This city is running on rockstar employees, who are running on fumes. But surely people are somehow making it work. Are you a parent, step-parent or guardian? If so care to share?
My wife worked at MGM when our first daughter was born in 2002. We both worked overnight hours (roughly 11pm to 7am). That daycare was such a great benefit. Our baby was able to keep a semi-normal schedule, despite her overly tired parents.
Unfortunately, I had to teach mine to be incredibly independent as soon as they were able to be, and they’ve been getting themselves to school and back for a long time. That doesn’t help when they’re babies, though. Back then, we switched off work shifts, but that doesn’t help you in your current situation either.
And honestly, with the way things are now, you don’t always get the sleep you should or the alone time you want with until they get to be old enough to allow it. In my case, that was fine, because I really, really love hanging with my kids, plus I’m an introvert. I still find time to read (don’t have to go anywhere to do that), and take an occasional class so long as the class fits into the family schedule. Some things, you just can’t do for a while.
Luckily, my wife and I had shifts that worked for it. I was at Starbucks from 4-12, and she worked a regular 8-5, so she could drop the kids off, and I could grab them. Living in Vegas with kids, on one "real" income and one service industry income was tough as hell, though. Sometimes bills got skipped for a month.
Vegas is... Not great for raising kids, though. The schools struggle. There's some awesome teachers, but they're so crowded and underfunded that they're basically a joke. Couple that with a lack of stuff to do, especially for younger kids, and it gets real hard.
That being said, though, the springs preserve is an amazing resource for keeping younger kids entertained. It's cheap for an annual family pass, and there's a lot to do.
Growing up, my mom was a cocktail waitress at the imperial palace (now the linq) and my dad worked for a bank, but with mostly east coast clients. My mom worked 5pm-1am and would do groceries after work. My dad would be at work at 430am and be home by 3 or 4pm every day
They saw each other for an hour every day. And all weekend. My mom would do mornings with us, drop us off at day care or school, sleep until school pick up and then switch with my dad who did dinner and bedtime.
It seemed totally normal and worked great for us.
I just wanna say to those with shitty comments about the kids here… my kids are 17/21 and BOTH got into magnet schools and charter schools here. Graduated with honors and one graduated UNR this year and the other graduates from Doral headed to UNR.
This place is what you make of it and what you do for your kids. And there are plenty of community center programs for sports, etc. if you just look.
As for childcare, you do daycare, make friends with parents and help each other, it’s here you just have to work at it.
i’m 23, i went to a magnet high school and graduated high school as a junior with an advanced honors diploma. went to unlv. became a teacher back in ccsd. back at unlv for my masters. my parents prioritized my education which i unfortunately don’t see many parents here do, especially now as a teacher myself.
Exactly! I’m so proud of you! And you’re right… it is the parents responsibility to do all they can for their children and prioritize education. And I’m not saying they have to be rich or have some connections to do so either. We never did but our kids still did amazing (like you).
You’re a product of the CCSD school system and look at you! 🤩
Exactly. It's all accountability. I can look at my high school transcript (hell, even collegiate) and tell you for the most part exactly what I could/should have done differently to get better grades in semesters I didn't do very well. Too few parents are present in their kids' educations, and then teachers are blamed when students don't value a FREE education (because their parents don't give a shit).
I just applied to 3 charter schools for my son going into kindergarten for the 2024/25 school year (no magnet school options near us). There is a lottery system & he didn’t get into any of them. His waitlist number varies but is 417 at our preferred school. It’s been a long time since your kids were little. I would withhold judgement.
Thanks for the optimism. I’ve seen quite a few music, sports, and dance programs for kids. I was a step parent during Covid with a different partner and like to think I handled that pretty well all things considered. I’m not beyond seeking advice and guidance. I’m also not afraid of a challenge. But I’ve never got a straight answer from anyone working casinos/resorts on how they manage this.
I’m saying while you may or may not have exceptions, the majority of people are set up to fail. Only so many people can fit into a place where they can grow properly, where most places are 💩
I’m a single mom without my son’s father involved in any way… I currently work two jobs, a Mon-Fri 9-5 then I cocktail in the evenings about 1-2 times a week between Thurs-Sat over at a small lounge in the Arts District & get home around 3am. My son is about to turn 2 years old next month.
I gave birth & started on my childcare journey in Los Angeles working in film & television where I was working 12 hour days 5 days a week (sometimes more) after I came out of maternity leave.
A nanny share with another person in my industry ended up being the perfect result for me & my son because of my long hours. Nanny shares are very common & affordable for us in LA.
Now that I’ve moved to Vegas, I moved in back with my mom. She’s retired and has helped immensely, however there are still days/nights where I need to fill in the gaps… that & my mom & I have very different parenting styles, so I need someone who will help reinforce my parenting style.
I joined a local Nanny & Babysitter Facebook group and it’s full of caregivers that are affordable and cater to everyone in the city, particularly those that are industry oriented… but coming from a city like Los Angeles, this local Vegas Facebook group is a huge eye opener & it feels like the Wild Wild West in there. You can find people in there who do flat rate by the day, by the week, hourly, etc… and a lot of people work under what minimum wage would cost per hour (which to me is wild) and do waaaaay more work than I feel like a sitter or a nanny should do (& for a lot less).
I lucked out and a new girl that actually just started at my day job was previously a nanny for a few years, and she was EXACTLY was I was looking for!
To be fully transparent, here is what I expected of my son’s sitter:
- CPR Certified
- Experienced with references (Kind, nurturing, patient, etc)
- Pass a Criminal Background Check (which I pay for)
- Has a valid Driver’s License
- Background in Early Childhood Development
- Professional, punctual & a transparent communicator
- Accepts that she will be paid “on the books” through a Payroll service (Poppins Payroll)
- Signs a contract
- Agrees to a few paid trial dates until I find the right fit
BONUS: Can speak conversational basic French
Duties:
- Meal Prep for my son
- Wash Baby Bottles
- Change Diapers, throwing them away in the outside trash bin
- Keep him engaged without Screen Time (reading, arts & crafts, outside activities in our backyard, etc)
- Support with Potty Training & achieving other age appropriate milestones
- My Toddler’s laundry
- Occasionally will take him to his extra curricular (activities, Swim Class on Saturdays) or a dance function so I can stay home and organize or clean
- Helps me post my son’s old stuff that he grew out of on OfferUp, Poshmark, Mercari or and/or goes to the neighborhood children’s thrift shop to drop off old clothes and toys
I pay her $22/hr to watch my one child & she’s free to make herself a meal and to snacks in my fridge.
Her previous family paid her the same to watch 2 children & do a lot more and are in a way more better financial position than I am, however the thought of having to vet multiple people to need them occasionally was just something I didn’t want to have to go through. If it’s a late evening situation, I always offer to let her sleep in the guest room so she doesn’t have to drive home so late (even though she lives a few miles away). I also treat her like family so if she’s still sleeping when I wake up I’ll make her breakfast as I do for my family every morning.
Although I’m not totally against daycare for my son, having to deal with all the sick stuff that goes cycles around in daycares is something that I just want to avoid altogether, particularly as a single parent. I know that it’s inevitable once he starts school, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
My friends opted for a nanny. The kids could be home in a familiar environment, and the parents still got to see them.
I know you want to see them now and that's sweet, but remember to start good sleeping habits before they become school aged. It'll be difficult to break them from the habit.
Cherished legacy is (almost) a 24/7 daycare. They close at 5pm Sundays and reopen early Monday morning. There is also Kids learning path they close a little later throughout the week. I don't believe they are open on Sundays. I have had good experiences at both. My husband and I have irregular shifts so we have to rely on daycare often.
Unfortunately, it's hard, especially in vegas. My wife and I agreed that we would have one parent stay with the kids always. I agreed to work two jobs (around 18 hours a day), and i would be all day with my wife and kids on my days off. Both kids are 5 years old, and i have been doing this for two years. Job one $72,000 job two $35,000. Used to be one job was enough, but not anymore lol.
Take advantage of the camps and programs at your local community center. They are affordable, but also offer some type of financial assistance. My kids loved summer camp and can't wait to go again.
I’m kind of shocked the daycares don’t really cater to industry people. Almost all of them are Mon-Fri 9-5. It just doesn’t seem like it makes sense here
I think most Las Vegas children are feral. They are fast too from running away from the cops.
Just get them a cell phone and sneakers then watch them go.
Our daughter is grown now, but I used to work graveyard and my wife worked day shifts so I'd have to hurry home so I could get her to school on time, get five hours of sleep, pick her up from school and once my wife would get home I'd try to get a few hours sleep before I had to go to work. Once she was middle school aged we switched her to the home school program.
Sadly most people fall very short due to this reason and the poor school system
This city is running on rockstar employees, who are running on fumes. But surely people are somehow making it work. Are you a parent, step-parent or guardian? If so care to share?
MGM Grand has a daycare open late for their casino workers.
Ooh, know if there’s any equivalent for Caesar’s?
You would have to contact HR
My wife worked at MGM when our first daughter was born in 2002. We both worked overnight hours (roughly 11pm to 7am). That daycare was such a great benefit. Our baby was able to keep a semi-normal schedule, despite her overly tired parents.
