What do you do for childcare if you both work?

Jagraf

Rambosmum wrote: »

We have no family near by so when I return to work after mat leave baby will be in nursery or a child minders fulltime. Not ideal but there are worse things in the world.

Tbh that was my only choice too, but looking back it was the best thing I could have done for my daughter. She loved every minute. If I had to choose family or nursery now I would still do the same - doesnt suit everyone but I don't think its not ideal, it can be a very positive experience.

Very often parents don't see beyond their own guilt to what the child actually thrives on, be it at home or at nursery. Little kids will let you know if they are not happy.

My 16 year old still remembers the fun she had xx

carmina_piranha

Rambosmum wrote: »

We have no family near by so when I return to work after mat leave baby will be in nursery or a child minders fulltime. Not ideal but there are worse things in the world.

My nephews and nieces have all loved their childcare. As you say, there are worse things.

One of my nephews used to ask my sister before school if it was a childcare day, and if it wasn't he would moan! He always loved going there from when he was a baby :T

As for it being a long day, some parents can arrange flexible working so that one has breakfast with the child, and the other picks them up from school, or at least finishes work before 5 - so the child isn't in nursery for ten hours.

determined_new_ms

find a good childminder. I can't recommend it enough! I absolutely love ours, she's been amazing and our lo loves being there with all her friends. It's still small enough for her to have down time but enough little ones for socialisation (she's 2 and the CM employs an assistant and has 6 early years children). I honestly feel like she's part of the family sharing helping us raise lo. I'd pay her double if I could afford it! (is it coming across how much I love her??!) She has a number of school children she has before and after school

PoorCharleyBear

I have managed to negotiate a 4 day week over 5 days, so work 8.30 to 3...home in time for 3.30 pick up.
Husband does morning drop off and begins work around 9am. He is self employed so just refuses work on school hols/we swap with other parents (who are in same boat so it makes sense as long as kids get on OK)/ I take leave/ school has a fabulous holiday programme. So a bit of everything.

AndyBSG

Hedgehog99 wrote: »

Didn't you think about what you'd do before you decided to have children?

Perhaps the OP thought she would do the same as what everyone else does and she is now asking what it is everyone else does... How unreasonable!

duchy

Yes things change - I went back to work part-time when my son was eight months old and the plan was my Mum had him the two week days I worked and my husband had him on the Saturday. Two weeks after I started my Dad literally dropped dead of a heart attack and my Mum had an irrational fear that she would drop dead whilst alone looking after our son and something awful would happen to him. She asked me to make other arrangements -husband then got a much better job which involved some overseas travel which tended to stretch into Saturdays. I had a revamp all my care arrangements. Life changes and you just have to get creative and make it work. Just another of the things about parenthood no-one ever warns you about

walletmoths wrote: »

These ideas are great - and there are quite a few things I haddn't thought of - so thank you very much for your tips.

I get asked all the time about "why didn't I think about it before having kids" and the equally useless quote of "well, you will have twins won't you!" - as if I can choose what nature gave me!!!

In the space of 5 years, things DO change, jobs change, finances change, grandparents get ill, friends move away - and firms you worked at that you thought were good on the family side of things can turn out to be total crap.

But that's enough ranting... we're enjoying life today and planning for the future

Happier_Me

Child minder, before/ after school club either on the school site or private, for the days you/DH can not drop off/collect from school yourselves.

Childminders/ holiday clubs for school hols (expensive though). DH and I tend to split our leave to cover as much of the school hols as possible. We have only just started having time off and actual holidays together in the last two years now family can help a couple of days a week.

Most before/after school clubs run from 7.30/8am to 6pm so you both need to work out a 'childcare run routine'. My eldest is now 10 and DH has always worked 8 to 6 so he has never been in a position to help with any form of childcare (a little bugbear of mine). I work an hour away from home so have to time everything to perfection. My childcare set up would definitely affect a job search for me as this means I am somewhat inflexible in terms of start/finish times.

vroombroom

It's so hard being a working parent.

I worked 8-12 when our boy was little and then just before he turned 3 and starting preschool, I changed to working nights in a supermarket.

I still do this now and also work self employed during the day. It's ok now as he has started school but over the 6 week hols I had to use a childminder. She was lovely and amazing but called in 'sick' three times which effectively meant I lost out on 3 days pay. I prepaid for those sessions too, so it left me out of pocket twice.

In future I'll be using holiday clubs x

dangers

vroombroom wrote: »

She was lovely and amazing but called in 'sick' three times which effectively meant I lost out on 3 days pay. I prepaid for those sessions too, so it left me out of pocket twice.

In future I'll be using holiday clubs x

most childminders I know don't charge if they're sick. You may want to ask her. Did you have a contract with her. If so, and it is a Pacey one, it states about charges for sickness.

DevilsAdvocate1

dangers wrote: »

most childminders I know don't charge if they're sick. You may want to ask her. Did you have a contract with her. If so, and it is a Pacey one, it states about charges for sickness.

I used to be a registered childminder and I don't know any who charged when they were sick. I didn't. However, if the child was sick and couldn't come to me, then I did charge. Most of the time, when the child was sick, I had the child anyway. At one point I was looking after 3 children who all had chicken pox and none of the children were mine!