EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

• There is no right or wrong kind of child care, only the kind that works best for you and your family
• Specific advice for choosing what child care option is best for you and what to look for in caregivers
• How to vet childcare providers once you’ve decided on your top picks
• Retaining and working with childcare providers.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

 READ A PORTION OF THE BOOK EXCERPT BELOW

Choosing a childcare option can be an overwhelming process. You want to find the perfect option for your child and your family. I understand. I did too. The people who will care for your child will strongly influence the way your kids grow up and see the world around them. And for that reason, choosing a child care option is one of the most important decisions you will make for your family. 

The Most Important Caregiver Consideration: 

All child care choices are extremely personal. What might work for one family may not work for another. The best option may even vary from child to child within a family. From my experiences with families, my top picks are nannies, family members, and in-home child care settings for kids younger than 3 years. Once kids reach preschool age, the need for structure and social skill development outweighs the home care aspect. At that point, a mix of preschool and sitter/ nanny is my top choice. Of course, budget often comes into play, and traditional child care settings with quality, reliable caregivers are a great option too. 

I care most about quality care settings–options that pro- vide a safe space where kids can build deep, one-on-one connections with their caregivers and peers and that is a place where kids do not get sick frequently (very important for all working parents). The program or person also needs to provide the level of flexibility you need. Finally, you want the adults caring for your child to have the same parenting goals and values you do, backed by a working knowledge of the core principles of successful caregiving. This could be in the care of a child care center, an in-home child care setting, a nanny, a nanny share, a friend, or a relative. The setting is less important than the atmosphere, structure, and people there. 

Focus on finding experienced, quality providers. Like most things in life, what really matters when it comes to child care is that you feel comfortable and confident with your choice. The exact location or setup — child care center, nanny share, in-home child care, nanny care, or family care — matters less. Just make sure you find quality caregivers who share your goals and values, and consider each member of your caregiving team just that — an important part of your child’s village, but not more important than what happens when your child is at home with you. Family environment trumps all. Finding care can be stressful, but it’s also very exciting. You’re build- ing your village; you’re hiring the person who will be there for your kids alongside you, nurturing, guiding, and caring for the person or people you love best. You’ll find amazing people waiting in the wings to work with you. 

This episode was read by Dr. Whitney from her book "The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting Without Losing Yourself."

GET YOUR COPY

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, MAMA?

Join the Modern Mamas Club

The Modern Mamas Club is a safe supportive space for like minded Modern Mamas who dream of having it all, to actually succeed in that dream and lift up other Mamas to succeed along the way. It is possible to thrive, not just survive in your work life, parent life and YOU life.

✓ A Community of Mamas to Support You

✓ 24/7 Access to Dr. Whitney's Video Library

✓ Live Events, Workshops, and Hangouts

✓ Relatable Mom Rooms and Discussions

✓ Resource Library and Dr. Recommendations

✓ Fun Weekly Mini Mom-Note Emails

✓ Weekly Challenges and Prompts

✓ Journaling Downloads and More!