Childcare

[FreeTime]

With baby #2 due any day I just didn't know how I was going to handle the cost of childcare. But then I had a brainstorm! Instead of offering my sitter a raise (I feel bad because she already makes nothing compared to a childcare center in the area, can you believe they want over $1200 per month!) I offered her the same amount that she is currently receiving plus 50 DVC points a year. I figure the points (with the excepetion of the annual dues) are a sunk cost. And their family would never be able to stay in such a wonderful place. 50 points is more than enough for them to stay in a studio during the week by theirselves. And I told her that since they normallly vacation with us, (but we charge them)they can give their points back and share our larger villa if they like. Am I crazy? I still have time to back out of the deal.

 

[chris1gill]

It's certainly an interesting way to compensate your babysitter!! But, they vacation with you anyways, is this a benefit that they will really see? Where do they normally stay when they go on vacation with you?

Overall, I like the idea a lot... and I do believe they want 1200+ for childcare... we used to pay that just for one child...

 

[FreeTime]

They actually end up going camping with us. So with the price of a studio out of their reach they definately will benefit from it. If she elects not to, I will just have to try something else. Maybe I will offer to take their kids for one weekend a month so that they can get sometime alone. If I were babysitting I'd go for that! Any other creative suggestions? She is family so that helps

 

[chris1gill]

Hmmm in that case I think I really like your idea (did she like the idea?) You could offer to watch her children over a weekend every now and again, just be sure you really want to do that, since you work & have two little ones of your... it might be hard! Do you get paid for Holiday's? Do you pay her Holiday pay? if not, you could, it would just keep your weekly rate the same... also, same thing for your vacation weeks, if you don't pay for vacation weeks, you could start... I remember thinking about all these things when we were thinking of getting someone for in the home... Giving her car priviledges, sick time, holiday pay, and generally any benefit we got at work... It can really add up, but if you just pick a couple different scenarios, it can add some nice perks.....

Personally, I like the DVC idea!!!