Single parent working 12 hour shifts

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hi all,

I am new to this site and hoping to get some positive feedback. Looking for tips to working 12 hour hospital shifts as a single parent. I looked at care.com for a general idea for kid care and WOW!!- $$$. Anybody care to share ideas they either use or know of that work for shift workers with kiddos? I'd love to hear all ideas. Even unconventional ones. Curious and determined to use multiple minds to find a solution here.

Background: I currently have my LPN and will have my RN in the Summer of 2021. I work as a care tech 7p-7a in a PEDS/PICU in a local hospital and do part-time home health care for pediatric patients while my kids are in school during the day. Now my family in Chicago helps while I am in school and working. I am moving from Chicago to Virginia Beach after I graduate in 2021 with my twin school age kids. My kids grew up in VA Beach so we are moving back home. My ex-husband is not in the picture. I do have a small support system out there already.

Thanks in advance for the help ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

Don' know how 'new' to this site you are, so I say this respectfully. There are NUMEROUS postings here on AN for your request. Some responses are very resourceful.

Respondents here are usually very receptive to helping out folk like yourself.

I can't help you much more with specifics - I'm a 'tech dinosaur'. Lucky I can even spell computer'!!

Good luck to you. I have the greatest admiration to you folk who manage the parent/job/school time issues.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am pretty brand new to any kind of blogging sites at all. I had seen a few posts that were a few years old. I didn't see any recent ones, so I put a new post. I'll keep combing through and hopefully find something I can make work.

Thanks. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've seen many reports of coworkers getting together and forming a network for various help functions. Of course, you won't be able to try this out until you have a position and you want to be careful about when you bring child care issues up at a new job.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I found a grandma type caregiver. She was happy to come in, and put the kids to bed. Be there if they woke up. Of course it all depends on the individual that you find.

Best wishes.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I would love to be involved with being on programs that come up with ideas to help other nurses in their professions, including kid care. But totally right about needing to get the job first and already having kid care is a part being able to get the job. Funny little circle isn't it? LOL

"I found a grandma type caregiver. She was happy to come in, and put the kids to bed. Be there if they woke up. Of course it all depends on the individual that you find.

Best wishes." - Did you find your caregiver in a local place or a specific website?

I lived in VA Beach for 8 years before we moved to Chicago so I am at least familiar with the basic places that offer care there. Now reading this again, thinking of possibly reaching out to nursing programs and local churches to see if there are any caregivers interested.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
22 minutes ago, Leolly said:

I would love to be involved with being on programs that come up with ideas to help other nurses in their professions, including kid care. But totally right about needing to get the job first and already having kid care is a part being able to get the job. Funny little circle isn't it? LOL

"I found a grandma type caregiver. She was happy to come in, and put the kids to bed. Be there if they woke up. Of course it all depends on the individual that you find.

Best wishes." - Did you find your caregiver in a local place or a specific website?

I lived in VA Beach for 8 years before we moved to Chicago so I am at least familiar with the basic places that offer care there. Now reading this again, thinking of possibly reaching out to nursing programs and local churches to see if there are any caregivers interested.

Put feelers out EVERYWHERE. There is some sweet little old lady that will work out for you.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

A responsible and conscientious college student would be another possibility.

Good luck ~

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community health.

I have had so so much trouble ever finding reliable childcare! In my own experience, childcare centers and in-home daycares are more reliable than an individual who comes to your house. Of course, it’s WAY more trouble for you, since you have to drop off and pick up the child (when they are asleep sometimes). But every time I’ve hired someone to be in my home, they flake, come late, call in sick often, etc. There are some wonderful home daycares (run by the grandmother types that others have mentioned) that will keep children evenings/days/etc. In my state, the Department of Health maintains a list on their website of licensed home daycare providers.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

How old are your children? I worked nights for many years when my children were young. I found a homecare couple and my children were the only children they had at night. I would get them home from school, do homework, feed them, bathe them, and get their school clothes ready and bookbags/lunches packed. All the couple had to do was get them up and do the morning care rituals. When they went on vacation or were unavailable, I had a young girl looking for extra money stay with them and do the same. But when they were older, we still did the evening ritual, only I would lock them up in the house, turn the alarm on, and go to work. They knew the rules and I called them in the morning to wake them for school. We had a routine for that too. My house was locked up like Fort Knox so they were safe. I also had a neighbor look out just in case.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

Twins, they'll be 8 by the time we move out there next year. My kids are very easy routine-wise. Easy to get to bed, and not terrible getting up in the AM. Ex-military munchkins so they're used to new people and change.

I'm okay with having a regular caregiver. There's a church preK my kids attended out there that might have good references.

Thanks so much for the advice.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

I understand VB is "home" but maybe they'll think of Chicago as home by 2021? They'll be 8 next Summer so they're 7 now, how long have you been in Chicago? They really haven't "grown up" in VB....I moved when I was in 2nd grade and while I consider where I was born and lived for 7 years home (plus many relatives there incl grandparents) I don't really consider me having "grown up" there. Edit: and they're prior military kids so aren't they used to moving and living in different places?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion