Hi everyone! Nice to "meet" you all! I am a new Mom to a 6-week old daughter. I work in a remote capacity for a small financial planning firm with 2 offices (both in different states). I work "normal" business hours - but my firm expects me to have a firm child care plan in place. Because I work from home, I am considering hiring someone to assist me in a "support" capacity. I was thinking of someone who would come into my home and "run interference" if you will. . . . .someone who is welcome to multi-task when she is sleeping (i.e. - if it's a college student, they're more than welcome to do homework, etc.). I don't expect them to do any cooking or cleaning - I just need to be sure that if a client calls, I am able to handle the call in a professional manner without having my screaming daughter in my lap - and to be able to get in the better portion of a workday. I have a hard time stomaching taking her to day care when I work from the home - at least when she's this young. Anyhow, has anyone had a situation similar to mine (or known someone who did) and if so - do you have any feedback? Thank you!! Jenn

I work from home and I went "back to work" when my daughter was 6 months old. I occasionally go in for meetings, but I mostly work from home. I agree with your employer. You need a firm child care plan in place. For the same reasons as you, I chose to hire a nanny to come to my home the days I worked. The nanny is 100% responsible for my daughter when she is here--the benefit to me is that I am here if something happens (good or bad) and I get to pop in and say hi to my daughter off and on during the day. In my experience, it's impossible to get ANY work done (other than sending a 2 sentence email or something like that) if your child is awake.

Hi there - I did this with my first son and my nanny was my mother who was 78 at the time. If I could do this over, I would say for babies, you want to pay more because you want "more" care. You want them attentive and patient and loving and interactive with your baby. I always think about how much I would think is fair to watch someone else's child. Now, I will tell you that if you were getting subsidized care (like child care vouchers from the state) they pay $30 per day per child, but that is for a strict amount of hours per day, but food is included. So, if they are in your home, I would say that up to 1 year olds for 9 -10 hours a day (cause that's what you really need), $40-50/day is fair. If you are providing a vehicle for them or any other amenities beyond the food, TV/cable, then I would negotiate a rate with that in mind. Also, if you need the longer hours or require bilingual, that you negotiate that part in dollars and cents too. I just think that overall, you know how you would want to take care of your child and that if your budget allows for it that $ is not the primary discussion, but that you get what you need for your child and for you to stay sane and keep your INCOME BEARING job! Personally, I could not have not done it without Mommie, but I would have added a nanny/housekeeper to assist her - which is where I am looking to go in the future. Praying for you!!!!

Same with me! Following this post if anyone has answers!

I'm in the same exact position! I have a very busy 4 year old and work in content marketing which involves unpredictable hours and *surprise* projects with very short deadlines. I feel guilty for not entertaining my daughter and then my work suffers as result. I'm wondering if it would be better to have someone take her out and about for a few hours a day rather than provide in-home care?

I work from home and I take my son to in-home childcare (A grandma who watches my son and her grandson) in her home. You need full time childcare if you are working honestly I don't really know how people "work" while taking care of a child. For me it has worked well having my son not home while I"m working - I can focus and be productive so to get work done and spend time with him after work! And for him, when he has been here with my inlaws while I'm working, I have to hide in my office or he gets upset if he hears me. Good luck but just my thought!