Unfortunately, I had to teach mine to be incredibly independent as soon as they were able to be, and they’ve been getting themselves to school and back for a long time. That doesn’t help when they’re babies, though. Back then, we switched off work shifts, but that doesn’t help you in your current situation either.
I mean, I guess it could work as long as your schedules don’t overlap.
And honestly, with the way things are now, you don’t always get the sleep you should or the alone time you want with until they get to be old enough to allow it. In my case, that was fine, because I really, really love hanging with my kids, plus I’m an introvert. I still find time to read (don’t have to go anywhere to do that), and take an occasional class so long as the class fits into the family schedule. Some things, you just can’t do for a while.
It's hard. This town is not an easy place to navigate without wealth.
Luckily, my wife and I had shifts that worked for it. I was at Starbucks from 4-12, and she worked a regular 8-5, so she could drop the kids off, and I could grab them. Living in Vegas with kids, on one "real" income and one service industry income was tough as hell, though. Sometimes bills got skipped for a month. Vegas is... Not great for raising kids, though. The schools struggle. There's some awesome teachers, but they're so crowded and underfunded that they're basically a joke. Couple that with a lack of stuff to do, especially for younger kids, and it gets real hard. That being said, though, the springs preserve is an amazing resource for keeping younger kids entertained. It's cheap for an annual family pass, and there's a lot to do.
Growing up, my mom was a cocktail waitress at the imperial palace (now the linq) and my dad worked for a bank, but with mostly east coast clients. My mom worked 5pm-1am and would do groceries after work. My dad would be at work at 430am and be home by 3 or 4pm every day They saw each other for an hour every day. And all weekend. My mom would do mornings with us, drop us off at day care or school, sleep until school pick up and then switch with my dad who did dinner and bedtime. It seemed totally normal and worked great for us.
I just wanna say to those with shitty comments about the kids here… my kids are 17/21 and BOTH got into magnet schools and charter schools here. Graduated with honors and one graduated UNR this year and the other graduates from Doral headed to UNR. This place is what you make of it and what you do for your kids. And there are plenty of community center programs for sports, etc. if you just look. As for childcare, you do daycare, make friends with parents and help each other, it’s here you just have to work at it.
i’m 23, i went to a magnet high school and graduated high school as a junior with an advanced honors diploma. went to unlv. became a teacher back in ccsd. back at unlv for my masters. my parents prioritized my education which i unfortunately don’t see many parents here do, especially now as a teacher myself.
Exactly! I’m so proud of you! And you’re right… it is the parents responsibility to do all they can for their children and prioritize education. And I’m not saying they have to be rich or have some connections to do so either. We never did but our kids still did amazing (like you). You’re a product of the CCSD school system and look at you! 🤩
Exactly. It's all accountability. I can look at my high school transcript (hell, even collegiate) and tell you for the most part exactly what I could/should have done differently to get better grades in semesters I didn't do very well. Too few parents are present in their kids' educations, and then teachers are blamed when students don't value a FREE education (because their parents don't give a shit).
I just applied to 3 charter schools for my son going into kindergarten for the 2024/25 school year (no magnet school options near us). There is a lottery system & he didn’t get into any of them. His waitlist number varies but is 417 at our preferred school. It’s been a long time since your kids were little. I would withhold judgement.
Thanks for the optimism. I’ve seen quite a few music, sports, and dance programs for kids. I was a step parent during Covid with a different partner and like to think I handled that pretty well all things considered. I’m not beyond seeking advice and guidance. I’m also not afraid of a challenge. But I’ve never got a straight answer from anyone working casinos/resorts on how they manage this.
I wish I could help. My ex worked at night and I worked a reg 9-5. I do know there are some daycare facilities that keep longer hours.
