I'm a military mom. That means NEVER having a partner who can definitively say he'll be around and having to "fly solo" often - sometimes at a moment's notice or for more than a year at a time. I tapped into my community; found a young wife who was interested in what I did but had no kids herself and mentored her into the role of postpartum doula/mother's helper. She watched my kiddos at my home during births and I refered her to clients for their PP needs. If there was a concern or question that she could not yet address, I was on call to her and her clients regardless of whether they were mine to begin with. It was an amazing set up. I miss it!

I know this post was posted a long time ago, but thought I'd respond anyway! I have my Mom and 2 other friends who I've asked if they were willing to be on call when I have a birth. I figured with 3 people, I have a good chance of getting one of them to agree to that particular birth. I offered $50 for the babysitting. I have 3 kids ages 7 1/2, 6 and 3. My husband works from 8-4:30 so we're not talking odd hours. $50 isn't a huge amount of money, but they'll get it even if they watch them for only 1 hour. It's what they get for being willing to be on call!

I have been thinking about this issue a lot. Right now, I only take 2 clients/month because I just don't think my family can handle missing me more than that. I have been on call for 5 births this summer and it has been difficult. Originally, my husband was going to take off work for a day or two per month, but since then things have changed for him at work and he can no longer do that. I have been able to call my mother, who lives 2 hrs away, and she has been able to come, but I think she struggles to take care of my 3 young children for extended hrs. Now that school has started, I need more options because she will not drive the van, and with one in kindergarten and one in preschool and one home full time I will sometimes need someone to be the driver! I also have a really supportive group of at home mom friends, and I have 3 go to moms that I know will take good care of my kids. I offer then 8$/hr for the first kid, 2$/hr for each additional kid, which makes it 12$/hr for all three, but much more expensive if I have to split them up. They have all told me I don't have to pay them but I insist. I do not want to ruin any friendships! Right now I don't have another birth for a few months, and I need to figure something out. I have been thinking about interviewing people and looking into drop in care options. I would love suggestions. I have one child with severe food allergies and so anyone caring for him must be willing to learn and use his epi pen, as well as restrict the food their own children eat when he is around. It limits my options significantly! Still, I love this business. It is worth it!