Reserve Deployment and Childcare

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Specializes in ER / Med-Surg.

hi all:

just wanted to see what reservists were doing with childcare during deployments when both spouses work. any special arrangements or situations that have worked for you? my wife works 2 days/wk at the hospital for 12 hr shifts, 0700-1930. my son will be starting first grade next year, so i need to develop a plan before signing up to ensure he gets to school and has childcare after school until she gets home at 2000. our parents are nearing 70's and live about 3 hours away, so not real convenient, nor do i expect them to change their retirement plans for me!

i was just curious to see what others were doing in similar situations. so far, i know she can take 3 mo of fmla time for a deployed spouse, which i think uses her personal leave time and only pays at around 70%. i do not expect her to give up her job, which she loves, just so i can join the reserves. it definitely makes the decision more difficult for me as i struggle with the added burden i will place on my family.

as always, your input it greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Peds OB.

I wholeheartedly understand where you are coming from here...my DH is AD AF and deploys and we have three kiddos! A few suggestions: find a home daycare provider that will accept your little one for extended hours those two days or see if your wife can work eight hour shifts during your deployment perhaps three days a week to keep that 24 hours of pay coming in. I live on an AF base and they have home daycare providers that are willing to provide care for twelve hour shifts so if you are near one perhaps that may be an option as well. Best of luck!

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Specializes in ER / Med-Surg.

thanks, mickey...appreciate your response!

unfortunately eight hour shifts are not an option for her; that would work out much better! my son's school has a program for early drop off (0600) and late pick-up (up to 1800) but that still leaves a gap, and you must use the program all year. looking into any and all options, as i really want to join the reserves. have to check into the daycares.

thanks, again.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, Home Care, Med-Surg,.

I would bet that you could find a parent at your son's school that is already a home daycare provider or if not already there may be one that is looking to make extra money 2 days weekly. It would be great if you could find a neighbor/classmate who is on the same schedule as your son. I would suggest you and your wife start asking around, word of mouth and recommendations from friends/co workers go along way. There are also 24 hr daycare centers that usally can provide before and after care but will be more expensive. I don't think this will be a show stopper for you and your family. Best wishes!

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Both my husband and I were active duty, thus making a family care plan necessary. Family was never an option. I was lucky in that the lady who took care of my daughter while we were at work agreed to be the person to take over responsibility for her for purposes of our care plan. This lady even agreed to sign off on the requirement to be the person to take our daughter back to the States on a forced evacuation. She was a godsend at the time. Other times, I procrastinated as long as possible when the issue came up while I looked around for people to put on the care plan. Usually, it was always the babysitter who fulfilled this role.

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Specializes in ER / Med-Surg.

hopeful & cali:

thanks for your responses - even more options for my wife and i to look into. the more options, the better off we are! thanks again! :cool:

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