhere then you'd need a "authorization to transport" contract and a form stating you are not 'liable' for things etc.
And where will the baby, nap/sleep?
What about diapers? The parent will provide that etc.
Many things, to consider.
MANY "Moms" do childcare for extra money. But is it also a busy thing to do.
I did that, when my daughter was a Toddler before she entered Preschool and while I was pregnant with my son, up until I was 8 months pregnant with him.
It is not easy. You ALSO... are not able to just go to your own appointments and are home bound. Because you are caring for someone else's child. Unless you stipulate that everyday you are taking the kids out. And the parents know that and you have permission to transport their child... AND there is an extra car seat in your car, to do that etc.
It's normal for moms to return to work after 6 weeks so I think you should be happy with the 8. I also don't think taking on another baby while on maternity leave isn't wise. You should use the time to develop a routine, sleep when you can, bond, etc. Even daycare providers take maternity leave.
Wow, I would consider you a Superwoman if you were able to handle a newborn, a baby, and a 4-year old! Especially after being up multiple times per night with the newborn... Could you do it...perhaps Would it be helpful for your sanity and your health...maybe not.
I don't blame you for not wanting to leave your baby at only 8 weeks! It's hard to do! If you want to stay home with him, and the only way you can afford to do that is to watch another child then you'll make it work! What about moms who are bringing their 3rd baby home.... they just make it work. You'll do great! :o)
