Check all your options6 of 7Rix adds that to have au pair help, families must be willing to offer the worker a spare room in their home, meals and $500 toward the worker's educational expenses on top of the weekly salary. If a spare room isn't available, NACCRRA's Smith advises families to look at nanny and baby-sitter sharing options with neighbors and friends as well as low-cost child day care options available through community centers, faith-based organizations and the YMCA."Under the best of times child care is difficult. In a bad economy, it's really a serious issue," says Smith. "The only recourse families have is to look at options outside of day care and use every resource they can." Related Articles:Blended family financesStrategies for single parents4 money lessons for childrenChoosing a school for kidsRelated Links:A college investment planFamily learns to spend lessIRS can help you look after kidsAvoid the nanny tax pitfalls advertisement
Rix adds that to have au pair help, families must be willing to offer the worker a spare room in their home, meals and $500 toward the worker's educational expenses on top of the weekly salary. If a spare room isn't available, NACCRRA's Smith advises families to look at nanny and baby-sitter sharing options with neighbors and friends as well as low-cost child day care options available through community centers, faith-based organizations and the YMCA.
"Under the best of times child care is difficult. In a bad economy, it's really a serious issue," says Smith. "The only recourse families have is to look at options outside of day care and use every resource they can."
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