So I'm a stay at home mom and want to take on one client per month but I'm really stuck with childcare. I am clueless as to what to do... I just moved into town and so don't know many people so networking is not working out. It's been difficult for me to find someone who is willing to be on call but only actually do one or two days worth of childcare per month. Is anyone else in the same situation, and have any advice? I'd much appreciate it.

Chloe.

I am in your same situation. My DD is going on 3 and she's in a daycare program 3 days a week for socialization reasons (and my chronic swings between employment and unemployment!), and she'll switch to their preschool program soon. My DS is going to be 1 in Oct., and as long as he's in the month of his first birthday, I can drop him off on a per-diem basis.

You can call daycares and ask if they have a drop-off policy, or join or start some moms groups and get a babysitting co-op going!

I'm in this situation and I've had to take hiatus for quite some time. I think I am on the verge of getting back into doula work but this past year I've not been able to take clients because of childcare. But you know what? I'm ok with that! I was very dissapointed at first but it didn't take me long to come to the conclusion that my little ones won't be little for long and my doula work will always be there. I'm trying to stay active through birth networks and I continue to read and learn here but I've had no births since June of last year!!! I figure it'll work out when it is supposed to and the childcare thing will fall into place when the time is right.

I am in the same position. On top of what you have already listed, my other problem is that I am very non-trusting when it comes to people watching my dd. The only people I have ever let watch dd besides myself and dh, is my mom and dad. I do have one friend that I trust wholeheartedly, but unfortunately she is getting a job (haha, fortunate for her, unfortunate for me).
I was just discussing with dh a possible solution to my situation. I was asking him if I were to take on one birth a month, and the client called me while he was at work, if he would be able to leave work to come be with dd at home. He said his sargeants might let him if it was just once a month. But...he was like "what if it's a long birth like 24 hrs or more?" A possible solution I thought of would be if say he gave up one day off to make up for that day he would miss. Does that make sense?
So I think we're going to discuss a little more...maybe talk to his superiors and see if that would work. I just feel really ready to start doula work.

Anyways, all that to sub! :) I'm interested in the replies!

I have my parents nearby, my best friend who only works 3 days a week, my neighbor who works 3 different days, and a very easygoing employer of my dh's. So it always works out. My parents are usually the 1st choice, b/c I don't like leaving both of my boys with anyone for a long period of time b/c they're a handful together.

i actually posted a request on a local online mom's forum and got a great response from other moms willing to be on call for me should i need it.

I called local daycares and asked if they had space for drop-in childcare. One of them did and it has worked out well. Usually I just call to give her heads up that we'll be coming in case she needs to bring in another helper.

Hi there. I'm in a similar situation where I'm starting my training and will be able to seek out clients come November but I lack easy childcare at this point. I've asked my neighbour who pointed me to a traditional home daycare in our area but I'm not sure that will fit our needs.

Have you checked with your local doula group? I wish I had more advice. Good luck!

This is my problem as well. It's very hard to find someone willing to watch 3 kiddos at the last minute. I had never thought about calling a local daycare. My DD goes to preschool and they also have a daycare program. Hmmmm...I will have to talk with the admin on Wed. I have a friend who can sit in the afternoon and my DH can be flexible at times. My MIL lives here and stays home, but I doubt she would help :(

This is my biggest worry, too. I haven't started taking clients yet because I have a one year old son and if my mom and husband are both working, I don't really have anyone else who I would trust to watch him. I can't imagine just sending him to a daycare. I would be worried he would get tired and need a nap- I always lay down with him until he falls asleep, and he would never fall asleep in a crib. He would just scream. I think it would be traumatic for him.

I have a loving neighbor willing to do fill in care until dh can get home....for up to 10hrs. She has no children but is quite the Auntie to all of mine and loads more patient then I am:rofl
I'm also looking at getting a doula-partner SAHM with kids of a similar age as mine so we can help eachother out. I'd like to have a whole group to work with so it's more fair. This is a bit of a problem because I also have the trust issue...and many more children then most people....

This is difficult for me as well and since I am homeschooling I am not really willing to stick my five year old in a daycare full of one or two year olds (at least not ALL the time). Luckily my hubby can come home when I get called out but I am not making enough money to cover the cost of him taking time off. I just keep plugging away with a vision that it will even itself out sometime..and it is nice for the kids and the marriage for hubby to be in that role more often.

I stress about this every time....my mom is sorta available but her health is not great...the last time I was on call she had gout. Lucily my father happened to be on holidays so they were able to cover the extra two hours I needed.

My best friend is available 2-3 days a week and my MIL is available 1-2 days a week...unfortnatly though days overlap....if need be my husband can come home if all else fails...he will leave a few holidays open as well as bank his overtime.

I have experienced this as well.

When I decided to go to midwifery school I also decided to hire a live-in nanny as I need to travel for school and training. Also, I can concentrate more on school when I don't have to run out to the bus or go scrub the bathroom. I also decided to start doula work again after she arrived.

Before I had a nanny I rarely did doula work as childcare was a huge stress for me.

I have experienced this as well.

When I decided to go to midwifery school I also decided to hire a live-in nanny as I need to travel for school and training. Also, I can concentrate more on school when I don't have to run out to the bus or go scrub the bathroom. I also decided to start doula work again after she arrived.

Before I had a nanny I rarely did doula work as childcare was a huge stress for me.
OK, send me your nanny and I'll definitely have #5! ;)

I trade childcare with other doulas.

I also homeschool and am part of a couple local homeschool groups. Have you thought about finding a 16/17 year old homeschool girl that could drop her studies for one or two days out of a month? I know some that do that. Also, I have other homeschool moms who are willing to watch my kids for a day b/c I am willing to take theirs. I use the time for births and they use the time for a day out or planning day for thier schooling. :shrug Might be an idea to do an internet search on "homeschool groups" and your area or town name. If you find a contact person for the group, there is usually a list serv or newsletter that shares opportunities, field trips, etc. with the rest of the group.

OK, send me your nanny and I'll definitely have #5! ;)
Haha! No, sorry, no can do. I sold my investments off to pay for tuition, travel and her wages and then had to wait 5 months for her to get her visa and work permit.