I am a new stay at home mom. We keep pretty busy!
My son is 4 months old and my husband is a very hard working man working retail so his hours are long!
I just had the question come up if I'd like to keep a 15 month old boy. The mom is pretty flexible but would want to keep hours about 9 - 5 each day. She works from home and travels some but is on conference calls all day so she can't keep her son at home.
It would be great for her because we live in the same neighborhood.
I'd like to hear from other moms that keep other kids in their home.
What's the going rate?
How do you feel about it? Does it "cramp" your style? Do you have to stay home or is it just the agreement you have with the mom?
I just don't want to make a big commitment like this and feel sorry for doing it.
I decided against it. Thank you to everyone that replied. I just thought that it wasn't worth being tied down so much for about $700 a month. I have one very flexible part time job already that pays good. THANKS MAMAS!
You would have to make arrangements with mom so that if you need to go somewhere you can take the child with you. the going rate $100-$125 a week. It would give you a little extra money and someone for your child to play with later. Put the child on your schedule so that it is more flexible for you. So if your baby takes a nap at certain times then the other child is too and so forth.
B.
You won't have the flexibility to do things, go places you'd like to at the spur of the moment. When hubby takes a vacation -- you have to make arrangements and plans with your employer (your friend). Or when hubby has an infrequent day off of work -- you still have the baby to care for. You basically are at the service of your friend and her schedule because she's hired you to do a job. what about when you're sick or your child's sick? -- she'll still expect you to care for her child.
It's a hard situation that can turn a friendship into a rocky relationship.
I did this for about 1-2 wks and I didn't like how I felt tied to my home and to their schedule. My husband and I have made the commitment and sacrifice for me to stay home with my son -- and therefore I like having the flexibility in our schedule to do different things -- when my son was an infant we did swim baby classes, Mommy & Me exercise classes, playdates, going to my gym, church MOMS connection meetings.... etc. So we always had things to do that I couldn't do if I was watching another child.
But we didn't need the money so it wasn't a financial decision --- I know sometimes it's worth sacrificing the flexibility if the money is needed to help the family budget.
First and foremost, do you need the money? If yes, than this might be a great way for you to see all of your childs milestones, and keep him in your home. This is the choice that I have made, and for the most part I do not regret it. I have over extended myself, and allowed my family to depend on me for more than I should have to give. I have 4 kids of my own, and currently keep another 4. That is too much!! But I will be downsizing at the end of this school year. But, in my opinion, and 12 years of experience, it should not really cramp your style. You need a double stroller for sure, but you can still head to the mall, go to the library, even head to the pool. IF, that is your personality that is!! You need to lay out some expectations, in writing, and then stick to it. I say you could charge around $150 per week, or even a little more. You need to discuss what you will do when she takes a day off( she should pay you regardless, unless it is a scheduled vacation). Or what about when you need time off. She should have someone she can call in case your son is sick. You should be paid on the Moday morning of the week you are about to be working. And, what will you do if she needs him to stay later than usual? And, of course, it depends on her personality too. Your parenting styles need to blend. This is a lot to think about, but it is a good way to make money if you need too, but it is a lot of work, so be careful about the decision!! Let me know if you have any other quesitons! ~A.~
It all depends on you. Are you really willing to give up the flexibility of being able to go out shopping, playdates,walks, lunch. Me personally that's why I don't have a fulltime day job cause I am a single mom and there is no way that I can be strapped at home and not being able to take my son places,activites, speech therapy, playdates and work during the day fulltime. I work part time during the day as needed basis and work evenings as a night nanny for right now. I will be going back to school the 1st June and when I graduated am hoping to continue working at night so I can have the flexibility to spend time w/my son and be involved w/his activities as much as possible. I think even if my son didn't need speech therapy or to be involved in other activites I would still not work fulltime during the day cause I don't want to miss out and I love the flexibility. His dad has a flexibile schedule as well. I hope this helps.
Good Luck
M.
