Posted by Amy_CO on 8/19/05 11:19am
Msg #60236

Childcare

Okay, I have been a good little newbie and have already searched topics such as "childcare," "daycare," and "children" on previous posts BEFORE I decided to dip my toe back in this pond and ask a question. Here it goes....

The main reason I want to become a signing agent is to control my own schedule (to a degree) because I have a three year old and a 6 month old. My question is to all the mothers out there doing this kind of work...how do you handle childcare with the unpredictability of this career? Can you afford full time care? I would like to keep my kids in care three days a week and work those three days plus some weekends. Is this realistic?

Okay...that's it, will I get to keep my toe or is it about to get bitten off?

Reply by ChristiSocal on 8/19/05 11:43am
Msg #60258

I don't bite!

My "baby" is 16 and can pick me up! So I don't have to worry about that, but I can tell you, most signings end up being in the evenings and weekends. alot are last minute (ie: one day or less notice) So you will have to figure out if that will work for you. On the up side you don't have to take an assignment if you can't, but you need to know before they call you, cause they'll want an answer right then. Hope that helps

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/19/05 11:48am
Msg #60261

Re: I don't bite!

It does, thanks.

Right now I am still working my day job and hoping to get some after 5:00pm assignments. I have arranged for my mom to pick up the kids when and if I do get assignments. My husband's work is far and so we have alot of family to help usout . His mom could take the kids for any last minute jobs.

Reply by ChristiSocal on 8/19/05 11:54am
Msg #60266

Re: I don't bite!

I should have mentioned that for the last minute ones you have to have a laser printer for e docs. If you don't have one yet theres alot of info about them here just search "printers , laser" You will need one that has pcl6, most seem to like either hp or brother. (grandmas are great!)

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/19/05 11:58am
Msg #60274

Re: I don't bite!

I have an hp laser printer at work and at home so e-docs shouldn't be a problem. I have three calls already bit they were all for signings before five (I learned quick to out "available after 5:00pm" on my applications with SA and my profile here.

It is funny, I read all the posts about newbies getting duped into this profession for the $$. Myself, If I can make what I make a month as a paralegal (which is not much) but have a more flexible schedule, I'll be happy.

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/19/05 11:59am
Msg #60276

Sorry for all the spelling errors, typing too fast!

Reply by Merry_CA on 8/19/05 11:56am
Msg #60269

Re: I don't bite!

Hi Amy... Sounds like you are doing it the right way! If you have a day job because you need the income then don't quit it... just work NSA jobs in as you can. If you don't need the income then quit the day job and stay home to raise your children (Dr. Merry speaking here!) and build a NSA business. You are very lucky (and so are your children) to have grandparents close by to be with them when you go out on an assignment.

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/19/05 12:05pm
Msg #60281

Re: I don't bite!

I need to work or we would be living under a bridge. I told my husband, I don't mind working I just want flexibility. When I was on maternity leave with my last child, I tried to research stay at home jobs but the medical transcription work and legal data entry work seem to be for those who just want some extra income. This profession seems to be the closest I can get a real flexible job. I realize it is hard work (for those who are about to school me on that issue). I work hard and I am prepared to work hard and learn from people here and etc, etc.

Reply by Jenny/CA on 8/19/05 12:17pm
Msg #60292

Re: I don't bite!

Every morning before my husband takes off to work I ask him ahead of time if he will be available to pick up our girls if need him to. If He can't , I take signings during school time only (8-2pm).

Reply by Mindy_WA on 8/19/05 12:03pm
Msg #60279

Amy,
My husband and I went full time this year with this business. We have 3 children ages 3,5,&7. So far this summer, we have been able to find high school girls to cover when we need to be working. I have a list of 6 girls that I can call at a moments notice. We have never had to turn away work for no childcare. That being said...kids are going back to school soon. Our 5 year old will be in half time kindergarten, and the 7 year old in full time school. We will be needing childcare also.

You have a problem of a different kind...you have a 6 month old. It is very difficult to even FIND childcare for an infant, let alone Part time or Drop in. I would look for some other stay at home moms that you can put on a list and pay a bit less than the "going daycare rate", but still make it worth their while. Prior to doing this, I had my best friends children for the summer and she paid me as she would daycare. It's win, win for all. The kids get the "in home" feel, you get to stay home when you can, it doesn't cost as much, and you have the flexibility of the "drop in" type childcare. Plus, you will get a network of friends that are AWESOME for those days when you just need the "adult" conversation. PLUS, it helps these mothers out as well.

I know that when I had the 2 other children (5 including mine), my children were entertained all summer long. They loved every minute of it, and they were out of my hair. I had fun taking them to the park, free movies, pools, and such.

This is a difficult career to accomodate children/childcare. I think that it would be much easier to either NOT work, or to work full time. That being said, I wouldn't trade the flexibility for anything and my children would hate it if we "worked" like all the other parents do.

I hope that all works out for you.

Reply by Amy Reese on 8/19/05 12:09pm
Msg #60284

Thank you so much. That was just the kind of info I was looking for

Reply by Cherilyn in CO on 8/19/05 1:03pm
Msg #60331

Amy, what part of CO are you in?

I have 3 kids, 5, 7 and 15. Needless to say my 15 yo is paid very well. Last night I had a signing and my husband had something going-so my daughter babysat until 10pm.

I'd say about 75% of my signings are at night. Fortunately they average about an hour or two in length, so I've also done some trading with friends and most of them owe me. I always have some back ups.

It would be great if I could just do signings a couple of days a week, but normally it doesn't work out that way-Yesterday I had three, two on Wednesday, but 0 for Tuesday and 0 for today (so far). It's hard to have any kind of set schedule when they come last minute.

Neighborhood girls are a great resource!

Reply by Amy_CO on 8/19/05 1:20pm
Msg #60353

Re: Amy, what part of CO are you in?

I'm in Lakewood right now. We are about to move (in fact we are expecting an offer this afternoon on our house). We want to move to Golden to be closer to my husband's work (he is in Boulder).