I'm also fucked.

[rbnyc]

My child care situation just disolved out of the blue. I'm on waiting lists for day care, but none will come through for probably 6 months to a year. I need care for my son 3 days per week and can only afford about $50 per day. I cannot bring my son to work with me. All family members have jobs. No one can help. And I'm scared to go to Craig's list or an agency and bring a stranger into the house, at least until my son is old enough to talk.

I don't know what to do.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Try the surrounding universities.

$50 a day is a lot to a college kid. Maybe you can work out some sort of job share.

Good luck.

[rbnyc]

5. Thanks.

I work for Columbia University Medical Center. I could spam the bulletin boards.

[serryjw]

26. Try a student that is

going for a degree in early child care or nursing.

[GumboYaYa]

19. We posted an ad at the International Students section of our local

university. Lots of students from other countries have spouses in the US looking for part time work.

From that we got a great caretaker, not to mention that my son is now bilingual in Portugese and English.

[Thtwudbeme]

2. Colleges often have an "approved" list of babysitters

that have had CPR training, and references provided. Call and see if they can recommend a good student.

Best bet in my opinion? The local nursing school...get a future peds nurse. I just have to tell you, when I was doing my paramedic training...those were the COOLEST people--

[rbnyc]

7. Good suggestion!

I'm just so worried, because I thought I had this all arranged, and now I have to get all new coverage starting NEXT WEEK!

[Thtwudbeme]

15. There are thousands of students

that are without jobs for Christmas...if Michael and I lived near you, I would do it! I don't have anything lined up for those weeks!

[rbnyc]

17. If only! (nt)

[Xithras]

23. Some colleges also have early child development centers.

They are there primarily to teach students to be preschool teachers, but many of the programs have daycares where students can get hands on experience. They typically market themselves to students, but I've never heard of one that wasn't open to the public as well. They're usually very reasonably priced, there are many eyes, they have good facilities, and they don't have waiting lists (first come, first served). The downside is that they're typically closed whenever school isn't in session (summer, spring break, holidays) and you'll have to re-register every semester.

I had my son in one for a few years. $25 a day with some of the best teachers around. I don't know if it's right for you, but you may want to explore it as an option.

[Metta]

3. Do surrounding universities offer day care?

Have you googled day care in your area? Checked with your county department of hhs?

[rbnyc]

9. There are about 10 daycares affiliated with CUMC

where I work, and most of them won't take a child under 2, and the rest have a 6 month to 2-year waiting list. I'm on all waiting lists, since he'll be 2 in 9 months...but that doesn't help me for next week.

Dept of HHS is a great suggestion. Thanks!

[ucmike]

4. try a reference from a neighbor.

a reasonable person with good kids, someone from your building maybe. if you start asking around maybe a neighboring mom my help you out on a temp basis.

[rbnyc]

10. I was thinking of asking my landlady for suggestions...

...big language barrier between me and most of my neighbors. I'm in a Polish neighborhood. But I would trust a friend or relative of hers.

Thanks.

[Texasgal]

6. High Schools

Often have lists of approved sitters, do you have a local high school nearby?

On Edit: I am so sorry that you are going through this. I know it must be scary as hell! :hug:

[rbnyc]

11. Thanks.

I wish I could just quit my job and take care of him myself. Sometimes I really hate money!

[xmas74]

8. Call a smaller local college or university and

speak w/ someone in early childhood education. Ask if you can advertise for a job opening for a college student majoring in the field. At a smaller school (where the profs still teach their own classes instead of having assistants) a professor might know of a few people who would be good for the position.
Throw in the deal that they have permission to use your child in any papers they write, maybe tell them that they can do their laundry at your house once a week and you'll have them knocking down your door.

[rbnyc]

12. Wish I had a washer and Dryer

But that's a good suggestion. I have a lot of researching to do this weekend...at least now I have some more ideas!

Thanks!

[xmas74]

13. You're welcome.

A early childhood major would gladly take the position. They need the experience and you might get more out of them(by way of actually teaching your child something) than you would regular daycare(large groups, not much one-on-one time).

Good luck. I had the same problem when my daughter was a baby. I worked overnights. The babysitter I had was married to an Air Force SP. He got his orders, they had to leave and I couldn't find another overnight sitter. The right babysitter is hard to find.

[BlueIris]

14. Good luck.

If that's your son in your posts, by the by, he's PRECIOUS.

[rbnyc]

16. Thanks.

We're very lucky.

[flamingyouth]

18. Good luck, Rene

Gosh, that really sucks. Holding good thoughts for you and the little cutie. :hug:

[rbnyc]

20. Thanks. Who wouldn't want to spend time with this boy?

They should pay ME $50!

;-)

:hi:

EDIT: tricky part is getting someone I know or who is refered by someone I know or who is otherwise VERY trustworthy. It's a scary world. It's a case where beggers must be choosers.

[flamingyouth]

21. OMG! Look how big he's gotten!

:loveya:

[salin]

25. Indeed!

you should be paid by the lucky caretaker!

Seriously, I do wish you great luck in finding a very capable and caring person to tend to your wonderful child.

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. DAng, wish you lived closer by. I'd love to find part-time work babysittin

:(

Hope you get this resolved asap! :hug:

[bigwillq]

24. Not much I can say or do.

Hope this helps. :hug:
You're in an unfortunate situation. I wish I can do more to help or to offer some better advice.
I hope everything works out for you.

[lonestarnot]

27. Nope, you can't leave him with strangers, stay home and call 911. Get on

the news, call the Salvation Army, do anything to stay with him until he can talk.

[rbnyc]

28. We had such an ambitious plan.

I was going to support my whole family with my lower-mid 5 figure income in NYC and my son was always going to be with a family member, no matter what.

Then my husband got burned-out being his primary care-taker. It's a very hard job. He's ready to go back to work full time. He earns more than me, but has no benefits. So I have to work part-time to keep my benefits.

I was sharing a baby-sitter with a coworker, and I felt ok about that because my co-worker trusted her with her children, and she was preparing to open her own daycare, had good recommendations, etc.

But even THAT was scary. And that's no longer available.

We don't have a lot of money, but we have to be so careful about whom we choose to watch him. Like I said before, it's a situation where beggars have to be choosers.

EDIT: forgot to do spell check and am typing with messed-up hand.

[lonestarnot]

29. Damn this so sucks. We are all beggars in this world. Choose carefully

and remember that you can never be too careful. I will pray for you and your family. I went through the same shit myself and it worked out. The only thing I can figure out is that God took care of me and my son. I borrowed government money to finish school. Have you considered that? The university will help you with childcare. My son and I both went to school at the same time, but he was in kindergarten by that time.