RN and Single Mother--sky high child care costs

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Hi, so I am a brand new RN, a 27yr old single parent with nobody to help provide child care. The cost of a nanny/babysitter is outrageous, even the ones who are considered to have the lowest rates. The cheapest rate I found was $320/week ($90/day). At this rate, I'll never be able to keep my head above water. I know there has to be other parents out there--single or married--that are struggling with this issue. I am wondering if any other nurses have heard of anyone participating in a child care swap? Does anybody have any advice out there on what else to do?

Thanks!

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Hi, so I am a brand new RN, a 27yr old single parent with nobody to help provide child care. The cost of a nanny/babysitter is outrageous, even the ones who are considered to have the lowest rates. The cheapest rate I found was $320/week ($90/day). At this rate, I'll never be able to keep my head above water. I know there has to be other parents out there--single or married--that are struggling with this issue. I wondering if any other nurses have heard of anyone participating in a child care swap? . Does anybody have any advice out there on what else to do?

Thanks!

I'm not in mi, but if you have a school aged child there might be after school programs/drop in centers. If you have a little one have you looked for head start or daycare programs? Daycare in Oklahoma runs 150-200 per week, head start doesn't cost (I think-don't quote me on that exactly). I hope that might help, or at least give you other things to look into. I'm sorry, I wish I could help more. Does your employer offer any type of child care assistance? I work agency right now, and my agency doesn't offer child care stuff, but when I worked on staff at one of this areas major hospitals they offered an on site daycare, open only to employees children.(hours of op, 6a-6p........nurse shifts...6:45-7:15, so if you worked nights you were screwed, and if you we're a floor nurse you were screwed there too, I don't know who came up with the daycare hours, an administrator probably.)

Best of luck, don't stress, you'll find something.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I heard that the unemployment rate for teenagers is close to 50 percent, although many of them would like to be working.

Can you not advertise for a teenaged babysitter on Craigslist? Many teenaged girls are mature, responsible honor students who would love to earn some extra cash through babysitting. Prior to hiring someone like this, request to see her transcripts and require her to have a drivers license so transportation will not be a last-minute issue.

Many girls in this age range would be happy to accept $75 to $100 per week for babysitting because it sure beats a part-time fast food gig.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Peds.

Have you considered school nursing? Many hospitals are now providing nurses for both public & private schools so the pay isn't as low as what you might think. Plus no nights, weekends or holidays when childcare would be REALLY difficult. It wouldn't completely solve your dilemma if your child isn't school age, but childcare during school hours may be easier to arrange. Good Luck!

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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

Oh, I know first hand how painful child care costs are. While I don't know many options for your situation, I just wanted to ask if your company provides flexible spending. I used the max amount for childcare, which at the time was $5K per year, which isn't a whole lot, but was pre-tax, so it lessened my immediate tax burden, thereby leaving more money in my pocket. We were given a debit card, so the money was pay roll deducted pre-tax and I paid with my card at the daycare.

Also, I found a provider through Care.com. They list their asking prices, and what their availability is. I have a special needs child, so this was always a huge concern for me, until I had family move closer to me. Good Luck, and keep your head up.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Forgive if I am mis-interpreting your post, but you are quoting numbers for care in YOUR home, correct? That is always going to be out of your price range. 1:1 care always is. Day care centers will be much less expensive. Do you know any home schooling families? Sometimes a home schooling teen will be available - provided they can work on their school work while watching your child.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

i have childcare issues and I am married. Most daycare centers don't open until 0630 and close at 1830. That doesn't fit for me. We have scoured and found 2 teenagers .One drives so when they are in school, she can take my youngest. My husband works 0400 to 1430 so afternoons aren't bad, but if I work nights, we need a sitter at 0300. Try finding that! We tried care,com. that might be an option. references are available. Good luck! I know how difficult it can be, It can be done, but is very frustrating. And expensive.

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Call your local high school. Talk with principal or counselors. I bet they know a great responsible teen who would love a job. Some local Red Crosses have babysitting classes that teens take, you might be able to put up a flyer at the class. I found my sitter when I posted a flyer at local college, near early childhood education classrooms. Definitely see if you qualify for college run daycare and/or headstart. My child went to college with me! I dropped her off and she went to her school on my campus.

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I know you probably don't want to say on a public forum, but I wonder where you're at near Detroit that charges that much. I am also in Detroit area and my coworkers take their children to a lady who does child care in her home. She takes 4 or 5 kids a day and only charges them $100 a week and is very flexible. Maybe look for someone like that who has a daycare in their home? Less overhead costs so usually a lesser cost for you. Care.com is also great. Good luck!

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While I was in nursing school I paid $350 for one child at a daycare center, and they all pretty much closed between 5 and 6pm. The days I had class after the center closed I had to pay a sitter, and on average I spent about $480 a week on childcare so I know how you feel. I am a new grad also, trying to figure out a childcare solution. If you do find a sitter that will work nights and weekends they charge high rates. I tried looking on craigslist and encountered several weirdos....so I do not plan on going that route. I have never heard of care.com, but I will check it out, putting up flyers at the college is a good idea also.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Call your local high school. Talk with principal or counselors. I bet they know a great responsible teen who would love a job. Some local Red Crosses have babysitting classes that teens take, you might be able to put up a flyer at the class. I found my sitter when I posted a flyer at local college, near early childhood education classrooms. Definitely see if you qualify for college run daycare and/or headstart. My child went to college with me! I dropped her off and she went to her school on my campus.

THIS, THIS, THIS!!!!!!! also check your local community center, Boys/girls/ club, go to the college's look at the job boards of post on the job boards...check with the nursing programs for students looking for work

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Aside from the outrageous cost, that seems to jump by double digits every year, don't forget to mention the chaos involved if the sitter doesn't show up, or the day 'care' center calls you to come get your kid because he has a runny nose, pooped his pants, or any other minor thing they don't want to bother with.

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