Children at home are the biggest obstacles for work at home mothers. Screaming toddlers are not going to be quiet when you have business calls. They probably won't take that 'daily' nap so that you can get some of your work done. Undoubtedly, this will also be the same child who will eat all of your post-its and stick food into your hard drive. These series of 'childish' events can be very frustrating for the work at home mom. After a period of this type of frustrating activity many moms just give up their hopes and dreams of a home based business. But before you give up and throw the baby out with all of your dreams remember that because you can set your own schedule you do have a certain amount of flexibility and control over your childcare situation. Creativity and thinking outside of the box can help you handle your childcare needs and allow you to build and run that fabulous home based business of your dreams. Create some flexibility and begin to think outside of the box with your childcare options. Here are some alternatives for you:

* Childcare Co-op: Find a group of work at home parents and swap off childcare duties. You can keep track of how many hours you watch each child and use the time you accrue when you need it most. The great thing about this is it is free. The downside is that you will have to give up work time to handle other people's children.

* Trading or Mom-swapping: This is the smaller version of co-op. this will involve you and a good friend trading off childcare days. Make sure you set clear boundaries about when you will take the other child and when they will take yours. You don't want to be taken advantage of. You will also want to make sure the kids like each other and get along well. If they don't then this will end up being a bad experience. * Sitter Sharing: Share a sitter with a friend. You can have the sitter watch both kids at the same time and split the cost or use the sitter on alternate days. Make sure that you have a written agreement on how the sitter is used and what you will be paying to avoid any unseen complications. * Barter: Trade your products and services with a neighbor or friend in exchange for childcare. This will keep you from spending money and still pay the person doing the care for you.

To come up with inexpensive childcare solutions you must be a networking prowess. Spread the word that you are looking for childcare to everyone you know. Think in terms of trading and business opportunities. You are looking for a partner in a business deal. This will help you to get what you need. Some moms are lucky to have businesses that are kid friendly. They are the lucky ones for sure. Those ladies who have to make endless phone calls or have meetings may find that childcare of some sort is unavoidable. Try your best to get the right childcare for you and not spend an arm and a leg getting it.

Copyright ? Eleanor Tilghman