How to Find Childcare for Multiples without Breaking the Bank

by Erin Sweeten

My husband and I dated for a few years and were married twelve years before we had our first kid. That means we had almost 1.5 decades together without needing a single babysitter. We’d just say, “Hey, I’m going for a run—wanna come?” or, “Ooh, there’s a meteor shower tonight. Let’s drive out of the city and go watch it.” Or, “I feel like going to a taco stand.” Then we would just do it. If I needed an ingredient for a meal, I’d run out to the store and get it. Then we had the kids. That’s when we learned that there was no longer such a thing as a Free Date. That’s when I learned that herding three kids under age five into the supermarket at the same time is a harrowing obstacle course that takes up to three times longer than it used to.  That’s when I learned there are no sick days in parenting.  Having kids in a state far from family can cost big $$ in childcare. It came as a shock, let me tell you. Like firecrackers-going-off-suddenly-in-the-street level shock. But I have found some ways to reduce the financial burden of paying someone else to pay attention to my kids awhile so I can pay attention to my husband or, if the stars align, actually get some things done. Did you know that some supermarkets will watch your kids for you for free? Check out these cost-saving options.

• Babysitting Co-ops: a group of moms each agree to be the designated babysitter a certain night of the week. For example, if three moms each agree to babysit one Friday night per month, each mom has an opportunity to get out of the house twice a month.  Make sure you choose moms whom you trust and whose parenting style jives with yours.
• Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs): Your employer may offer this benefit, in which you can put aside part of your income to pay for qualifying childcare before taxes. We use ours for preschool tuition, too. Calculate your tax savings.
• Quality First child care scholarships: Ask your daycare provider if they participate in this program and fill out an application. Low-income families can receive full or partial scholarships for up to two children.
• Mother’s Helper: Consider hiring a young teenage girl who wants to hone her babysitting skills while you are still at home. Pay her minimum wage while you take a shower or a nap and she plays with the babies and folds laundry. If you don’t know any girls who fit the bill, try posting on nextdoor.com, the neighborhood sharing site. It’s great if she can just walk to your house. Do interviews and call references just like you would with a regular babysitter. Mother’s helpers are also excellent for trips to the park or library story time when two sets of hands are helpful.
• Kids Night Out/Parents Night Out: Many religious and nonprofit organizations offer very low cost babysitting at regular intervals—we’re talking $5 per kid and they get pizza and games while they’re there. These nights out work great for older kids that will not be thrown by staying up late away from home in a large group of kids. If you don’t have access to this type of activity, ask around among your friends. MOPs groups sometimes offer similar daytime services to members. These moms groups usually meet in churches and offer play groups and parenting support to parents with kids of all ages.
• In-Store/On-Site Child Care: Some stores offer free childcare while you shop for kids over age two. You sign them up, drop them off, and are issued a pager or arm band.  Ikea has a great kids’ space. Some Basha’s locations offer the Cub House, while some Fry’s Foods have Kids Korner. I know a couple that drops off their kid at Kid Korner and walks over to the Starbucks elsewhere in the store for a little date. Fry’s does not list their Kid’s Korner locations on their website, but I called a few on the linked list and verified they were still operating. One review I read stated that the kids area is up on the TV feed so you can see what they are doing while you shop.  Some Harkins movie theaters have play centers that will watch your children for $6 per kid aged 3-8 while you are in the movie.
• Parks and Recreation School Break Camps: Valley cities also offer affordable childcare in the summers and on school breaks. Check your city’s parks and recreation page for more information.

 
Inexpensive kid-free time is possible, even if your mom lives five states away.  So push that non-car-shaped shopping cart around the store with a mind at ease.