| Children at home are the biggest obstacles for | | | | version of co-op. this will involve you and a good |
| work at home mothers. Screaming toddlers are | | | | friend trading off childcare days. Make sure you |
| not going to be quiet when you have business | | | | set clear boundaries about when you will take the |
| calls. They probably won't take that "daily" nap so | | | | other child and when they will take yours. You |
| that you can get some of your work done. | | | | don't want to be taken advantage of. You will also |
| Undoubtedly, this will also be the same child who | | | | want to make sure the kids like each other and |
| will eat all of your post-its and stick food into your | | | | get along well. If they don't then this will end up |
| hard drive. These series of "childish" events can | | | | being a bad experience. * Sitter Sharing: Share a |
| be very frustrating for the work at home mom. | | | | sitter with a friend. You can have the sitter watch |
| After a period of this type of frustrating activity | | | | both kids at the same time and split the cost or |
| many moms just give up their hopes and dreams | | | | use the sitter on alternate days. Make sure that |
| of a home based business. But before you give | | | | you have a written agreement on how the sitter |
| up and throw the baby out with all of your | | | | is used and what you will be paying to avoid any |
| dreams remember that because you can set | | | | unseen complications. * Barter: Trade your |
| your own schedule you do have a certain amount | | | | products and services with a neighbor or friend in |
| of flexibility and control over your childcare | | | | exchange for childcare. This will keep you from |
| situation. Creativity and thinking outside of the box | | | | spending money and still pay the person doing the |
| can help you handle your childcare needs and allow | | | | care for you. |
| you to build and run that fabulous home based | | | | To come up with inexpensive childcare solutions |
| business of your dreams. Create some flexibility | | | | you must be a networking prowess. Spread the |
| and begin to think outside of the box with your | | | | word that you are looking for childcare to |
| childcare options. Here are some alternatives for | | | | everyone you know. Think in terms of trading |
| you: | | | | and business opportunities. You are looking for a |
| * Childcare Co-op: Find a group of work at home | | | | partner in a business deal. This will help you to get |
| parents and swap off childcare duties. You can | | | | what you need. Some moms are lucky to have |
| keep track of how many hours you watch each | | | | businesses that are kid friendly. They are the |
| child and use the time you accrue when you need | | | | lucky ones for sure. Those ladies who have to |
| it most. The great thing about this is it is free. | | | | make endless phone calls or have meetings may |
| The downside is that you will have to give up | | | | find that childcare of some sort is unavoidable. |
| work time to handle other people's children. | | | | Try your best to get the right childcare for you |
| * Trading or Mom-swapping: This is the smaller | | | | and not spend an arm and a leg getting it. |