RoxanneAs much as you may want to be the only one who takes care of your kids, there are times where you simply need help.
Maybe you need to run certain errands where kids can’t tag along. Perhaps you need to work at an upcoming job that you just got hired for. Or you maybe you’re just looking for babysitting help so you can have some time alone or head out to a social event.
Regardless of the why, let’s discuss how you can find childcare without breaking the bank.
Solicit the Help of Your Friends and Family
This option comes first because it can be the least costly and come with the most peace of mind.
Your loved ones know your struggle better than anyone else can. They know how important your kids are, but also how you may need time away from them to accomplish tasks. This is why before you look anywhere else, you should see if your friends and family can help with childcare.
Beyond the convenience aspect, you can leave your children with people you know best. In other words, you won’t have to worry about leaving them alone with strangers, background checks, expensive certifications, and the like.
What may have stopped you from asking those who you know if they can take care of your child? Worry that your request could seem like a burden.
If your children’s grandparents live nearby, they probably will look forward to taking care of them. The same holds true for those closest to you, so don’t feel bad about asking for the favor.
As for how friends and family can translate into free or low-cost childcare, there are several ways to do it.
For starters, you can ask for free help if they live very close, and you only need a few hours of care. If that’s not an option and you’re going out with a friend who also has kids, you could split the cost of a babysitter since you’ll both need one.
Speaking of friends with children, offer to take care of their kids from time to time. They can then return the favor when you need it for free or whatever low price you agree on.
Keep an Eye out for Special School and Community Programs
If your child is already in preschool, they may offer special parents’ night out programs where they’ll take care of children at a very low cost or even free. While this won’t be routine care, every little bit helps.
Schools aren’t the only ones with such events, as churches, daycares, and other community organizations can do the same.
To find these forms of added help, you can personally ask people in the groups you’re associated with. You can also check the bulletin boards at churches or schools or the newspaper.
Last, but not least, scour social media. There may be Facebook groups of parents in your city who can point you in the right direction of convenient childcare opportunities.
Try Drop-Off Childcare Centers
Do you only need childcare for a few hours on an occasional basis? If so, you may not need costly daycare, and a drop-off childcare center may be your best bet.
Unlike regular daycare, a drop-off center allows you to leave your child for a few hours while you complete your tasks. By only using them for a fraction of the time, you can cut your costs significantly.
