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When planning a vacation, it’s hard to think about anything else. Even if the trip is still 274 days away, your mind might start drifting off to a warm Italian beach or the Swiss countryside when you look out the window. And having something to look forward to can get you through the most difficult days at work!
But one woman’s travel plans almost got derailed when her sister begged her to be a last-minute babysitter. Below, you’ll find the full story that was shared on Reddit, detailing how this woman stood her ground even though it meant hurting her sister’s feelings.
This woman has been looking forward to her anniversary trip for a year
Image credits: Prostock-studio / envato (not the actual photo)
So when her sister called desperately looking for a babysitter, she refused to sacrifice her travel plans
Image credits: kanthitas / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: sl89001
Childcare can cost parents hundreds of dollars a week
There are many aspects of parenting that make the job challenging, but finding reliable childcare is definitely one of the hardest parts, at least when your kiddos are young. According to the UK government’s annual survey of parents about “childcare and early years,” 35% of parents feel like there aren’t enough childcare places to take care of kids. 21% of parents also reported having trouble finding childcare flexible enough to meet their family’s needs.
Cost is an important factor to consider when trying to find childcare as well. 34% of parents with children who are 4 years old or younger find it “difficult” or “very difficult” to cover the cost of childcare. And on average, these families are paying about £100 each week to make sure their kids were looked after.
Unsurprisingly, this is an issue in the United States as well. NPR reports that 1 in 3 working families struggle to find the childcare they need, and 44% of households with kids have been “facing serious financial problems.”
A report from Care.com found that, on average, daycare in the US costs $343 per week, while having a nanny costs $827 weekly. Because of this, most parents are spending over a fifth of their household income on childcare. And many admit to spending 29% of their savings on making sure their kids are taken care of.
Finding reliable childcare can be a long and challenging process
So what are parents supposed to do when they can’t find reliable childcare? Unfortunately, not everyone has friends or family nearby that they can rely on in a pinch, but ChildCare.gov recommends considering all of your options. Even if your first choice was a nanny, you might need to accept that daycare is a perfectly good alternative.
And if you can’t find anything nearby, expand your search. It may not be ideal to travel longer distances, but the most important thing is making sure your children are safe and sound. Parents should also not hesitate to get on the waitlist at various daycare centers that they’re interested in. You never know when a spot will open up!
It’s also a good idea for moms and dads to be transparent with their employer if they’re struggling to find childcare. They might be able to allow parents to work flexible hours or provide more work from home days until the family is able to find a reliable babysitter or nanny. And in the same vein, if you’re looking for childcare, reach out to your community. Ask on social media if anyone in the area has suggestions; you might be surprised by how helpful friends and acquaintances can be.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Do you think it’s fair for this mother to ask her sister to postpone her vacation to be a babysitter? Feel free to weigh in. Then, you can check out another Bored Panda article discussing a similar situation right here.
Later, the author replied to a few comments and shared more details about her situation
Many readers agreed that the woman was not obligated to babysit at the last minute
However, some thought she was being selfish by refusing to help out in any way
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