Anonymous wrote:I think I’d go option 3 and ask a lot of social distancing questions in the interview. This is a pretty sweet job for a teen, and it sounds like you guys have been very careful about socially distancing, so maybe a teen with a health issue or a family with a health issue that’s being just as careful as you are? Ask around.

But please offer more per hour than $10.
Especially for a college student.

You do not want your child w/someone who you are paying very little hourly wage to.

If you weren't pregnant, I'd say #1. But given that you're pregnant, and if it's not officially a high-risk pregnancy then at least a complicated one, I'd say it's got to be #4—unless you can find someone whose "bubble" is also strictly distancing to come in for a few hours.

But you should definitely ask your OB what they recommend for you in terms of distancing and isolation—that's the advice that should matter most, not DCUM's.

Op, if you are asking, you are likely not that comfortable enough doing options 1-3. That leaves option 4. At least for the time being. If you've got the money, option 5 would be getting an au pair(live in) and having them take on a few duties in addition to caring for your child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pregnant with HG. Um I’d be doing 1, 2, and 3.

+1.

+2

There is nothing absolutely risk-free. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do anything. Your health and stress levels impact the baby as well. Take care of yourself, OP. And FYI, most of these people saying not to hire any childcare are 1) childless; 2) have older children; or 3) have anxiety disorders.

Agreed.
Someone once pointed out that most anti-trampoline posters lived in apartments or townhomes. Ever since then, I have learned to take everything with a heaping spoonful of salt.

We chose an in-home caregiver rather than camp for our kids. We found an elementary teacher off for the summer who wanted part-time. If you can discuss the risks of your being pregnant and ensure that the caregiver is being cautious/social distancing, a sitter might be the best option, but it will involve trust. An all-outdoor camp would also probably be fairly low risk for transmission, but I do question whether young kids can really maintain distance from each other or avoid direct interaction with caregivers.

Anonymous wrote:Of the options, I think 3 is the safest provided you pick a young teen. I have a kid that just turned 14. She can’t drive, is too young to be dating, and is kind of a geek/introvert. She will occasionally take a walk with a friend outdoors but is mainly iust playing online video games with friends, reading a book, or trying to get ahead on school work. I think that’s all common for that young teen age especially if you avoid the popular girls. Geeky 12-14 year olds are natural social distancers.
She has hoped to be a camp assistant for first time this year so is thrilled to have gotten a 10 hpur a week gig watching a preschooler. And she’s never earned money before so she’s psyched to be paid anything.

+1. I am in the same position as you, 1st trimester but not HG, both of us working full time. Preschool has reopened with similar parameters but we chose a high school kid to come play with our son from 9-1 every day. Then he naps from 1-3. DH and I trade off from 7 am - 9 am and 3pm - 5 pm. We pay her $50/day.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry, OP, but #4. I know it’s hard and it sucks but it’s the only safe option. I don’t know what your numbers are in Chicago but where I live (Central California) they are on the rise again.

+1. This. I’m doing it now and it is hard but the only truly safe option. Cases nationwide are on the rise again.

Camp and I’m super conservative.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pregnant with HG. Um I’d be doing 1, 2, and 3.

+1.

+2

There is nothing absolutely risk-free. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do anything. Your health and stress levels impact the baby as well. Take care of yourself, OP. And FYI, most of these people saying not to hire any childcare are 1) childless; 2) have older children; or 3) have anxiety disorders.

Anonymous wrote:Pregnant with HG. Um I’d be doing 1, 2, and 3.

+1.

Of the options, I think 3 is the safest provided you pick a young teen. I have a kid that just turned 14. She can’t drive, is too young to be dating, and is kind of a geek/introvert. She will occasionally take a walk with a friend outdoors but is mainly iust playing online video games with friends, reading a book, or trying to get ahead on school work. I think that’s all common for that young teen age especially if you avoid the popular girls. Geeky 12-14 year olds are natural social distancers.
She has hoped to be a camp assistant for first time this year so is thrilled to have gotten a 10 hpur a week gig watching a preschooler. And she’s never earned money before so she’s psyched to be paid anything.

OP, I would be judicious with your use of sick leave. Legally, they can’t fire you. They can, conveniently, have layoffs that include you, but not more junior associates, for nebulous reasons. I have a friend with suspicions.

I would opt for the sweet teen with health problems, followed by preschool, followed by sweet teen who swears she will social distance. You will need your mom later.

OP here- I seriously want to thank you guys for the honest, helpful responses. I was expecting to be ridiculed for either considering childcare for DD or being pregnant during a pandemic.

Re: medical leave -- are you aware of the family leave requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act?

Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

If you are not able to take this leave, can your husband take some? I have colleagues who have been able to take 10 hours per week of leave under this plan. Any way he could cut down hours and flex his time?

I think -- since you are effectively the full time caregiver for child #2 right now -- that your husband needs to figure out how to do a good chunk of the caregiving for child #1. Of the options you presented, I like the idea of a HS or college-aged sitter the best. It would be the most flexible to change up -- you could work with the sitter over the summer and then change up if your needs change in the fall. What if your husband worked 6-8, took care of the 2.5 yo from 8-10, and then you had a sitter from 10-3 daily? Or alternately he could make up the 2 extra hours in the evening. That would give him 7 work hours per day; then he could charge the other 5 to the family leave, if he has that available.

When is the baby due?

You call it "selfish," I call it "making data-driven risk assessments for my family based on our circumstances, needs, and wants." Tomato / tomato.