Single Parent Child Care Solutions

Every parent understands the importance of "down-time" spent away from their children. Single Parents are especially in need of this time of physical, emotional and spiritual refreshment as we deal with ALL parenting responsibilities on our own.

To have a few hours of peace, quiet and relaxation is essential to keeping our sanity. We love our children so much and spend most of our time tending to their needs, playing games, cooking & cleaning. Our children need us to be there for them, but we don't do them any good when we neglect our own needs. Parents can become very "cranky" when lacking proper rest, nutrition, and a little "adult" time.

Do not feel guilty about taking this time for yourself. You are actually helping them by allowing yourself "renewal" time. They will have a mom or dad refreshed and ready to handle all the many challenges of parenting again. I suggest getting out of the house and spending at least 3-4 hours per week doing something that just you enjoy doing.

Take advantage of the classes being offered in your area such as crafts, dance, fitness, swimming, or even horse-riding. Get together with friends for lunch, or go to the bookstore and relax. The idea is to do something YOU are interested in and not think or worry about your children. This is your time!

For Single Parents who already have a nice support system of family and friends who watch your children for you Child Care is not an issue. But for Single Parents without close support of family or friends available, it is a VERY important issue.

When you are the sole provider and only parent to your children your need for a quality babysitter is very great.

Child Caregivers generally fall into three main categories:

• Family & Friends
• Babysitters & Nannies
• Daycare Centers, Preschools & After School Care

Several Websites have a directory of Babysitters and Caregivers for parents to search through. You can read the profiles, choose the zip code, review hourly rates, etc... for Child Care providers in your area.

• www.ChildCareAware.org Child Care Aware provides helpful tools and a zip code child care referral finder.
  
  
• www.Babysitters.com Babysitters.com has a nationwide list of local sitters. Find the Babysitter that matches your needs.
  
  
• www.PhoneaBabysitter.com This service connects parents with babysitters in their area.
  
  
• www.SitterCity.com Sitter City is America's leading sitter site. They have a four-step screening process which delivers only quality child care providers. Also providing listings for elderly, house, and pet sitters.
  
  
• www.GoNannies.com Go Nannies is a service connecting Nannies, Babysitters and other Domestic help to families who need them. Large online directory.
  
  
• www.SitterCafe.com The Sitter Cafe provides parents local babysitter listings and work for child care providers.

Be sure to interview the candidate who will be caring for your children. Here is a helpful list of questions to ask. Each Single Parent's Child Care needs will be different and each family is unique!

1) Experience - How many years have you babysat? Number of years working with children?

2) References - Do you have references? Names and numbers of parents she's babysat for, employers, parents - if applicable.

3) Certifications - Are you First Aid or CPR certified?

4) Availability - What hours and days are you available to babysit? Can she sit overnight?

5) Pay - What is the hourly rate? Is she negotiable for your circumstances?

6) Discipline - How do you handle children who misbehave? Give her instructions for disciplining your child and make sure she can carry them out.

7) Cooking - Will she cook meals, make sandwiches, snacks or do light housecleaning?

8) Inspiration - What is your overall child care philosophy? Why do you enjoy working with children?

9) Activities - What activities and games will you play with the children? (This is important if you don't want your child sitting in front of a TV the whole time you are away.)

10) Transportation - Will you be providing your own transportation? Can she drive to your home or need to be picked up?

There are other key questions to ask, and you will have your own individual questions regarding your unique circumstances. You will want to know if your sitter is a smoker and whether or not they is a Christian babysitter. Be sure to let the child care provider know the standards you expect in your home up front.

If you work outside the home with children enrolled in a school, you will most likely need Child Care year round. If you qualify for state assistance with food stamps or medicaid, you can usually obtain child care at a discount through the providers listed with the state. Call your local Dept of Human Services and ask about child care vouchers and assistance.

A National site that may aid your search for quality child care is the National Child Care Information Center.

Choosing a quality child care provider is a very important decision and responsibility we have. Any person who will spend time with and influence our children should be thoroughly checked out. It is well worth the effort to know our children are safe while we enjoy some free time!