How do working parents arrange emergency/backup child care?

[Anonymous]

Hey folks. Current SAHM working p/t from home, but starting a new f/t job in a week and I'm nervous as hell. DH plans to take time off for the days our school-aged kids are sick so that I don't incur a ton of leave as a new hire. He has a lot of sick leave saved up so I think we'll be good, but of course I feel like there will be days where he's busy or tied up at work, and I'll need backup childcare. I posted an ad on Care.com but it seems most providers have a few regular clients already & don't have wide-open availability to be called as backup providers. I'd need this help on the days where, for instance, one of my kids has a mild cold or pinkeye and needs to be at home to rest. DH can't work from home, and I can only occasionally telework.

What do ppl do in these cases -- use a nanny service or agency? (I haven't used that option before). Keep looking for a provider that can serve as a backup? (I've only had my care.com ad up for a few days). Or, just ask my new employer to allow me to work from home on the days DH can't cover the kids being sick?

I know most new employers tout their flexibility and family-friendliness, so I probably shouldn't freak out about this, but I'm so nervous about the fact that I don't have two solid on-demand sitters that can help us out in a pinch. My two regular sitters are students and have limited daytime availability. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Working parents likely push limit more and sendbkids to school even when they are sick unless it’s very sick. When very sick, take off, work from home, husband works from home, back up care which is provided through employer, nanny or have a stay at home parent or neighbor watch your child one day. It’s fine.

[Anonymous]

It's even more exciting with multiple kids. The first one gets sick, then they fall like dominos

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have multiple kids and am deeply familiar with the domino effect!!

[Anonymous]

...And that's why I'm freaking out

[Anonymous]

FWIW I don't think most people have solid backup sitters. You just get used to a higher degree of stress and you figure it out as it comes. I've also done things like send kids to school a little sick figuring it gets me part of a day before (or if) the nurse sends them home. Not great, but it doesn't happen much. If I really couldn't miss work I would consider using a service like White House Nannies. It will be an adjustment and feels like a scramble at times, but it does work out!

[Anonymous]

FWIW, a kid with a "mild cold" goes to school!

[Anonymous]

For me, it wasn’t the sickness. Mine really didn’t get sick. It was the snow. Ten years ago, telecommuting wasn’t as common. That’s when DH would fight over who had to cover.

[Anonymous]

White House Nannies has a sick/backup care service.

[Anonymous]

For backup care for well kids, there are KinderCares that do daily rates.

[Anonymous]

I usually try to split sick days with DH (one of us goes in early and returns at noon, while the other goes in at noon and comes back late).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW I don't think most people have solid backup sitters. You just get used to a higher degree of stress and you figure it out as it comes. I've also done things like send kids to school a little sick figuring it gets me part of a day before (or if) the nurse sends them home. Not great, but it doesn't happen much. If I really couldn't miss work I would consider using a service like White House Nannies. It will be an adjustment and feels like a scramble at times, but it does work out!

Nice. So your kids get a chance to get everyone else sick, you don't miss your precious work, and then the rest of us have to scramble for care for our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW I don't think most people have solid backup sitters. You just get used to a higher degree of stress and you figure it out as it comes. I've also done things like send kids to school a little sick figuring it gets me part of a day before (or if) the nurse sends them home. Not great, but it doesn't happen much. If I really couldn't miss work I would consider using a service like White House Nannies. It will be an adjustment and feels like a scramble at times, but it does work out!

Nice. So your kids get a chance to get everyone else sick, you don't miss your precious work, and then the rest of us have to scramble for care for our kids.

This is how I ended up with pink eye for Christmas. -elementary teacher

[Anonymous]

Some employers have an arrangement with an agency for back-up care so I'd check on that first. Otherwise, White House Nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some employers have an arrangement with an agency for back-up care so I'd check on that first. Otherwise, White House Nannies.

We've used White House Nannies for back up care with great success.