WAHM Carnival #3 – Childcare
And we come to another WAHM carnival. I’m a little behind because of the holidays, but if I had some childcare help maybe that wouldn’t be the case. Of course, you can probably tell by that snippy comment that this week’s carnival was on childcare. 
Hsien-Hsien Lei gives us a look at hiring a mother’s helper in the form of a playdate. Sneaky, Hsien, sneaky, but I like it.
Kimberly Webb takes a look at the effects your current WAHM opportunity might have on other moms. Pick one thing and stick with it (and stop hitting up your friends). Good advice!
Shannon Cherry looks at maternity leave and childcare. Essential tips here people…
All issues we can relate to…
I’ve been trying to decide what I want to do. I’ve not really decided yet, but I do have something in the works that might answer our childcare situation.
I don’t really need childcare, as I can lean on my hubby from time to time or get a sitter now and then if he can’t take up the slack. But I DO need help with laundry and cleaning.
I may be offering up a room in our home in exchange for laundry help and a small rent fee. I’ve found a candidate and we are working out the formalities.
If so, this may be the answer that fits our family. I’ll let you know how it goes.
The next WAHM carnival will begin accepting submissions next Tuesday. The topic is Holiday Survival.
Thank you so much for doing this!
Hope it works out well for you
Au pairs are very common here in London. How about where you are? Although I don’t think they do much housework except as it relates to the kids.
In America, au pairs are required to do the housework related to the kids. My au pair makes the bottles and the baby food, stocks the diaper station, vacuums the kids’ areas and does their laundry.
I couldn’t be a WAHM without her!
Robyn,
Please give us a follow on post in a few months and let us know how things work out. I have been doing the juggle for 10 years with out any formal help. It is getting easier as the kids get older and are in school. When my youngest was an infant we were lucky that my 18 year old niece was staying with us for about 9 months. That was the best 9 months as I just felt like I had a spare set of hands.
Well, after talking again last night with the girl, I’m coming to think maybe I need an actual Au Pair, and not just a hand with the laundry. I’ll keep you posted.
Hsien, if I got an Au Pair or Nanny, I’d be the only one with live in help anywhere near me (as far as I know). I have a cousin in GA with a nanny and our whole family talks about her like she’s lazy/too rich (sour grapes I think). I think it’s not common at all.
My in-laws are from Hong Kong and Singapore where domestic helpers are very common. Over there, they think anyone who goes without a live-in helper is insane or arrogant. haha
Robyn,
If you need some help finding a good au pair, give me a shout. Happy to help!
I’d love your help in this