what to do with kids while you work?

[jpeppers]

"txgirl" wrote that she can't imagine anyone except the parent taking care of a sick child. I noticed you are a stay home mom. I have so much respect for stay at home Moms. I was raised by one (definitely a hard job). It is definitely the best way to raise a child. Unfortunately for most of us it isn't an option. I guess this is just a sore subject with me beacause i wish I could stay home with my daughter. I think staying home with the children is a lot harder than my job but unfortunately myself and I'm sure many other single parents can't figure out how to get paid to stay home.

 

[txgirl]

"txgirl" wrote that she can't imagine anyone except the parent taking care of a sick child. I noticed you are a stay home mom. I have so much respect for stay at home Moms. I was raised by one (definitely a hard job). It is definitely the best way to raise a child. Unfortunately for most of us it isn't an option. I guess this is just a sore subject with me beacause i wish I could stay home with my daughter. I think staying home with the children is a lot harder than my job but unfortunately myself and I'm sure many other single parents can't figure out how to get paid to stay home.

Actually I said mom/dad/or close friend or family. I totally sympathize with your situation. I have friends and family in the same boat and I am hopefully someone they can turn to. I am sorry if I seemed insensitive . I just wish as mothers we could help one another out. The hospital childcare system is very expensive and most moms who are working to make ends meet couldn't afford that program anyway. The majority of mothers who use that program are making the big $$$$$ , not the ones struggling to bring it in. You are doing your very best!

 

[Leader of the Club]

As a single mom with no family nearby to help, I don't know what I would have done without the Y. They are a fantastic resource.

Thanks!

I have done child care for the Y for years. The pay is horrible and the hours are cruddy, but whenever I hear a parent or child tell what a difference it has made for them, I know it is worth it. You would not believe the number of kids I have helped raise through the Y. I have worked in the pre-school, Latch-key and summer camps. We live in an area where people do not move often so I get to see many of these kids all the way to college!

PS-I take my kids to work with me....

 

[DiznEeyore]

Ahhh, you are one of those. Gotcha.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thanks!

I have done child care for the Y for many years. The pay is horrible and the hours are cruddy, but whenever I hear a parent or child tell what a difference it has made for them, I know it is worth it.

My thanks go to you and all those other wonderful caregivers out there! I know it's not the money but the littles ones who make your job worthwhile. : Having said that, let me add that I think you are worth your weight in gold and definitely deserved to be paid accordingly

I feel so fortunate that I could stay home with DD until she was 1 1/2. I then returned to work part-time while DH watched her... the best of both worlds, really. But sadly I became a single mom when DD was 7 and had to get a full time job to keep the roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs. I have no family or close friends nearby. It's me and only me 24/7 Luckily DD and I had been going to the Y from the time she was a year old and did "mommy and me" classes,swim, etc. so going to the ASP made the transitions for her a bit easier. Far as I'm concerned, there simply aren't enough ways to thank all you wonderful folks at the Y!

For those who feel compelled to judge the choices that others make, you never know what the future holds... life comes with no guarantees and your future may be very different from the one you planned. Why not treat others with the same compassion that you would want from them? I learned that you have to be grateful for today because it's really all you ever have. After that you just have to "roll with the punches" as my dear dad likes to remind me!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

It just might be worth it for that person (typically a single parent) that *needs* that job to put a roof over their heads and food on the table and has no other options.

My DH and I both work full time. I give all the credit in the world to single parents. We find it hard ourselves, how do you do everything by yourself?

I too understand that you can't stay home for every sniffle And sometimes you have to go to work, especially if you're the only one working.

I also give kudos to SAHM , but not everyone can do that. I respect both sides and know we are all trying to do the best job we can in raising our kids.

 

[Brendita]

Check @ your kids school.
A lot of schools now have before & after school programs.
My sons school has before & after YMCA care.
This has worked great for us.
He started in 1st now going into 6th.
Like another post stated after school they have homework time
then free time. I know his homework is done.
Most holidays & summer are open.
Very active in summer.Swimming hiking fishing always busy.
No fighting to go to bed. He's wore out.
good luck in your search.

 

[GJM]

Just because my DS goes to Daycare does not mean that I don't raise him. I need to work, I would love to be home with him, but it just isn't possible. He actually loves going to school, he is an only child and loves playing with his friends and has learned quite a bit. He will be doing Kindergarten at his daycare because my town only offers half day.

I was really offended by that comment about parents not raising their children because they go to daycare. I think we all do the best we can for our kids. I don't think my DS is worse off because he goes to daycare then someone that gets to stay home.

 

[jenimay]

Dh is a pilot and flies 3.5-4 days per week usually. He makes sure to work weekends so that if I need to work(I work on-call at the hospital as a social worker), then he has a better chance of being around to watch the kids. When he's not home I pay some of dh's family that lives nearby. As far as daycares, I have used in home daycares and center daycares and my kids prefer the inhome, although I've had one very bad experience that makes me leary of putting them in daycare again.

Jeni