Help with figuring out what to charge.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Hmm ~ I am no help cause I would not be willing to do this ~ my family time, weekends and holidays are too important to me and well a child being away from their parents that long goes against every family value I hold dear ~ no amount of $$$ would make it worth it for me!

However my values aside I agree that anyone doing this should consider a serious 'shift premium' just like those workers in hospitals and factories get compensated with for working these kind of schedules

Prudent to be charging 'overtime' for going over 9 hours a day, an evening shift premium for working 'over night cause just cause the kid is sleeping you are required to sleep with one eye and ear open and I would definitely be doing double time for working any 'statutory holiday' and so forth as well as compensation for the lost income of holding a full time space open for someone who is only going to use 8 days a month!

[Countrymomma]

I certainly appreciate all your input. I do understand how many would not feel comfortable offering this type of care, but rest assured, my family and I have looked at it from every angle, from holidays, sleeping arrangements, calling the parents when the child is ill, etc, and agree it is something we can do.

Reggio, interesting you mention family values. In their email to me, initially, they explained they are both firefighters on the same shift. They work the same shift so that they can have days off together, as a family. They are doing things this way to spend as much time together as their career will allow. Sometimes their rotation allows as much as 7 days off in a row, together. They are working one of the most dangerous jobs out there and making sacrifices for me and the members in my community. I respect that more than I can convey. If they are not able to find 24 hr care, then they would have to work opposite shifts and rarely see each other, as a family. That hurts every family value I hold dear.

In a perfect world children could spend every moment with their parents, but, alas, that is not the world we live in. there are shift workers who have children and no family close by or available. They deserve quality care for their children. Many of these people are our health care providers, emergency service providers, police officers. Often times they are married to each other and that presents a work/family life balance issue regarding schedules and child care.

It reminded me of being a little girl, with a single mom who was a nurse. We were living in a new town and my mom had to work night shifts and rely on the kindness of strangers for my care. She had no choice. If I can pay it forward a offer a safe, secure environment for this couples child while they work, then I am up for the challenge.

This opportunity to support and offer care to this family, striving to maintain as many days together as a family as possible, while they work protecting my community, resonated with me, and my family values, greatly <3

Thanks again, everyone!

[country girl]

I certainly appreciate all your input. I do understand how many would not feel comfortable offering this type of care, but rest assured, my family and I have looked at it from every angle, from holidays, sleeping arrangements, calling the parents when the child is ill, etc, and agree it is something we can do.

Reggio, interesting you mention family values. In their email to me, initially, they explained they are both firefighters on the same shift. They work the same shift so that they can have days off together, as a family. They are doing things this way to spend as much time together as their career will allow. Sometimes their rotation allows as much as 7 days off in a row, together. They are working one of the most dangerous jobs out there and making sacrifices for me and the members in my community. I respect that more than I can convey. If they are not able to find 24 hr care, then they would have to work opposite shifts and rarely see each other, as a family. That hurts every family value I hold dear.

In a perfect world children could spend every moment with their parents, but, alas, that is not the world we live in. there are shift workers who have children and no family close by or available. They deserve quality care for their children. Many of these people are our health care providers, emergency service providers, police officers. Often times they are married to each other and that presents a work/family life balance issue regarding schedules and child care.

It reminded me of being a little girl, with a single mom who was a nurse. We were living in a new town and my mom had to work night shifts and rely on the kindness of strangers for my care. She had no choice. If I can pay it forward a offer a safe, secure environment for this couples child while they work, then I am up for the challenge.

This opportunity to support and offer care to this family, striving to maintain as many days together as a family as possible, while they work protecting my community, resonated with me, and my family values, greatly <3

Thanks again, everyone!

Good for you Countrymomma! I'm sure this family appreciates your help immensely. My husband is a firefighter (volunteer) so we don't have the shift work problem but I can definately sympathize with this family having a hard time finding care and the importance of family time (many dinners/holidays have been interupted at my house by that pesky pager!) Kudos to you for stepping up and doing it.
Good luck!

[Cocoon]

Countrymomma, are you for real? Thank you for being so nice and taking care of this families precious. I'm actually touched by your post.

I think in your case what I would do is either charge them hourly or set an amount weekly whether they send their kid or not. Or charge set amount for weekdays and hourly rate for the weekends. But don't charge less then you feel comfortable as if you do in time you won't enjoy having their child in your home and you will feel that you are working hard but not getting enough pay in return. Especially, when the kid is difficult (teeting, not eating etc.).

[Dreamalittledream]

Re: Paying it forward.....that is simply wonderful of you. My 'warm fuzzy' for the day

[wingit]

Country Momma! I'm in the EXACT same position with you. The same schedule for a firefighter working 24 hour shifts. My husband works the same shift and I enjoy working 'shift work' myself but I'm not sure how to charge. When you decide what to do please let me know!!!