You should start looking for reliable child care about six weeks before you plan to return to work. Currently both the public and private sectors have not given child-care issues the priority they should have, which makes things more difficult.
Unfortunately, the U.S. has fewer nursery places for preschool children than there are children who need it. Nonetheless, things are gradually changing. Some companies now provide workplace day-care centers.
Friends and relatives Letting a relative help can be the perfect solution for many mothers, but consider the situation carefully before asking someone. You can start to feel uncomfortably indebted, or conversely, they can feel taken so granted.
Because you don’t have a “professional” relationship, it may be difficult to stipulate rules and guidelines that they don’t take quite as seriously as you: disciplining problems, for example, can soon become frustrating, particularly if your views on childrearing diverge. On the other hand, if these problems are confronted early the security, flexibility, and low cost of this type of arrangement. If you ask a friend, rather than a close relative, to help on a regular bases and you pay her, you will have to pay social security tax.
Childminders
You will be able to tell from your child’s reaction whether he feels loved and secure with his childminder.
