Free child care! I bet you're skeptical. If you get what you pay for, then child care is something you'll want to pay for. But I'm not suggesting free child care from just anyone...just the opposite.
Find free child care by tapping into resources in your community and social network. Look to services you already pay for or trusted friends and family with whom you might work out an exchange.
Infants and toddlers are more work intensive, so most of these 5 ways to find free child care are better for school age kids (but at least one is good for younger kids). And most are not going to yield of long periods of time. But work-at-home moms can take advantage of short bits of time when free child care is available.
I’m glad you recognized grandparents as a source of free child care. We’d be hurt if you overlooked us! You suggest that grandparents take children to a museum or pool. Those are great outings, and I have a couple more suggestions. A park with a playground is a cheaper alternative. If you pack lunch or snacks, a park visit can occupy a couple of hours. A spray park or sprayground is a safer alternative to the pool for children who don’t swim well.
Now if I could only find someone to take care of my parents for free!
But i usually find family is the best resource for finding help with the children
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