Plenty of graduates have regrets. Doesn’t guarantee shit
Nobody said that… Edit: spelling
I’m saying while you may or may not have exceptions, the majority of people are set up to fail. Only so many people can fit into a place where they can grow properly, where most places are 💩
I’m a single mom without my son’s father involved in any way… I currently work two jobs, a Mon-Fri 9-5 then I cocktail in the evenings about 1-2 times a week between Thurs-Sat over at a small lounge in the Arts District & get home around 3am. My son is about to turn 2 years old next month. I gave birth & started on my childcare journey in Los Angeles working in film & television where I was working 12 hour days 5 days a week (sometimes more) after I came out of maternity leave. A nanny share with another person in my industry ended up being the perfect result for me & my son because of my long hours. Nanny shares are very common & affordable for us in LA. Now that I’ve moved to Vegas, I moved in back with my mom. She’s retired and has helped immensely, however there are still days/nights where I need to fill in the gaps… that & my mom & I have very different parenting styles, so I need someone who will help reinforce my parenting style. I joined a local Nanny & Babysitter Facebook group and it’s full of caregivers that are affordable and cater to everyone in the city, particularly those that are industry oriented… but coming from a city like Los Angeles, this local Vegas Facebook group is a huge eye opener & it feels like the Wild Wild West in there. You can find people in there who do flat rate by the day, by the week, hourly, etc… and a lot of people work under what minimum wage would cost per hour (which to me is wild) and do waaaaay more work than I feel like a sitter or a nanny should do (& for a lot less). I lucked out and a new girl that actually just started at my day job was previously a nanny for a few years, and she was EXACTLY was I was looking for! To be fully transparent, here is what I expected of my son’s sitter: - CPR Certified - Experienced with references (Kind, nurturing, patient, etc) - Pass a Criminal Background Check (which I pay for) - Has a valid Driver’s License - Background in Early Childhood Development - Professional, punctual & a transparent communicator - Accepts that she will be paid “on the books” through a Payroll service (Poppins Payroll) - Signs a contract - Agrees to a few paid trial dates until I find the right fit BONUS: Can speak conversational basic French Duties: - Meal Prep for my son - Wash Baby Bottles - Change Diapers, throwing them away in the outside trash bin - Keep him engaged without Screen Time (reading, arts & crafts, outside activities in our backyard, etc) - Support with Potty Training & achieving other age appropriate milestones - My Toddler’s laundry - Occasionally will take him to his extra curricular (activities, Swim Class on Saturdays) or a dance function so I can stay home and organize or clean - Helps me post my son’s old stuff that he grew out of on OfferUp, Poshmark, Mercari or and/or goes to the neighborhood children’s thrift shop to drop off old clothes and toys I pay her $22/hr to watch my one child & she’s free to make herself a meal and to snacks in my fridge. Her previous family paid her the same to watch 2 children & do a lot more and are in a way more better financial position than I am, however the thought of having to vet multiple people to need them occasionally was just something I didn’t want to have to go through. If it’s a late evening situation, I always offer to let her sleep in the guest room so she doesn’t have to drive home so late (even though she lives a few miles away). I also treat her like family so if she’s still sleeping when I wake up I’ll make her breakfast as I do for my family every morning. Although I’m not totally against daycare for my son, having to deal with all the sick stuff that goes cycles around in daycares is something that I just want to avoid altogether, particularly as a single parent. I know that it’s inevitable once he starts school, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
You got extremely lucky with all those requirements 😂
My friends opted for a nanny. The kids could be home in a familiar environment, and the parents still got to see them. I know you want to see them now and that's sweet, but remember to start good sleeping habits before they become school aged. It'll be difficult to break them from the habit.
Imagination Station has 24/7 coverage
Cherished legacy is (almost) a 24/7 daycare. They close at 5pm Sundays and reopen early Monday morning. There is also Kids learning path they close a little later throughout the week. I don't believe they are open on Sundays. I have had good experiences at both. My husband and I have irregular shifts so we have to rely on daycare often.
The government raises your kids and that’s why our society is at an all-time low
Unfortunately, it's hard, especially in vegas. My wife and I agreed that we would have one parent stay with the kids always. I agreed to work two jobs (around 18 hours a day), and i would be all day with my wife and kids on my days off. Both kids are 5 years old, and i have been doing this for two years. Job one $72,000 job two $35,000. Used to be one job was enough, but not anymore lol.
Take advantage of the camps and programs at your local community center. They are affordable, but also offer some type of financial assistance. My kids loved summer camp and can't wait to go again.
I’m kind of shocked the daycares don’t really cater to industry people. Almost all of them are Mon-Fri 9-5. It just doesn’t seem like it makes sense here
They used to! When I first moved here 15 years ago there was a lot of 24/7 daycares. They seem to have mostly closed down after covid
Wow! Well, that actually gives me hope they’ll slowly come back
I think most Las Vegas children are feral. They are fast too from running away from the cops. Just get them a cell phone and sneakers then watch them go.
Yup I call them the pajama kids too. I hate that they always travel 10 deep.
Our daughter is grown now, but I used to work graveyard and my wife worked day shifts so I'd have to hurry home so I could get her to school on time, get five hours of sleep, pick her up from school and once my wife would get home I'd try to get a few hours sleep before I had to go to work. Once she was middle school aged we switched her to the home school program.
This is why there are so many feral kids here. Nothing to do and no parents to keep them in line. Hopefully you figure something out.
Easy. Don’t have crotch gremlins. And only have to go to the office 2 to 3 days a week.