| Parenting can be challenging enough but when you're a | | | | are reliant on one caregiver and the checks and |
| single parent the challenges are quickly compounded. | | | | balances are minimal. This situation requires putting a |
| When you don't have anyone to hand off to - to share | | | | vast amount of trust into one person. It can also be |
| responsibilities and workload - you can be easily | | | | extremely expensive. But if you are able to find the |
| overwhelmed. Single parenting comes with an extra | | | | right person - and can manage the financial end of it - |
| set of challenges. And none can be more confusing | | | | it can be priceless. |
| then choosing appropriate and reliable child care. | | | | Daycare centers also offer a haven for those who |
| Working long hours to support a family is hard enough. | | | | are single parenting. Because you are reliant on a |
| But when you add child care to the mix it becomes | | | | group of caregivers, rather than just one person, you |
| even more difficult. Single parenting absolutely requires | | | | have an even greater level of support. If one caregiver |
| finding supportive, flexible child care that provides your | | | | is sick there are others who are there to watch the |
| children with a loving, nurturing environment. | | | | children. This situation also offers children a chance to |
| Luckily for those who are single parenting, there is an | | | | socialize; it can be like a second family. |
| enormous availability of child care options today; | | | | However, the downfalls of a daycare situation are high |
| everything from one-on-one care to child care centers | | | | turnover among the staff and an increased probability |
| and every conceivable choice in between. | | | | of sickness among the children. |
| Many who are single parenting prefer child care that is | | | | Small, in-home child care providers offer a situation that |
| provided in the home by a nanny or au pair. This can | | | | falls somewhere between care by a nanny and |
| be logistically beneficial as you do not have to drop off | | | | daycare center programs. Many times these in-home |
| and pick up your children and their daily routine is able | | | | care situations are provided by stay-at-home-moms |
| to be kept relatively consistent. Single parenting means | | | | who offer to watch other children to earn extra |
| that there are often enormous changes in schedules; | | | | money. This can be a really great situation for those |
| with in-home care, you don't have to worry about | | | | who are single parenting. This is often much more |
| making it to a daycare center by a specific time. | | | | affordable than care provided by a nanny but offers a |
| Additionally, children of those who are single parenting | | | | smaller, more intimate setting than a daycare center. |
| are offered a higher level of stability with this | | | | Single parenting is a tough job. But it certainly can be |
| arrangement. | | | | made easier by ensuring that your children are safe |
| The pitfalls of in-home care, of course, are that you | | | | and loved with high-quality daycare. |