What help is there for a working father of two toddlers whose
stay-at-home wife is very pregnant (October 16,2004 due date) with
complications (pubic symphysis)?  I have been missing quite a few days
of work to take my preschooler to school, pick her up  and help out at
home with our other child.  I am a full-time music teacher for grades
K-8 and I am trying to finish my dissertation at Boston University (I
am ABD-"all-but dissertation").

Hello dwhite-ga,

You may want to look into a nanny for your home. It would be a great
help with the transportation of your preschooler, and help with the
home duties for you and your wife. It would also be reassuring to have
someone in the home while you are away at work or school because of
your wife's complications. Not to mention how great it would be for
her and you both to have some help in caring for 2 small children
after the birth and recovery time of your wife.

Here are some nanny services in Boston and nationwide that may be able to help.

http://www.4nannies.com/
"4nannies.com is the original online nanny search service. Our nanny
services provide families the best recruiting value and experience
available. We are committed to your success and your child's safety.
We include a criminal background search in every family membership,
and offer a 'Member Toolkit' with agency-developed forms and
professional advice. We invite you to learn more about how
4nannies.com can help you."

http://www.nannies4hire.com/
"nannies4hire.com is an online nanny referral service which provides a
database designed to quickly help you find a quality nanny for your
childcare needs."

http://www.beaconhillnannies.com/
"Welcome to Beacon Hill Nannies, Inc. Since 1988, we have assisted
families nationwide in hiring the best childcare professionals
available. This website contains all the information you need to sign
up as a participating family, or as a nanny candidate. We also provide
a complete payroll service for anyone requiring complete tax
accounting and payroll service. Request a Family Application and we
will have one of our Placement Specialists contact you right away."

Google Search
Nannies in Boston
://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&c2coff=1&q=nannies+in+boston&btnG=Search

If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

Hi dwhite,

I can totally empathize with you. Have you checked with your local
community resources? Mabe you could qualify for a "visiting homemaker"
or nurse.
Do you have any sympathetic neighbours or family that could perhaps help out?
Is anyone going to stay with you once the baby is born?

I would also suggest talking to your wife's doctor about getting some help.

I hope you have discussed your circumstances with your boss/
management at your work. I found, that during a time I was totally
stressed out, my employer was extremely supportive and offered various
options to me.

Take care & congrats on your upcoming new arrival!

Steph53

A religious organization, particularly one to which you are affiliated
in some way, might be able to summon resources. For example, if you
are Jewish, Jewish Family and Children Services in Boston
http://www.jfcsboston.org/ might be helpful, and since you are at
Boston University, the Boston Univesity Hillel,
http://www.bu.edu/hillel/, should be able to help.

Even if you aren't Jewish, the above organizations might be able to
help anyway, and if not, could point you in a better direction.

How about taking some time off from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act?

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

Go to http://boston.craigslist.com where you can post your job, or
search listings of people looking for work.

if you type in babysitter in the search field on the left, postings
will show up for college kids etc. who will work for cheap, and
looking for some extra money. see link below.

http://boston.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/search?areaID=4&subAreaID=&type_search=1&query=babysitter&cat=ccc