What do you do for childcare?

[hiddenhelper]

Just wondering how other people handle getting work done with children underfoot. My boys are just-turned-four and just-turned-two. Right now they go to a sitter two mornings a week (8 hours total), in the fall my older one will be going to preschool three afternoons a week and I'm hoping I can do some work while the older one is in preschool and the younger one naps. Other than that I do work in the evenings, sometimes while my husband watches the kids and sometimes after they go to bed. I'm also guilty of working while my younger one naps and my older one watches TV or plays computer games. I should also mention that I only work part time, usually about 12-15 hours a week. I plan to increase the hours I work as my children are older, to be working during school hours when my oldest is in first grade and I'll put my youngest one in full-time preschool.

For those of you that have young children, do you use any childcare? If so, how often? How many hours do you work a week? If your children are awake, what are they doing while you're working?

I'd love for anyone to share how they balance children and work. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks,
Lauren

[Lori]

Hi Lauren!

I always meant to reply to your post and never got back to it... :oops:

Possibly because I'm not the 'best' person to give advice here :D My kids are on my lap a good portion of the work day. Totally unprofessional, I know.

What I've come to understand over the past couple of years is that it's better to take breaks when they are borderline cranky.

A five minute break, completely away from the office can change the whole mood in our house. Whearas if I had tried to keep working I would spend a half hour TRYING to work - and the kids would just progressively get crankier.

One of my best friends does PR from home and is in a 6 digit revenue. She's got a nanny... :yup: I never thought I would use a nanny - but the longer I stay in business the more I realize how awesome it would be. The kids would get quality attention and yet I'd be right here for them all day long.

I don't think I'll be affording that any time soon ;)

Lori

Just wondering how other people handle getting work done with children underfoot. My boys are just-turned-four and just-turned-two. Right now they go to a sitter two mornings a week (8 hours total), in the fall my older one will be going to preschool three afternoons a week and I'm hoping I can do some work while the older one is in preschool and the younger one naps. Other than that I do work in the evenings, sometimes while my husband watches the kids and sometimes after they go to bed. I'm also guilty of working while my younger one naps and my older one watches TV or plays computer games. I should also mention that I only work part time, usually about 12-15 hours a week. I plan to increase the hours I work as my children are older, to be working during school hours when my oldest is in first grade and I'll put my youngest one in full-time preschool.

For those of you that have young children, do you use any childcare? If so, how often? How many hours do you work a week? If your children are awake, what are they doing while you're working?

I'd love for anyone to share how they balance children and work. If you have any tips, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks,
Lauren

[Ravish30]

Hi Lori,

Luckily for me....my daughter is now age 19 so I dont have daycare expenses!

When she was younger and I worked out in the hospital daycare was enormous so I switched my hours to 3-11pm and hubby worked day time.

I am so glad that I quit the corporate world! Now I have a great home business and I hired my 19 yr old to help me part time while she is in college.

Shelly

[msangelamt]

Hi Lori!

Have you thought of joining a Mom Group in your area?

I'm an MT student and have joined forces with some of the other Moms in my area. We trade off with each other for child care services. Some of the Moms go shopping and run errands. I myself am doing school work. For now that is.... One day I'll join the Moms at the mall! :lol:

Hope this helps!
Warm regards,
Angela
MT Student
www.mtacc.net

[smbwallace]

Well, this discussion is a year old but I still wanted to reply! The last four years of my time as a writer/editor at a local newspaper was spent with my children in the office with me. If I was there, they were there, and that was about 30-35 hours a week.

I've been on my own for two years now, and I just tote the kids with me when I have appointments or try to keep them entertained while I work at home. They're both in school now, but when they're out for breaks or whatever I take them with my on my appointments. When I MUST work on the phone when they are home (believe me, I schedule this work for when they are not around during school time!) I pop in a long movie and they know the drill about staying in the room, bieng quiet, etc.

Something else I do sometimes is I take my phone, laptop, notebook and pen into a bedroom (my office is up front in the middle of all the hubub of the house since the kids are small) and leave the rest of the house to the kids. I give them activities or even the computer and let them have at it for an hour or so with strict instructions not to bother me.

They are 6 and almost 4 now, so they probably won't tear the house down in that time span. Never know about that youngun' though!

Every once in a blue moon I leave them with their grandmother for a couple of hours if I have to do something that just doesn't lend itself to kids underfoot.

But mostly I just tote them around with me and make no apologies about them being there.

I know I have a rather unique situation and not everyone can haul their kids around with them or work with them around. I really appreciate being in this situation.

[smbwallace]

By the way, Lauren, how is this going for you now? My older child is now in first grade and the younger one is in preschool. Your work schedule sounds remarkably similar to mine.