When you have children, child care becomes an important factor in your life. The trouble is, even the most reliable child care providers sometimes get sick, or you may find that a day care centre closes around a specific time of year. At times like those, you will need a backup child care plan.
Your first option is to stay home yourself. This is usually only an option when you have no other choice, or when your regular childcare plan falls through unexpectedly. Call into work and either take a sick, holiday or personal day. If you don’t have any time due, offer to work the time in over a few days or weeks or offer to work from home. With a phone and a computer, it’s now possible for anyone to work from just about anywhere. If you can’t come to an arrangement with your employer, then have your partner do it instead.
Another option is to ask a relative. Your mother, your partner’s mother, a sister or someone else might be available to help out in an emergency. Speak to people who live nearby to you and who don’t work outside the home, and come to an arrangement ahead of time. That way you won’t have to panic when you need to find someone fast.
Speak to other parents you know. Perhaps they know of someone who is reliable who can help out in an emergency, or maybe they have an au pair or nanny who can care for your child when your regular child care option falls through. Offer to reciprocate, and again, make the arrangement before the time.
