Backup babysitter for sick kid?

[Anonymous]

My YDD (8 months) seems to get a fever every time she gets a minor cold or a new tooth. She had a fever on Monday, very slight fever on Tuesday. She's been happy and doesn't have a runny nose or cough. I think it's just teething. But she has to be home three days this week. And this is the third or fourth week like that since she started daycare. Yes, we are seriously considering leaving the daycare center and finding a nanny.

In the meantime, I'm looking for tips on how to find a backup caregiver. Has anyone successfully found a babysitter to come occasionally when your kid was sick (or your nanny was sick)? How did you do it? (My husband or I would stay home if the baby was really needing a parent. But she's a sunny, happy girl today and would be find in childcare.)

[Anonymous]

Daycare is great, but this is one of the most annoying things about having your kid go to one! I get wanting to keep all of the other kids healthy, but you can't miss work every time your baby starts teething!

Anyway, I think your best bet would be to find either a SAHM or someone who is retired/has a flexible work schedule that would like to make a few extra bucks here and there. I think finding a flexible sitter would be hard because you would be asking the person to either not have another job or to call off from their job when your DD is sick.

If you can't find someone the teething and fevers won't last forever. Is there anyway you or your husband could work from home those days? If this continues to happen I would definitely try to transition to a nanny in the future.

[Anonymous]

I've used Nanny Poppinz. They can be contacted 24 hrs a day and will set you up with a nanny last minute-- all are background checked and a resume will be emailed to you at your request. There is a 40$ charge by the company and then hourly charge for the nanny dependent on where you live. It has been my miracle life saver.

[Anonymous]

I've used MetroParentRelief - works much the same way Nanny Poppinz does.

I've used them for a day or two here and there when our nanny was out sick, and for a longer term fill-in solution when the nanny was out for several weeks. I've been pleased with the quality of their staff and have felt comfortable leaving my twins with them.