What do they expect people with infants/toddlers to do?

[Anonymous]

We do have a college kid doing 20 hours. Middle of the day a few days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do have a college kid doing 20 hours. Middle of the day a few days a week.

My son, 17, has this type of babysitting job. He's great for occupying a couple little kids for 4 hours or so but is not up for a full day. Also, not doing diapers.

[Anonymous]

Solidarity. I have a 1 year old and a 3.5 year old. The 3.5 year old will occupy himself most of the time but the 1 year old needs constant attention. My work is suffering/non-existent. Everyone I know that is trying to work and has infants/toddlers at home is at the end of their rope.

[Anonymous]

I think this is one reason that the "open now at all costs" movement is misguided. No matter how we reopen, most businesses (including childcare) will need to put some level of distancing in place. That means lower capacity.

We need a plan for childcare if people are going back to work. I don't know what that plan might look like (maybe a corps of government-funded care providers), but it will take time to enact.

[Anonymous]

The “they” who are keeping daycares closed (health authorities) are not the same “they” who are asking you to come to work (your employer). I don’t understand who exactly you are blaming for this massive international crisis.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

Your inability to understand that not everyone can afford a nanny, for whom you have to pay a competitive rate, insurance, taxes, workers comp, potentially overtime, says A LOT about your privilege.

[Anonymous]

I find this situation so frustrating. No one in any position of power seems to care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

Oh yeah, the 38 million Americans who are unemployed are going to hire a fking nanny.

Fk you, PP.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is a good idea to hire a teenager, even one who is responsible, to watch anyone's child 8 hours a day several times a week. Most teenagers stay in their phones all day and night. It's a recipe for disaster. My 17 year old would not consider it, even for a lot of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

Do you not realize how expensive a nanny is, and how most people can’t afford one? What an asinine comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

And me and my nanny shall eat cake.

In fact, let them all eat cake!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

And me and my nanny shall eat cake.

In fact, let them all eat cake!

Because daycare for more than one child is so affordable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you would not hire a nanny if your kids are not school aged. All the more if you have two or more kids. Heck, I have one five year old and I am thinking of hiring a nanny.

And me and my nanny shall eat cake.

In fact, let them all eat cake!

Because daycare for more than one child is so affordable?

Most people are paying for daycare to hold their spot, so they REALLY can't afford a nanny on top of that.

THINK WITH YOUR BRAIN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ill enact FFCRA if I have to but right now my kid isn't entering daycare until Sept 8th. We were given the choice of June 8th or Sept 8th but we aren't phase 1 employees so we cant utilize the June 8th start date.

We are both WAH and our kid is watching too much TV. If DH gets called back into the office, which is unlikely since he works at a huge fed building and is not essential, then that will be a new sh**storm.

But you are correct, everyone at higher pay or power acts as if either 1) only one spouse works and childcare isn't an issue or 2) you have enough money to pay a nanny or two daycares

The other suggestion I see mentioned constantly is to get a high school or college kid to watch your kid. Ummmm, my kid is 2.5. I am not leaving him with another child for 8 hours a day not to mention a lot of parents may not LET their kids babysit due to the increased risk. Any kid who is able to babysit and has previous experience/necessary credentials (CPR, etc.) is going to get top dollar and see point #2 above. We all cant pay an unlimited amount towards childcare.

Right. I don't understand the notion that there are unlimited numbers of high school/college kids who are:

1. Available for childcare.

2. Willing to care for a kid.

3. Able to do so competently.

Moreover, what happens if we're still closed come September, when those kids will be going back to school (either online or in person)? It's a halfway solution for the summer, at best. Plus, in this area, a babysitter will run you at least $15/hour. So say you need 40 hours/week to cover a standard workweek. Do people honestly have $2400/month to spend on a babysitter, especially given that many are still paying preschool tuition to keep their spot?

Exactly!

My 20 yo college DD lost her internship for the summer due to COVID. A few family friends have contacted her to see if she wanted to be a summer nanny for them. She's declined all offers. She said it's one thing to watch kids for a few hours but another to watch them for 8+ hours each day plus be responsible for them being in the car with her. I thought it was a very mature decision she made. She's going to do some online classes instead.

I know I wouldn't want to leave kids under age 7 with a teen under age 18 for 8+ hours.

Not all college students have the luxury of not working that your daughter has. Many have to work for rent, car payments, groceries etc.