Dealing with Day Care Disaster

Your morning was going along just fine until your child’s home-based day care provider called to tell you she was closing for two days to go to a family member’s funeral. Why does this have to happen on the day you’ve got a presentation at work with a not-so-understanding boss?

All parents of small children should have a back-up plan for childcare options but chances are you don’t think about that plan until the crisis hits. Taking time to develop a response for such unexpected situations can ease your mind and reduce your stress level if the unthinkable does occur.

For those with willing family members nearby, the answer may be more obvious than for moms without that close family support system. So how can you plan ahead so you won’t be left at the last minute without an alternative care provider?

1. Do your homework. Check out daycare centers, home-based centers or mother’s day out programs near your home or office to find those that provide drop-in care. If you find one that you think might work, test it out by leaving your child there for an hour or two while you go shopping or run other errands. Your child will feel more at home when you really need to take her there in an emergency and you’ll feel more at ease knowing she’s met the adults with whom she’ll be staying.



2. Meet some teens. Some of the best last-minute sitters are teens in your neighborhood or teenagers of your friends. Make some phone calls before the crisis strikes and find several teens who would be willing and able to respond in a moment’s notice. Invited them over (with pay) to play with your child one afternoon while you while you are at home so you can see the interaction between the teen and your child. Ask for their cell phone numbers so they can be reached quickly.
   
   
3. Call Nanny 911. Peruse your yellow pages for nanny services. Ask them specific questions about the services they provide, as well as the credentials of their nannies. Arrange for a visit with a potential nanny at your home when your child is there to see if you would be comfortable with that type of care-giving situation. For children who prefer to play at their own homes, this may be the best answer.



4. Neighbor to the rescue. If you are neighborly with a stay-at-home mom or the grandmotherly type next door, you may be able to use some old fashion bartering to secure your child a safe haven in a caregiver crisis. In years past, neighbors relied on each other as a support system. Offer to keep the stay-at-home mom’s kids while she grocery shops or enjoys an evening out. Invite the older neighbor to have dinner with your family or run some errands for her if she is unable to drive.

With any of these childcare options, a little preplanning goes a long way. Have phone numbers readily available, make that phone call and relax, knowing that your child will be well cared for and you’ll be ace your presentation!