Is there any way of not having to put baby in childcare?

[ProjectBaby87]

This may have been done to death so apologies up front. I was curious to know if anyone had successfully managed to go back to work after having a baby but not having to put them in childcare? Assuming working evenings etc?

Not the same but I work in childcare and we guarantee free places for all the women who work for us, just not in the same rooms.

To those saying they worked nights and their DH worked days, when did you sleep?

I freelance, working remotely on projects that need extra resources. I have a 2 year old. I basically work when they sleep, so 6-8am, 2-4pm, 9-11pm (working 28 hours a week-ish). I also join calls during their waking hours, and use television to entertain them when needed e.g I if I have an hour long conference call (normally 3-4 times a week). If naps don't go to plan, i catch up at the weekend. It's full on but actually works very well for me. Had to get a cleaner as there isn't much time during the week to tidy. But it's the best feeling getting proper quality time with my toddler each morning. If you can find something flexible enough, I'd encourage you to try it.

Also re shift work, my mum did night shifts when we were growing up. Apparently we were put in a holding pen with toys and the TV on for a few hrs while she slept on the sofa. Gotta love that 80s parenting. Clearly I took a leaf out of her book

I have literally just got a few evenings a week working from home! I’ve been looking for ages and I can’t tell you how excited I am. I didn’t want to use nursery but was so worried about getting back into the workhouse. Those jobs are there you just need to keep looking xxx

A good nursery or childminder are worth their weight in gold and taught us everything we know about parenting really. But do what works for you. You could both work half the week.

It is doable if you work evenings or weekends. I have a couple of friends who work night shifts to avoid childcare costs but that's when the children are older. I can't see how it could work with an child under school age.

It is exhausting though and you'll get limited family time.

I put DD into nursery at 10 months, she’s thrived considering she was a lockdown baby; I went back full time initially but I have just dropped a Monday now she’s a little older i feel like I need to spend more than just the weekends with her. So I work 28 hours a week now and she goes to nursery 3 days a week and to my mums on a Wednesday. It works really well for us:

Thanks everyone for your replies and ideas, I really do appreciate it! Still unsure as to what to do but I think I will look at some nurseries/nannies etc and at least I can make a decision then.

Don't get sucked into doing MLM

What's MLM?

@ProjectBaby87

What's MLM?

What was a pyramid scheme. Stuff like Forever living, Body shop at home, Younique, Scentsy etc.

I have a 2.9 year old and 8 month old, they don't go to nursery. I work 3 evenings in a supermarket, my mum has kids 2-6 in an afternoon twice a week to cover until DH gets home and my other shift is a weekend

Had a friend whose partner was a baker at a posh bespoke bakery, he was at work in the night then looked after the baby while his wife worked in the daytime. Always seemed like a really raw deal for him, but they couldnt afford to do it any other way.

What was a pyramid scheme. Stuff like Forever living, Body shop at home, Younique, Scentsy etc.
Bookmark yeah so stuff where you have to sell to friends etc and run your own business. They like to lure people on with the promise of flexible working and great incomes.

Opposite shifts. When we had our first 20 years ago, my dh worked from 6am - 2pm, and I worked 44pm to 11pm

We managed to juggle our working patterns so DS is only in childcare 2 days a week. DP is a shift worker and I'm 9-5. I reduced my hours so I could do 1 day, DP does 1 day and grandparents do 1 day. He goes to nursery the other 2 days. He started nursery at 1. It has been so good for him. His speech has come on loads, he mixes well with other children and most importantly, he loves it. He asks me every day if today is "nursery day".

I'd be wary of moving to shift work if you don't have to. We don't have much time as a family as DP works most weekends.