HELP ME PLEASE!! Or I could lose my job and have to go back on welfare! Child care problem...?

Question

I have a great job as an elementary school teacher.I am also a divorced mother of 2 school-aged boys.Their father is a penniless "artist" who pays very little child support.He is often either not available during the day or cannot access a car.I have no family nearby, and just moved to my area, so I know few people.
Even if I only had myself to care for, I still am sick often enough (I have IBS, asthma, and bad ovarian cysts which need surgery soon) that I use up most or all of my sick days every year. In addition to my own illnesses, I have to stay home when my kids are sick. My youngest is susceptible to any virus around, plus he has bad asthma. I've used up all my sick days for the year, and the next time I miss I will get docked. But what's worse than losing the pay (as a teacher, I barely make ends meet) is that this position ends at the end of this year. I need a good reference to get a job next fall!
How can I find someone to care for my kids when they're sick?

The school nurse called me just today to tell me I had to pick up my sick child. Since he did not have a fever, she couldn't force me to, but I felt bad for him Because I knew he felt awful. I called the few neighbors I knew, plus my ex and a lady who watches them in the mornings, and I got no answer. Plus, they couldn't get a sub to cover my classes at the school, so if I'd left, other teachers would have had to teach my classes during their planning periods, which makes them all mad at me and makes the principal upset, too, although she's nice and tries to be helpful (she has 2 kids of her own). I need a permanent solution!

I make way too much to qualify for child care subsidies. That's not the problem. It's just that any child care center will not take sick kids, and neither will most moms who watch kids in their homes. Plus, I don't need it regularly, just for when they're really sick.

Answer 1

that is tough, because no child care home or center is going to take them sick. I would suggest that you place a simple ad in your local newspaper for a PT Nanny that can come into your home when you need them. Possibly even use them in the morning before school, and when school is out but you have to attend. Sometimes you can get a retired person that is looking for just alittle extra to make ends meet. Just have to search for them.

Answer 2

This is exactly why many communities are developing what are called "sick child daycares" or "mildly ill centers" which are drop in centers for mildly ill children so parents who can't afford to miss work don't have to. Unfortunately there aren't many across the country and in some places laws restrict them. The only thing I can suggest to you is to network. Talk to people you are comfortable with who wouldn't mind babysitting in those situations like friends, family, and even known babysitters. Believe it or not there are babysitters who don't mind sitting for a sick child.
Also you should probably get a note from your child's doctor stating that he has a medical problem. Your employer's are required by law to allow you to care for a sick child without repercussion (Family medical leave act). So the issue is not getting fired because with proper documentation from a doctor it is illegal for them to fire you. The issue is losing pay because although they must give you time off they don't have to pay you. I think your best bet is to find a personal sitter that you can use when needed. It would probably be cheaper to pay a sitter than miss a whole day's pay.

Answer 3

I think it's time to have a talk with the penniless artist,he needs to step up and watch the kids if issues like this arise.Tell him the situation ,surely he does not want you or his kids on welfare.If he does not have a full time job he should be the one
looking after the children when they are sick so you can work and give your kids a decent life!

Answer 4

Have you thought about hiring a part-time Nanny? You could find a college student who is majoring in Early childhood development, hire them to care for your children when you can't. They get credit for school and you get a babysitter! If you hire a student who attends school part-time then you wont have to put out so much money because any college kid would love to have 50 bucks a week in their pocket! Call around and see what you can find! God Bless.

Answer 5

Ive been having trouble getting reliable care for my kids also. Have you tried asking at the Welfare office? since you dont make that much maybe they can help you with daycare. The Job and family services here in Ohio offer a daycare program for low income familys. Its either paid in full or you only have to pay some of it per month. Place an ad in the paper, you would be very surprized at how many people will babysit for you...but make sure to get alot of references on them. Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 6

DEAR

EVERY ONE ON HERE KNOWS ME BY NOW IF I HAVE SOME THING TO SAY I AM GOING TO SAY IT ARE BITE MY TONGUE ALMOST OFF BUT I DO NOT USE BAD WORDS ETHER OK

AS FOR YOUR BUM OF A HUSBAND HE NEEDS TO GET OFF HIS BUT AND GO TO WORK SOME WHERE MAKE AT LEAST ($ 16.50) A HOUR AND DO NOT TELL ME

THERE ARE NO JOBS OUT THERE WITH THAT TYPE OF PAY THERE ARE DIGGING DUTCHES ARE SHIP YARD WORK PLANET JOBS IF HE CAN READ WRITE AND

KNOW IS OWN NAME AND ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER HOW OLD HE IS AND CAN DRIVE RIDE A MOTORCYCLE DRIVE A RIDING LAWN MOWER THEN HE CAN WORK IN CONTRITION WORK BUILDING ROAD ON THE

HIGHWAY SWEEP FLOORS AT THE HOSPITALS PUT OUT THE TRASH ETC.
YOU DID NOT MAKE THE KIDS BY YOURSELF IS WHAT MY MOTHER TELLS MY DAD ALL THE TIME I DID NOT

MAKE THIS CHILD BY MYSELF AND HE DID NOT FALL OUT OF A TREE LIKE APPLE SHE SAYS A MARRIAGE IT TAKES TO
TO MAKE IT AND TO

TO BREAK IT THEY HAVE BEEN MARRIED 43 YEARS
SO THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE IF THEY CAN MAKE THIS LONG EVERY ONE ON HERE CAN TOO

TAKE CARE

Answer 7

Obviously if you are missing this much work you should not be working in an environment where stability and predictability is needed! Speaking from a parents point of view on teachers, it REALLY annoys me that teachers think they can take so many days off. My oldest was in kindergarten last year and I swear her teacher took a total of half the school year off when all was said and done! It's ridiculous for you to think that the school should provide you with more time off, they hired you to do a job, not to call in sick constantly. I'm sorry about your health and the health of your children, but you owe it to your employers and the children who's educations are in your hands to actually show up or you need to resign and not take another position like this until such time as you can actually show up for work.

Oh and by the way, the lowest starting wage in this country for a teacher is $30,000 a year! I'm sorry, but I fail to see how, if you are budgeting your money, that amount "Barely makes the ends meet."

Answer 8

check with your local hospital, some have facilities for just your problem. You will have to pay for it.

Answer 9

child wellfare