Huge dilemma

MyBabeMaddie wrote: I'm starting to get a taste of what things will be like when I am working full time in January. I have to get 192 hours in at the hospital before graduation - Its just like starting work - I'll prob be working 3 12 hour days starting this coming monday.

So here's my dilemma. This monday I will start working 7am to 7pm... My mom can take Madison to daycare in the morning with out a problem... BUT daycare closes at 6pm and my mom can not gaurantee that she will be able to pick her up and watch her until I get home. That leaves me with my 2 brothers who refuse to help, my dad who is lazy, Adam's mom who said its not her problem, and my 80 year old grandma (I HATE to rely on her even though you could never tell she was 80).

So I guess I need to find a babysitter for now, someone who can pick her up from daycare and watch her until around 8 at night - But I dont know where to begin looking for a sitter and I don't have the extra money around to pay for one.

When I work overnights... Which that is what I will be doing when I start my real job I will work 7pm-7am... My mom works as much as possible and I told her when I start working if she takes care of Madison I'll help her pay some of the bills since I'll be making more $$ than her.... She still says she needs to work bc she doesn't want me to spend my money on the bills/mortgage.... So who is going to put Madison to bed the 3 nights a week that I work? I have no idea. Nobody is willing to step up and help me and now I'm freaking out. I just put myself through school, graduation is SOOO close and now its like "well you just did all of this hard work but since the schedule doesn't fit with being a single parent you just have to wait til shes old enough to be home alone". I'm super frustrated. Sorry this got so long- I hope I got my dilemma across I tend to just rant and rave and not make sense.

cameragirl21 replied: Sarah, you are my hero, seriously, after all you've been through you're now graduating only one semester behind schedule and all this with arguably the best degree you could get for your future and at the ripe age of 22 will already be out earning your mother, good for you, your future is bright!
As for your dilemma--I'm sorry that your family and Adam's mom are so unwilling to step up, I don't think I'd be inclined to ask 80 year old grandma unless you believe she is healthy enough (in body AND mind) to attend to an active toddler.
I think what I'd do in your place is try to find a moms' coop or better yet a single moms' coop where you all swap baby sitting hours so that maybe on of the mom's can help you out during the hours you need and you will help her out during the hours she needs. That way you have your child in the hands of another mom who understands your situation.
Another option is perhaps to ask at your church, I know some churches offer free babysitting and while it's not likely to be the evening hours you are seeking they may have someone who is willing to do it low cost for you.
Once you get your degree and start working, I'd be inclined to hire someone, even if it's just a college kid (I babysat for extra money in college and the kids loved me and I did a great job) because then you'll have the $$ to pay for quality care. In the interim, I'd try to find a mom to swap duties with.
There also may be some daycares that are open till 8 or so and have weekend hours, I know we have some of those here. Especially if you can find a dayhome situation that you're comfortable with, they generally are more flexible since they're working out of their homes.
Good luck, I'm so proud of you, seriously!

mummy2girls replied: Sorry hun you are in this spot. Have you looked into sitters just to see what thier price range is? you never know you may find someone:) Other than that i am not sure what to suggest... I wanted to be a nurse but because of the hours and being a single mom that went out the window:)

PrairieMom replied: I totally feel your pain. This is the age old question in our hospital too. Our hospital sponsored day care is only open 8-5, even tho 2/3 of the staff work 12 hour shifts, and its not even on sight. I don't know what to tell you. The people I work with all have individual plans for their children, families that help out, or friends. There HAS to be a day home somewhere that can help you out. Maybe you can ask around at work?
To bad your mom won't step up and help you out.

Kaitlin'smom replied: you might then consider a nanny instead of a daycare type place.

That really stinks someone is not willing to help you out like that. heck I woudl do it if I was closer to you. Hope you can figure something out.

momofone replied: maybe there is a different line of nursing you can go into with different hours.
my neighbors is a visiting nurse during the day and also fills in as a school nurse during the day hours.

or maybe those medi clinics or doctor offices with day hours

MommyToAshley replied: Have you looked into the hospital sponsored daycare? I know some of them have different hours. A friend of mine works at Children's hospital and works odd shifts... some days and some nights. She takes her girl to the daycare at her work. She loves it becasue she sneaks away on her breaks to see her little girl.

I don't really have any other ideas, other than have you tried asking the others in your program what they are doing? Or maybe the daycare in your building will have some suggestions even if they aren't open later.

I hope the right answer just lands in your lap.

Congratulations... you should be so proud of yourself!

sparkys2boys replied: Oh that all stinks, I am sorry. I would put the word out around work, with other family anf friends and I am sure that it will all work out. You have worked to hard to give it up without a fight. Gl

mckayleesmom replied: Have you looked to see if someobody else in your class is willing to trade off with you. There might be someone in the same boat as you...you never know.

Calimama replied: I'd try a nanny.. or maybe a friend until you've saved up enough to pay a nanny? I'm sorry, it sounds like a tough situation. If you lived closer I'd do it for you.

lisar replied: My cousin is a nanny. She is in nursing school right now, but when she isnt in school she is a Nanny for these 2 little girls. She goes to school during the day and she picks those girls up from extended day and their parents dont get home till 9pm. Maybe try and find a college student (you can trust) to help you out with that.

luvmykids replied: My neighbor is a nurse, and single mom of two....she has a nanny instead of daycare. It would probably be hard to find someone just for that hour after daycare closes, but maybe if you paid them to pick her up around 5 and stay until you get home for now, and when you work overnights, same type of deal, have them come from 6pm until your mom gets home.