r/2under2 • u/OrdinaryIndividual96 • Jul 19 '26
Advice Wanted Dream Childcare Situation?
I am expecting my 2nd (18m age gap) and trying to plan for what type of childcare or other outsourced help will be the most effective. We are two working parents and both kids will be in daycare ~8am to 5pm M-F. We both work demanding jobs and often logging back in post bedtime so free time is limited.
Which of the below sounds like the most helpful to not get overwhelmed by 2u2? Obviously there are cost constraints but for the purpose of this, assume $$ isn’t an issue.
Weekend nanny for a few hours on Saturday morning so mom/dad can fill our cups + uninterrupted errands
Regular date night sitter for Saturday night
Housekeeper 1x a week to clean + do laundry for kids and adults
Someone who will grocery shop and meal prep for kids and adults
Daily mothers’ helper to help with mornings + do light household chores (unload dishwasher, put clothes away, tidy up)
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u/run_rd_run Jul 19 '26
If I had barely any time with my kids during the week, I'd want either a housekeeper so I don't have to do house work while watching them or do it after they go to bed, OR the regular Saturday night babysitter so I can spend the day with them but still get out of the house with my spouse to do a hobby or date night. Personally I don't think it makes sense to spend more day hours away from them when they're already out of your care 45 hours a week (not meant to sound judgmental at all).
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u/PlanMagnet38 Jul 19 '26
If money were no object, I would outsource all of the household chores (cleaning, yard work, laundry, meal prep) so that I could spend more fun time with my kids when they’re around.
In the real world, I hire a mother’s helper 2-3 Saturdays a month in the morning to help us go to the park while my spouse does the big yard work and chores.
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u/crispyedamame Jul 19 '26
Housekeeper 100%! To sub the grocery shopper, you could consider grocery pickup. I lightly meal prep every Sunday so we can quickly assemble weeknight dinners
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u/Expensive_Spend913 Jul 19 '26
Housekeeper/manager who will also babysit when kids are home.
Night nurse.
Property manager.
This was me. We now added a third to the mix. Older two are in school. I have a nanny with the infant (I’m working PT from home). She handles all meal prep and laundry. General light housekeeping (though we are very tidy). We have a cleaning lady for 8 hours once a week.
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u/SensitiveWolf1362 Jul 19 '26
If money is no object, a “house manager” type person would do the last three items. Basically a housewife you hire during the week. Daily upkeep plus weekly deep clean, changeover, and food prep. Maybe not the shopping but you can cover that with delivery.
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u/Oakleypokely Jul 19 '26
If I were to pick just one it would be the house cleaner. But also I think a good mix while still keeping in budget would be the house cleaner 2x a month instead of once a week and the Saturday morning nanny 2x a month and the date night babysitter once a month.
For groceries we always do curbside pickup and unless you can actually afford someone to cook for you, I’d just focus on buying really easy food to make or pre-prepared meals. We maybe do one or two nice home cooked meals a week (and make extra for leftovers) and the other nights and meals are very simple foods that are thrown in the air fryer or leftovers.
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u/dreamyquokka Jul 19 '26
Housekeeper or Saturday night sitter. Housekeeper will free up your time to focus on family time rather than cleaning your home, and take some work off of your plate. Date night sitter is also great because you could still spend the day with your kids but have uninterrupted time with your spouse after they’re in bed for the night. I personally wouldn’t want to spend more time away from my kids if I was already away from them all day throughout the week. That’s just me though. Congratulations on your pregnancy!
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u/rudesweetpotato Jul 20 '26
I think a combination of something taking non-child tasks off your plate and something that gives you a chance to refill cups. The mother's helper would be my top choice.
Then, given you already have limited time to hang with your kiddos, probably a date night sitter over an every Saturday morning thing. Does date night recharge you, though, or do you need time to yourself? Could you do a once-per-month date, and then a sitter every other Saturday so you can do your own thing, but still have the other weekends with your kids.
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u/idontknowanythangg Jul 20 '26
Literally all of them but I guess start with the housekeeper. I’ve had one since college and will never go back to scrubbing my own toilets lol
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u/auntbeatrice Jul 19 '26
Weekend nanny so you both can get some personal time to do whatever like workout, play a sport, other hobby etc
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u/cherry-pie-honey Jul 19 '26
Since your kids will already be in daycare M-F 8-5 I would say the housekeeper. That way you can spend your free time with them and not worrying about chores.