What Are Your Childcare Options When You Return To Work

Modern moms realize that the traditional life of staying at home either isn’t for them or it isn’t possible. They need to work to earn money for their family. As such, a lot of women will seek to return to work fairly soon after giving birth. You may still have a few months of maternity leave, but eventually you want to get back to your old working routine. 

But, there’s a pretty obvious problem; who will look after your child/children? If you’re at work, who is there to tend to their needs until you return? Or, if you decide to return to work when your child is a bit older, who will look after them when they get back from school? 

Typically, these are the best childcare options to consider: 

Daycare

This is a good idea for younger children that need care during the day. First things first, only send your child to a licensed daycare provider as this proves they are equipped to look after children. The advantage of this option is that your child has a place to stay and be looked after all throughout the day. 

The disadvantage is that daycare can be expensive. Plus, there’s no guarantee that your child will enjoy their time there. 

A Nanny

Hiring a Nanny can be smart if you’d rather keep your child at home. Being in a daycare environment can be scary for a small child - and you don’t know how nice the other kids will be. A Nanny can come to your home and stay there with your child for as long as required. This is great if you work - or if you need someone to look after them for a few hours after school.

Again, the downside is the cost of the Nanny. You also need to do a lot of research to ensure that you’re hiring someone you can trust. Some people also feel a bit weird about letting someone have free reign in their home while they’re at work. 

Relatives

From a financial perspective, this is one of your best options. You can go to work and leave your kids with a relative for the day. Your parents are usually the most likely candidates, but don’t be afraid to ask other family members if they can help. 

Of course, the downside of this option is that it depends on a couple of factors. Firstly, you need local relatives nearby. Secondly, they need to not be busy and have the capacity to look after your children for many hours on end. 

There is one other option that you may want to think about. If possible, consider the idea of working from home. If your job allows this, you can juggle parenting and working in the same location. Your child is close by, but you can still do some work. However, this probably works best if your child is still very young. 

Regardless, think about all of these childcare options when you return to work, ensuring both you and your child are satisfied