single parent and nursing

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I'm looking at being a single parent when I graduate. Are there any of you that are able to arrange childcare around 12.5 hour shifts and avoid working nights?

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I am a single mother of 3 boys ages 14, 4, and 1. Although it's not easy, I have found a good system for child care. My mother is in the area so she watches my two youngest ones for me. My oldest boy is self sufficient so he helps her out watching the two younger siblings. I know it will be difficult when i get out of nursing school to find a set up as this, but I am hoping that once I have to my mom will still be available to help. And oh yes, I pay her, and not because she asked but because I thought it was the right thing to do.

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I am a single mother of 3 boys ages 14, 4, and 1. Although it's not easy, I have found a good system for child care. My mother is in the area so she watches my two youngest ones for me. My oldest boy is self sufficient so he helps her out watching the two younger siblings. I know it will be difficult when i get out of nursing school to find a set up as this, but I am hoping that once I have to my mom will still be available to help. And oh yes, I pay her, and not because she asked but because I thought it was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately my family does not live nearby. I was told by a daycare that the longest they can legally keep a child is 12 hours. Well, that doesn't allow for travel to and from work and daycare, or if you have to stay longer at work.

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Do you have any friends that could pick your kids up and watch them for a while til you can get home? I know when I was in Charlotte I had neighbor who would pick up my two little ones for me and watched them when I had to do overtime at my old job. We just watched each others kids when the other needed it. That seemed to work for us..Hope things work out for you!:o

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Before I moved away, one of my friends was a night shift nurse and a single mom, and I would watch her daughter for her over night. She only worked 4 nights a week so when I got off work I would go to her house to pick her daughter up and bring her home with me feed her dinner and get her in bed then in the morning on my way to work I would drop her off with her mom who would then take her to school so she could go home and sleep! It worked out great. I personally never charged her because it didn't make sense to me since it was during the night when we were all sleeping.

Maybe you have someone that would be willing to help out like that if needed.

Of course there may not be options when you are starting out but you may be able to choose between a few different shifts when you start out...

The maximum of 12 hours is for most state liscensed childcare facilities. I know there are some great daycares out there that are a little more flexible. Of course you would want to check them out completely. I used to have a daycare provider who would take my daughter at 3am and I wouldn't be back to pick her up until almost 4pm that afternoon. (I had quite a commute to work.) She was WONDERFUL! They are out there you just need to look when the time comes!!!

Good Luck!!

There is always a way! Even when you are a single mother. It just makes us a little stronger!!!!

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Maybe you can try a service like care.com. I *believe* the people that are on there have background checks, or at least offer it. A friend of mine in nursing school found another student to watch her baby at our school while she was in class.

I wish you the best in your search. It's hard to trust our little ones with little ones we don't know, but I do like the idea of 1 on 1 care. You maybe able to find a college age student who would gladly accept a job like this in the economy so that they only have to work 3 nights a week. Especially in this economy...

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Have you considered arranging a live-in nanny or someone who comes to your house and babysits? My neighbor has a nanny that comes from a different country and stays with them for a year then they go back to their country and they get another one. Maybe the local colleges would have some people who are available. The junior college near our home has a childhood education program and there are always students who are looking for childcare work.

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Thanks for all the advice! I am in the process of getting custody of my son and can't wait to be a single dad! By the time I graduate in May, he will be starting Kindergarten the following August, so that will definitely help but I will still have to find morning and evening childcare and transportation for him to school and back if I'm working a day shift. I really abhor the night shift but I realize when I graduate I may not have an option if I get the job I want which will be in critical care at a children's hospital. I do live in a larger city so there are plenty of people advertising for services in their homes on craiglist but I really wouldn't know how to verify the quality of such child care.

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Maybe you can try a service like care.com. I *believe* the people that are on there have background checks, or at least offer it. A friend of mine in nursing school found another student to watch her baby at our school while she was in class.

I wish you the best in your search. It's hard to trust our little ones with little ones we don't know, but I do like the idea of 1 on 1 care. You maybe able to find a college age student who would gladly accept a job like this in the economy so that they only have to work 3 nights a week. Especially in this economy...

I looked at care.com and there are a lot of people on there in the Little Rock area so that looks promising. Thanks!

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Two things to consider.

1. Call the high school in your town and ask the guidance counselor if they have any recommendations for a responsible senior. I did this and she handpicked 2 students for me to interview. I was hesitant to hire a stranger being new to the area but going through the guidance office made me feel a lot better that the person being recommended was a good kid. The girl I hired was great (this was 2 years ago) she is in college now but still visits the boys. If you did this, you could hire the student to pick up your child and watch him/her at your home for the remaining 2 hours.

2. Look at area hospital websites, do any of them have daycare on location? One of the hospitals near me has childcare (you still have to pay for it) right at the hospital and open 24hrs.

Aside from that, I would reach out and try to get to know your neighbors, they can be good resources!

Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Intensive medical care.

I just wanted to echo the original poster's comments and thoughts. I'll be a single parent and new grad in May and looking to relocate. My son will be 7 at the time and I'm always concerned about that to do for him but you guys have offered up some GREAT suggestions. Thank you so much for helping me put my mind at ease somewhat. :redpinkhe

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