As parents, we have to make some tough choices in life. We want to provide the best we can for our children but sometimes we also need to have that second income to pay the bills - not for luxuries but just to cover the mortgage, put food on the table, and maybe save some for college. But working usually requires child care for our little ones and that can cost a fortunate, as well as requiring your child to stay in a stranger's home.

A better solution is free in home child care. Now you're probably saying that would be an obvious solution but not necessarily a practical one. Where are you going to find free child care?

The answer is through a work in exchange for rent program. If you have a spare room in your home and can spare enough money to feed an extra person, you could have the child care you want for your child at no additional cost and done in your home.

Obviously, there are some risks associated with bringing a stranger into your home to care for your children. However, you can do background checks on people and other criminal history checks to ensure your child is safe and receiving the best home care you could want. Plus, since you'll be receiving free in home care for your child, you could take additional steps, such as placing cameras in the home (this is not something I would recommend because it can be an invasion of privacy for both your child and the caregiver).

Take your time and get to know the person who will be providing the care in your home before they arrive. And make sure your children meet them, too, and get along with them. Whether the babysitter is living in your home or has a place of their own, you are still trusting your child to someone you don't know very well. But with this type of arrangement, you can get to know the care provider better and take precautions to ensure your child is going to be save while also receiving child care for a price you won't find anywhere else.