Single mom needs ideas!

glopop11 · Oct 30, 2003

How old are the kids? What to do with them depends on their age!

Nurse2be · Oct 30, 2003

Actually, I shouldn't say kids - I should say - kid. I have a 6-year-old little one and a puppy dog.

Thanks,

Emily

Soon2BNurse · Oct 30, 2003

Congrats!

Do you have any relatives that can help? Any friends?

Angie

Nurse Ratched, RN · Oct 30, 2003

Do you have access to family support or a trusted sitter/neighbor to help your little one off to school in the morning? Some larger towns/cities even have 3rd shift day cares. And you can sleep while kiddo is at school.

Puppy might have to learn to stay up nights and sleep with you during the day lol.

bagladyrn, RN · Oct 30, 2003

To my way of thinking, third shift is a good one to work with a small child (I raised my son as a single mom working that and then 12 hr nights). I used a sitter who watched him in her home - easy for her as mostly, he slept. Figure out ahead of time what you will do for "emergencies" when he can't be at the sitter - if he's sick for instance - I had relatives and friends who couldn't commit to watching him regularly, but were willing to fill in when needed. You will be able to sleep while he is in school, but think ahead and find a good summer daycamp program for times when there is no school.

Good luck!

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2003

My daughter is almost 6 and she stays with my parents while I do 12 hour shifts 3 nights a week. Do you have any family or friends who would be willing to keep your daughter? How about trying to find a responsible college student who would be willing to stay at your home while you work. My cousin is in a city by herself as a single mom of two and she has 3 college students who take turns watching her 2 children while she work nights and then on she has a friend who keeps her kids during the one weekend she has to work.

Nurse2be · Oct 31, 2003

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the input! I do have family who would watch my little one. I just don't want to impose on them. Same thing with friends. I don't know the best way to go about finding people who would watch my kiddo three nights a week.

Thanks again!

Emily

sixes · Nov 5, 2003

do you live near a college or university? Do you have a spare bedroom?

A great solution

Interview several students offer a room at a reduced rate and voila a live in sitter who has school work load and probably would enjoy reduced room rates in exchange for being there for your sleeping loved one