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Recently, I have had to really throw my hands up and admit that telecommuting with my 2 year old, full time, is just not going to cut it. When kids are infants, you at least get the relief of naptime, amen? Then they get bigger, and can literally tell you, “Mama, no more laptop, play with me!” And then you know! There is a tremendous amount of discipline and routine that MUST take place for this to even appear to work, and because I find that life is just full of curveballs lately, (husband’s layoff, illnesses, so on), staying on schedule is a lot easier said than done (some of the authors of the articles below seem to have had much better luck than me!)

However, I am not about to afford over $1,000 a month on preschool either! Yikes!

So that leaves a work-from-home parent of a toddler/preschooler with a few affordable options, and often a combination of them will even work out just right:

Childcare Option #1: Family member/friend. Maybe it makes sense for your partner to cut back to part-time, or for grandma to commit to two days a week. Maybe your gal pal is in college and would like to nanny for ya at a good rate when she’s not in classes. This is obviously a great option for the kiddo, as family and friends know and love your child, and you can have peace of mind about where they are and what they are doing while you pull in some solid hours. However, maybe you’re like me: I just moved across country from Florida to Oregon! I have no friends or family in the area! Well, have no fear, there’s a few more options…

Childcare Option #2: Childcare Swap! I am very fond of this idea, personally, and recently found what seems like a great fit. Another mom who has one day off per week is going to watch my son, in exchange for a day off on my part to watch her’s. The kids get a playmate two days per week, and you get a whole day to work sans toddler without the financial cost! Of course, you have to be in a position to enthusiastically take the day to watch the other child, which might mean pulling in longer hours 4 days a week. I think an even better option is if you can find one or two more children/families. If we were to add one more toddler to the mix, we’d take the same amount of time off but get two days off in the exchange! Often things like this are posted in newspapers, community or church forums and hyper-local parenting blogs, and Craigslist. Of course, have some qualifications in mind and visit with the families at their homes to try to avoid sticky situations later on down the road!

Childcare Option #3: Licensed and registered Home Daycare: My step-mother has run a home daycare for more than 25 years with great success. Her talent and heart for children really shines, and she can keep prices down to a comparative rate because she is allowed to watch up to 6 kids (age restrictions, number of families, so on apply). I really don’t have any problem with these set ups, so long as you’ve toured the home daycare and feel confident about the quality of care your child will receive from the owner. Remember that they have exams, classes, and home inspection drop-ins; they are professionals. Prices vary but are typically in line with that of an average daycare, about $4 an hour.

In all of these low-cost options, your child gets low adult:child ratio, time with some one besides you, and you get to work minus the interruptions without it hitting you hard at the bank.

And what about those days you still have to telecommute with toddler in tow? Don’t worry, I’m saving up a post just for you!

For more articles about telecommuting with kiddos, check out the following:

• Working at Home with Young Children
• How to Work at Home with Young Children
• WAHMS with Young Kids
• Work at Home Parent
• Childswap!
• Raising Kids While Running a Business
• 10 Tips for Working at Home with Children

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