How do you arrange day care when you work 12 hr shifts?

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Most day care centers are not set up to accomodate parents who do shift work. I found a place called La Petit Academy I was hoping would work out but their site says hours of operation are 6a-6p. I will work 7a-7p. On top of that I have to do weekends too.

How do you other parents manage? I've got a two month old and feel very leary about leaving him with anyone.

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

Mama, I thought your husband was disabled and stayed home? Since I don't know the nature of his disability, I'm not sure if this will work for you, but I'd suggest using the daycare while they're open, then having your hubby pick baby up until you get home.

Is that doable?

Of course, the best thing would be if he could just keep baby while you're working period, but I'm pretty sure you've posted before that you don't want him in that position.

I wonder though.. you've said you're considering asking for a nightshift position. Are you comfortable enough leaving the little one with him while you're working NOCs?

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My husband is willing to watch him but I don't believe he will watch him good enough. On top of that he likes to sleep during the day unless he has some of his little projects going.

The hospital will think I'm crazy but I've called the recruiter twice regarding shifts. First I told him I wanted days but would take nights if I had to, then the next day I told him (per answering machine) it would be better to work the night shift because of the baby. After reading some of the night shift threads today I definitely want to work the day shift now. I haven't heard back from the nurse recruiter so I hope he didn't get that second message, he will think I'm crazy. I wonder if I should call to verify I definitely want the day shift, even though it looks like it will cost me about $120/week, but I don't know anyone who could pick him up for me. I can't stand much more of this. Surely, there is someone out there who has run up against the same wall?

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

I know it's hard to leave a little one. I always started out with either family, friends, or neighbors, took the price of daycare and gave it to them. Once they are older, it's easier to leave them in a daycare setting with other kids because you can justify it by saying, "They need socialization".

I'm so proud of you. When do you start?

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I can sympathize. I work 8 hr days that morph into 10-12 in the blink of an eye, and still there is an expectation that when someone doesn't show up I can just drop everything and work 16. When DD was little, I found an excellent in home sitter who I trust. My inlaws in the area are not somplace I want her to be for very long. Hubby works 2nd and I work days to accomodate. Now she is in school and can go ot after school care until 6p. There is a teachers aide who lives nearby my trusty sitter who will drop DD off there after school on days I have to work until 7.

Could your hubby pick up and keep tabs on the little one until you get home? Like say from 530-6ish? That way you wont be relying on him solely for an extended time?

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Hubby works days, I work nights to solve the daycare crisis. I work 3 days a week, he works 4 and we only have an issue two nights a week for an hour. My brother or mother will sit with the kids until he gets home from work so that I can get to work on time.

Night shift is great for solving daycare issues.

What deterred you from nights?

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Try talking with your child care provider, see if any of the workers are looking to earn extra income... Ask them about taking care of your child at their residence after their day care shift...

Or find a LICENSED home care provider that will accept the shift work hours...

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The old man can't drive so he isn't much help there.

I thought about asking if one of the workers wanted to watch the baby for an hour and a half extra but gee, how much money is this going to start running into? I am deterred from nights because I'm definitely not a night person and I've been reading others' experiences about how hard it is on them. I remember, too, when I worked night shift for a period of time a few years ago and I was tired ALL the time. I don't want that again.

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
My husband is willing to watch him but I don't believe he will watch him good enough. On top of that he likes to sleep during the day unless he has some of his little projects going.

The hospital will think I'm crazy but I've called the recruiter twice regarding shifts. First I told him I wanted days but would take nights if I had to, then the next day I told him (per answering machine) it would be better to work the night shift because of the baby. After reading some of the night shift threads today I definitely want to work the day shift now. I haven't heard back from the nurse recruiter so I hope he didn't get that second message, he will think I'm crazy. I wonder if I should call to verify I definitely want the day shift, even though it looks like it will cost me about $120/week, but I don't know anyone who could pick him up for me. I can't stand much more of this. Surely, there is someone out there who has run up against the same wall?

Have you looked into home day cares? Some of them provide 24 hour service. If you have a local child care council, you can also call them and get information as to what is available in your area.

Also, don't worry too much about your husband watching the baby. I don't know what his problems are, but I was worried about mine watching our baby, and he does just fine.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

i feel your pain. i also work 12's and 8's and my husband picks our daughter up if he gets off early. we use a home daycare. they are more relaxed with their hours and some also do weekends. it has been a godsend for us. also network with friends and family, it is impossible to raise children without the proper support,especially when you do shift work. a m-f nursing job in a clinic or an insurance company may also be an option, at least you won't have to work weekends and holidays and the traditional 6a-6p daycare would work. i hope your situation works out.

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Most times I dropped off Demon and Hubs or one of the teens picked her up. Before the teens moved in, if Hubs worked late then sometimes the daycare provider would keep her until I got home at 8, but it's an in-home daycare. If the sitter couldn't keep her then a neighbor was willing to pick her up for me and keep her for an hour or two.

Honestly, I don't think I could leave her at an organized daycare. Seems too impersonal to me. An in-home daycare is much more homey.

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Specializes in ICU.
My husband is willing to watch him but I don't believe he will watch him good enough. On top of that he likes to sleep during the day unless he has some of his little projects going.

The hospital will think I'm crazy but I've called the recruiter twice regarding shifts. First I told him I wanted days but would take nights if I had to, then the next day I told him (per answering machine) it would be better to work the night shift because of the baby. After reading some of the night shift threads today I definitely want to work the day shift now. I haven't heard back from the nurse recruiter so I hope he didn't get that second message, he will think I'm crazy. I wonder if I should call to verify I definitely want the day shift, even though it looks like it will cost me about $120/week, but I don't know anyone who could pick him up for me. I can't stand much more of this. Surely, there is someone out there who has run up against the same wall?

Nights are great! In my ICU it is quieter, no families after 10pm, I get to tuck my pt's in to bed and help them to relax and sleep, plus- I get paid a good amount more to do it! Do not be afraid! Your body will adjust!

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