[skbrush]

I am mostly a stay at home mom. I do shops, sell stuff online and have a yearly garage sale. Those are the ways I make extra $$ when I cannot sub at school. I sometimes cover shifts at a local restaurant but it is getting too hard. I just got off b/c we were soo busy, my DH had the kids. HE works in 4 hours!! He is not going to get enough sleep if I work these late hours

I have a big decision to make-plz give me your opinion. I will be sending our DD off to K this year & I will have the baby at home. I wonder if paying for a babysitter and subbing would be worth it? I was thinking about try trying to put together a small babysitting service. I do not have much of yard for big play I have plenty of toys/books to make centers for play and learning. I am just not sure if I want to give up my home to other people? My DH works 2nd shift during the week & has a PT 1st shift on the weekends.

What should I do?? Who babysits?? HOw does it work?

I just want to think about the future and contribute. I have not worked full time since Aug 03.

[armympwife]

If you have a baby at home and a little one in school you might want to look into before and after care. The parents would drop their school aged kids off with you, you'd feed them breakfast and then drive them to school. You'd them pick them up after school, feed them again, help with homework, and wait for their parents to pick them up. You have to decide though if you want the baby out twice in the winter, I imagine it gets cold in Ohio If you had kids during the day, as a parent I'm not sure if I'd want you to drive with them to go pick up your daughter. Also how does your DH feel about having additional kids and their parents in your home? I had also thought about babysitting when DS was little and didn't do it because DH works nights sometimes and we knew he wouldn't get much sleep with a bunch of kids in the house. Just my thoughts.

[skbrush]

He is crabby about everything!! Can never get an answer out of him especially this.

I am worried about paying for care b/c I do not know how much I will be subbing??
Not sure what to do!

[boyzrus]

I'm with armympwife, think about before and after school care. I know some schools offer it, but you can't get it with kindergarten and some people would prefer a home setting. That way you will have most of the day free to do your housekeeping/errands/couponing.

The other thing you could think about is just part-time daycare. Right now I need daycare for 1/2 a day, 1 day a week and I'm having a hard time finding it. If you did it for people on a part-time basis, that would give you some flexibility.

I would get the word out through people you know at church and school. It would be a slow start. Subbing is a great way to get more income, but as you said it's unpredictable, but maybe you can find a daycare that would let you be flexible.

Good luck!

Mary

[tryingtosave23]

I know several people who do this and enjoy it. My concerns would be picking your DD from school with the kids. Taking a vacation (which I am sure you could work out with the parents, but may be hard). If you or your LO gets sick, do you keep the kids anyway, or ask them not to come? In an emergency situation, (family member sick etc) what do you do?
And from a parent of children in daycare, I depend on my daycare to be open 5 days a week, no matter what is going on. I work in a small office and if I am not there my workload falls on others. I only miss if my k ids are sick.
Can you tell, I have actually thought about doing this?
I hope all the answers help you make a decision.
Oh, and I know that the children you keep will have a bond with you that will last a lifetime!!!

[BStroh]

Along with what Boysrus said, part-time daycare. How about a back-up day care service, so when other home providers are closed for vacation, emergencies, sick kids etc, you would be able to provide care in your home when needed. This would still give you time at home to be with your baby. Just a thought...

[angel wings]

I had a home day care while or daughters were growing up. I loved it. And I NEVER had anyone that would not pay me. THe best way for you decide is to put it to pen and pencil. How many children do you want to keep? What do you want to charge? Call daycares in your area to see and charge them the same amount or a little less. When it comes to Vacation time or Dr appointments. Let parents know in advance what your dates would be so they can work something out. Also remember the use of Groceries, lights, gas and the use of house can be taken off taxes!!
Hope this helps.

[lifeworthliving]

Shop the sales. Stay at home as long as you can. Don't work to pay someone else to raise your child. Not worth it.

[Momtoabunch]

Originally Posted by skbrush

I am mostly a stay at home mom.


I just want to think about the future and contribute. I have not worked full time since Aug 03.

I just wanted to point out that you do contribute. Raising and caring for your children and caring for your husband and homeIS contributing in total to your home.

Have you heard of or read Dave Ramsey? His books are likely at your library. He may have some help for you.

[Kcash69]

When I worked 3rd shift. I had a hard time finding a sitter for those hours. If you have room for some kids to sleep. It's easy money . I know a lot or 3rd shifters would appreciate having someone who is willing to baby sit during the night shift.
Also there are 3rd shifters who's spouses are at home with the kids at night but they need a sitter so they can sleep during the day. I've been in that boat too.

[Tara]

ODJFS Online | Child Day Care

Ohio Daycare, Ohio Daycare Listings, Ohio Childcare

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education - State Childcare Regulations

Links to resources for providers

http://www.occrra.org/fcc/Provider_Top_10.pdf Top Ten Things ChildCare Providers In Ohio Will Want To Know

Laws do vary from state to state, even county to county.

Some people claim the payment they give you on their tax forms to get a credit.

Insurance in case of accident may be something you want to check.

Do you have nice neighbors or could that be a hassle if they called on you for having a bunch of kids at your house every day?

There is definitely alot to consider when making the decision to having other children in your home. I think it is great you are considering this.

[skbrush]

WOW thanks everyone for the info ideas and support. SO nice to have everyone to talk too!

I will just have to sit down with him to help me make that BIG decision.
He said to Emma this morning you need to pay mom $1.00/hour to babysit your dolls while your at school b/c she needs a job. I wanted to punch him!!!!!
I really do shop the sales, 2nd hand store. I cannot remeber when I ever paid for something full price. I spend HIS money very wisely
My neighbor around the corner has babysit for 20 years, they stop over sometimes on their morning walks. My next door neighbors are grandparents to 16 and babysit here and there. They are other moms that stay home on my block but they do not babysit.

[lhart24]

Originally Posted by skbrush

WOW thanks everyone for the info ideas and support. SO nice to have everyone to talk too!

I will just have to sit down with him to help me make that BIG decision.
He said to Emma this morning you need to pay mom $1.00/hour to babysit your dolls while your at school b/c she needs a job. I wanted to punch him!!!!!
I really do shop the sales, 2nd hand store. I cannot remeber when I ever paid for something full price. I spend HIS money very wisely
My neighbor around the corner has babysit for 20 years, they stop over sometimes on their morning walks. My next door neighbors are grandparents to 16 and babysit here and there. They are other moms that stay home on my block but they do not babysit.

You may want to ask the neighbor if you can help her with the babysitting.. you could bring your baby along and by having you should may be able to provide for more kids... just a thought...