Occassional Business Trips

Updated on March 22, 2007
J.B. asks from Arlington Heights, IL
6 answers

I'll try to make my story as brief as possible... :)
I'm divorced and have 2 really wonderful boys. I have a really great job and have recently been given a new opportunity at the company. Unfortunately, this new position sometimes requires me to travel for a couple days at a time. I have no family in the Chicago area, most of my family is a minimum of 5 hrs away, so they really can't help me when it comes time to travel. One would think that their dad would take care of them in my absence and he has on a couple of occassions. My most recent trip was for 4 days and he was suppose to take the kids, but got mad about something and said he wouldn't watch the kids. He does this thinking it will hurt me, which it would have if my sister hadn't been on spring break and able to drive up to stay with my kids, but most importantly it hurts my kids (especially my oldest) because they knew they were suppose to be staying with their dad.

To try and help my kids from feeling that hurt, I am looking for any ideas and\or suggestions as where to find someone that would be willing to stay with my kids for a few days while I had to go on my business trips. I figure if I can just find someone to help me out and never have to ask him for his assistence, then I won't be setting my kids up for the disappointment, and I won't be running around frantically trying to figure out how to keep my commitements at work. Most people that I know have kids of their own and don't really want 2 more kids added to their already hectic schedule. I was thinking a college student wouldn't mind making a few extra bucks, but unfortunately, I don't really know anyone outside of the people that I work with.

My oldest is in Kindergarten and my youngest in day care, the kindergarten is private kindergarten so they happen to go to the same school. I am looking for someone who would be able to drop them off in the mornings and pick them up at night. Pretty much keeping the same schedule that I have them on. Typically my trips are only 2 nights, mostly during the week, but i've had a couple where they were on the weekend.

So any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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B.

answers from Chicago on

J.,
Where do you live? Do the kids have school or a schedule they keep during the day or are they both at home? Do you need just overnights or do you need the boys driven somewhere and picked up also? It would really help to know more about what your needs are? I know there are college students and private teachers that do these types of jobs. I did during my first teaching jobs, but only for the wealthy families that sent their children to my school.

Please let us moms know a little more of the details so we can help. Thanks

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J.R.

answers from Chicago on

You can have it all but not at the same time. Your boys deserve this time with you. Give them the best- -YOU.
You need to quit the travel. If you think the dad can't be reliable- what are you? They need you now more than ever. I grew up like your sons- I love my mom but I was very sad when she was away. She was very sucessful but didn't spend time with me until I was married and she was retired. That's a long time to wait. Your boys will never be this little again or for long.
Wait for them to be a little bigger. They have lost so much already (dad sounds immature) . YOu can do it.

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S.J.

answers from Chicago on

Pebbles & Bam Bam 24 Hour Home Childcare
1755 N Nagle Ave FL 2
Chicago IL 60707
1-877-MY-BRATS
GO TO WWW.MAPQUEST.COM TO FIND OUT DIRECTONS.
I ALSO KEEP CHILDREN WHILE PARENTS VACATION

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B.W.

answers from Chicago on

I was a nanny before I became a mom, and it sounds like a nanny is exactly what you need. There are tons of websites you can use to find a nanny, but when you use them you have to run your own background check (and DMV check). Or you can go through a nanny agency. I can recommend quite a few in the Chicago area if you are interested, as well as nanny finding websites.

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C.

answers from Chicago on

How frustrating, I'm sure! How frustrating especially that he doesn't understand how hard that is for the kids!! I have a couple of ideas for you depending on whereabout you live. Wheaton College has a place for posting "job opportunities" like this from what I understand. And I think they have a list of college students who want babysitting jobs. That's what I heard years ago anyway. May be worth your while checking into something like that by calling there or a college in your area. Also, I have some contacts maybe depending on where you live, so let me know whereabout that you are and I can see.

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C.G.

answers from Chicago on

We have an au pair who lives with us and provides child care. It is much cheaper than day care and she provides great care. An au pair could not watch your kids overnight but if it's possible to take your kids and au pair with you on your trips you could spend time with the kids and have a sitter while you were working. www.culturalcare.com is the agency we used.

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