How do you parents do it?

I work 7p-7a and my husband works the same days every week but works days for two and nights for the other two days. We have to spend lots of money on a babysitter. We don't have family near us as well. Lucky for us, we have a friend who lives a few blocks from us. She charges a lot, but we have no other choice. Get to know your neighbors and find out who they know. And getting to know other moms at your child's school may help, too. Our family is always schedule juggling.

I found a daycare in the neighborhood. She took my son to school and picked him up afterwards,( along with any other of her charges that needed that), she was a godsend.

Good luck, keep us posted.

We work opposite shifts and my dad can help with drop off but not pick up since he works 3-11p and my son gets out of school at 3:20. I work 7p-7a and my husband works day shift. I have help from my parents and my aunt if I need her.

I reread your post and realized that you don't have family in the area to help. Do you have any friends that live close? Could they help with getting on and off the bus?

Per diem with part of every weekend and occssional nights. Dad's schedule has some flexibility and the grandparents are available for backup.

We haven't figured it out. We have 3 school aged kids and right now my husband is a stay at home dad. Now that our youngest started kindergarten, he's looking into finding job that he can do 8-5 or start in college. Around here our elementary schools offer before and after care and I believe it is about 200$/kid/month. Your other options include getti g to know your neighbors to see if they would be willing to do drop offs and pick ups or do before/after care. We have no family here either so it's all on us.

I was thinking night shift, but there would still be a gap if your husband goes to work so early.

I work 8 hour nights, so I am always home to take my kids to school and pick them up.

There are many daycares here that offer before and after school care. They will take and pick up kids froms school. That may be an option for you.

Another option would be to work weekends.

My kids are grown, but I was able to get home before they needed to get on the bus and/or needed a ride to school. I worked 7p to 7a. Maybe a college student looking to get some extra money to watch them before school and a bit after?? Or a high school student. Many schools have before and after school care and usually it isn't too expensive. Good luck!

There are a number of schools that have an "early bird" or "breakfast buddies" program that your husband can drop off on the way to work. There are also daycares that take kids before and after school. There's also after school programs in a number of schools.

Another option is to look at Md offices (which have better hours for mothers) or Home Health where you can start later in the morning. I would also look at part time weekend or PRN positions.

Also, when you move, look around and make friends with the other parents on your street. There are lots of Moms who would take your child for breakfast and bussing with her own on school days that you have to work. If I am up with a few kids having breakfast anyways, I have no problem taking yours too. You may want to trade--you take her kids Sat mornings so she can go do whatever--

Or if there's a neighborhood kid who can help out. There's a lot of responsible 12/13 year olds who will hang with your child and get on the bus.

It is all going to depend on where you move. Once you do, look at all of your options.

There are before and after school daycares that will transport kids to school and pick them up.... a bit pricey but if there aren't any other options......

My neighbors have kids that share the same bus as mine. I drop them off at 7 am and head off to work. She refuses to take payment so we pay every Friday with 3 or 4 pizzas.

I would hire a sitter that would come from 530am to whatever time is needed to get your daughter on the bus if you worked nights or 630am if you worked dayshift.

It would only be 3 days per week.

How bout work the 3-11 shift? Or could get lucky and find the 9-5 or 10-10, etc. sounds like the 7-7 is not a good option.

I am one who couldn't hack it. My DH works nights and that was the shift I got. Made it a year having sitters stay late or overnight then left the hospital and got a clinic job working M-F 8:30-4:30. I know many make it work but we could never achieve the right balance for our family with me doing 12h days.