single mom of a 3 year old/law enforcement officer/shift work/child care issues

[Anonymous]

I am at my wits end trying to find a flexible, affordable nanny/babysitter to accommodate my work schedule that rotates every month. I have no help from his dad and no help from family, just me and my kiddo. I've tried looking into an Au Pair but after reading up on them and speaking to someone with AP I've decided that wouldn't be the best options for me and my son. my son also goes to school that I pay monthly for m-f so this makes finding a nanny difficult. I just don't know what to do at this point, any one have helpful advice?

[Anonymous]

You'll have to beg your friends or family to help you. Good child care is very expensive. Who can afford it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll have to beg your friends or family to help you. Good child care is very expensive. Who can afford it?

Omg it's crazy!!! Like they want 600 a week seriously that's cutting it close to wtf I make smh. No friends that can help they live to far and no family in the area.

[Anonymous]

Nannie have responsibilities and bills to pay, just like you. It's a sucky situation but you can't expect a qualified nanny to work for cheap. We need a job that is worth our time and the money to support ourselves. You may want to find a daycare or go with a student with less experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You'll have to beg your friends or family to help you. Good child care is very expensive. Who can afford it?

Omg it's crazy!!! Like they want 600 a week seriously that's cutting it close to wtf I make smh. No friends that can help they live to far and no family in the area.

What's crazy is that you expect to pay below market rate to a qualified nanny and basically eave her without little pay to support herself on. Don't get mad at us nannies because you are in this situation. It isn't out fault.

[Anonymous]

Why do you say the AP program "isn't the best option" for you and your child? Sometimes, you don't get to have everything exactly the way you want it. Sometimes you need to compromise. It sounds like in your situation you may need to

A) Suck it up and pay a lot of money for a nanny--even if that means forgoing some of your other wants/needs
B) Getting an AP, even if it isn't "the best option"
C) Removing your child from the preschool so that you have more money to pay for the nanny

[Anonymous]

Perhaps find another single mom who is also in law enforcement shift work, and get a place together/co-parent together? Don't know if it is possible, but it is an idea....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you say the AP program "isn't the best option" for you and your child? Sometimes, you don't get to have everything exactly the way you want it. Sometimes you need to compromise. It sounds like in your situation you may need to

A) Suck it up and pay a lot of money for a nanny--even if that means forgoing some of your other wants/needs
B) Getting an AP, even if it isn't "the best option"
C) Removing your child from the preschool so that you have more money to pay for the nanny

No space/extra room for ap
Paying less for the school than what nannies are asking for.

No dice

[Anonymous]

I think the other poster who suggested splitting childcare with another single mom has the right idea. You can't afford a nanny, and a nanny wouldn't want to work the kind of schedule you're wanting anyway (not for less than $20/hr anyway). You need to find SEVERAL other adults you can trust to cover the hours you need each month. Do you have ANY family or friends at all in the area? See if they would cover even one shift per week; offer to pay them. Find a few other moms; maybe they'd be willing to cover one of your work shifts in exchange for you watching their kids so they can have a date night?

You have a crazy work schedule and chose to have a child; that's no one else's problem but your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the other poster who suggested splitting childcare with another single mom has the right idea. You can't afford a nanny, and a nanny wouldn't want to work the kind of schedule you're wanting anyway (not for less than $20/hr anyway). You need to find SEVERAL other adults you can trust to cover the hours you need each month. Do you have ANY family or friends at all in the area? See if they would cover even one shift per week; offer to pay them. Find a few other moms; maybe they'd be willing to cover one of your work shifts in exchange for you watching their kids so they can have a date night?

You have a crazy work schedule and chose to have a child; that's no one else's problem but your own.

I was with you until your last comment. You don't know me you don't know what I went through. I got me and my son away from an abusive man so please leave your side comments and judgment out of this!

[Anonymous]

Op how much can you afford a week ? Can you accommodate a live in nanny ?

[Anonymous]

You seem to be making it work now. What are you doing? Keep doing it.

[Anonymous]

Op exactly what are you looking for? What hours and what location? How old is your child?

[Anonymous]

where are you located? I am a nanny and can help you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You'll have to beg your friends or family to help you. Good child care is very expensive. Who can afford it?

Omg it's crazy!!! Like they want 600 a week seriously that's cutting it close to wtf I make smh. No friends that can help they live to far and no family in the area.

[b]

I'm very sorry the person caring for your child is asking for a living wage. That's very selfish!! I mean surely they can afford rent and a car (that I'm sure you'd ask her to use) on a salary of $100/week! These nannies really need to be more accommodating. Why can't they just pitch a tent under the highway and sleep there for free? Hitchhike to work too!! The really uptight nannies even want things like health insurance. The nerve!!!!