I am about to have a panick attack

[treeluva]

As some of you may know, I am in the military, stationed in Germany.

Recently, I have been getting into some child care issues, number one being, there is no one to watch my children when I have to go to work after the daycare closes.

So, I have been exploring the possibility of getting out of the Army. I know that I would take a major paycut, even though I am not rolling in the dough now, but you have to take into consideration the money for housing, food, and health care. With all of that, plus my base pay, I make close to 50 thousand dollars a year. (That is including the cost of medical care)

Basically, I would need a job that pays about 25 dollars an hour to maintain the same standard of living, with medical benefits free.

I can not continue bringing my children to work with me, or leaving them with anyone and everyone who will keep them for a few hours. But, I also cant have them starving because I cant meet the basic needs, I mean, screw the credit cards if it came down to it, we are going to eat and have a house and clothing.

I am researching this idea quite throughly, but I was wondering, has anyone else been through this?

[Kimberlina]

I've not been through it- we just cut our lifestyle back so I can work just 15 hours while DH is home and I stay with DD while he is at work.

I totally understand the no babysitter thing, though.

Do you just not feel close enough or trust anyone there enough? Are there any other mother's living on the base you cold ask for references or that you think might be safe to watch them? Or is it paying someone to watch them? How many hours do you work after the daycare is closed? Maybe you could swap sitting duties with another family?

[MOMMYDEAREST]

my sister is going through the same thing right now too. she is a single mother of a little girl who is 18mths old. she can't afford to quit her job. i try to help her out as much as possible, but i have 4 kids of my own too, & i have a very busy schedule, plus i babysit 2 extra kids during the week. and it is really bad because my sister only makes $9.00 a hour & she can't afford to really pay anyone for childcare. plus her work schedules her alot on the weekends too, and she really can't find a sitter on the weekends. good luck i'm sure thigns will work out for you.......sending hugs your way!!!

[Lorelei]

Have you tried asking at the child care center if they know anyone who might be available to babysit as needed? We tried that when we were new to an area and didn't know anyone who could help us during work crunches. The person they recommended was wonderful and having a back-up when needed was a huge stress reducer.

[shelsmiles]

I can very well understand what you are going through. I had an awful time of it with child care at one point myself. One thing that I did was to try to swap babysitting with friends who were in the same boat so to speak. For instance, my friend Stephanie worked weekends and some holidays. I would sit for her and she in turn would watch my kids when she wasn't working during the week or when my sitter would just not show up. We didn't pay one another we just traded. This worked very well for me.

[dwallyfam]

You may want to ask some of day care staff themselves if they are willing to earn a little bit of extra $$$ or work something out in trade.

Kellie

[leezza]

Treeluva,

I don't have children but I can understand the military part......my hubby was in the military when we first got married, (the PX, on station gas station and all the insurance and stuff).......when he first got out it took us 4-5 years to be able to make up for those lost beni's......I would suggest talking to your chaplan, maybe inquire at the base church, for some suggestions on your day care problem.......I think you should try to stay in the military because it is very stable and at this point you are making good money and able to raise your little one well.....

JMHO,
leezza