Does anyone have any suggestions on how to find help. Only one living family member willing to help me ever and she works a 50 hour week. Tried high school kids 2 expensive ($10/h) if I only need one. My husband and myself have only gotten out 3 time in 2.5 years together and the childcare was more expensive than the date. We are new to the area that we live in. Neighbors are nice but keep to themselves. Don't belong to a church. Don't know where to turn. I really need to go talk with someone for my health and no one will let me bring the kids, husband is working so we can scrap by. Two kids in speech therapy so I use my mom that one day she can help me to get the kids to appointments weekly.

I want to laugh it seems crazy. Everyone is always so amazed, "wow your hands are full" or "I am sure you must have plenty of help" Yes they are and no I don't. Have an suggestions of where to turn?

Hi,

I am really sorry you are having this problem. I know it can be really hard to make connections in a new community. Can you join a multiples group in your area. I know it wouldn't be easy, but maybe you could trade childcare with another mom. I do that with my neighbor. I take her youngest 2 days/week and pick up her older kids from school one day/week. In return, she takes my boys 1 day/week.
Also, in my area, there is a parent/child centre that runs drop off programs that are reasonably priced and subsidies are available.

If you were in my area, I would help!

Kyla
BBB - July 2007

You can try www.sittercity.com a friend of mine has used that site before. You can also try posting on the local college board for a mother's helper if you have one near you. If you lived near me in NH I would help you!

I would suggest trying to get together with a moms club...even if it is not a multiples one.

As for the HS kids, try something about awake time and sleeping time. I used to pay $10/h when they were awake and $8/h when they were sleeping...and then I would time it so the kids were only awake for about an hour. I figured if the kids are sleeping the babysitter isn't really doing anything but watching TV or what ever.

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com

Even though you don't belong to a church doesn't mean you can't ask for help from one. Many churches will help you even if you're not a member. Check it out. Also, if you have any retirement communities near you check them out (post a flier on a bulletin board). Many old ladies are willing to help out mothers with young children. Good luck to you.

Joan
mom to Caroline, Erin and Robbie
born 9/26/05 @ 35 weeks
visit us at http://www.babyhomepages.net/greenetriplets

Any chance you can qualify for respite care? We qualified for 48 hours a month. We were allowed to leave during that time and the care giver did laundry and fed the kids, etc. It was funded by a regional center here in California, but if you google respite care, you maybe able to find a similar resource.

Vicki
http://threepeasinapod.typepad.com
Oliver, Rosie, Alexander 33 weekers born 2/10/06
Gracie 1/7/09