One of the biggest challenges families face today—military or not—is childcare. For many parents, the cost of full-time care rivals a rent or mortgage payment. Add a second child to the bunch, and suddenly one parent staying home feels like the only financially reasonable option.

Now, layer in military life: moving every few years, starting over on waitlists (sometimes months or even years long), and balancing a new job with finding reliable childcare in a brand-new city. It’s exhausting just to think about.

When my husband was a drill sergeant and I was working remotely with a 4-month-old, I had an understanding boss who didn’t mind my son making cameo appearances on Zoom. However, as my little one grew—and started pulling my laptop off the desk—I found myself burnt out, sleepless, and desperate for help.

That’s when we turned to Care.com. I’d worked as a nanny through the platform years ago, so I trusted it. The site made it simple to search for caregivers based on hourly rates, CPR/first aid certification, years of experience, education, and even languages spoken. We could read reviews, post a job listing, and message candidates right from the app.

Our first nanny was nothing short of Mary Poppins: a Chaplain’s wife, mom of five, and Montessori-trained with the sweetest personality. She was “mom goals” for me! She instantly connected with our son, and for the first time since becoming a parent, I felt like I was able to accept outside help with childcare. Then, in true Army fashion, her husband got 30 day PCS orders two months after starting with us.

Back to Care.com we went, and thankfully we found another wonderful fit—a pediatric PT assistant who quickly became our toddler’s best friend and teacher. From introducing sign language to encouraging new motor skills, she’s brought joy and structure into our daily routine.

Care.com hasn’t just been a solution for coverage during my work day. It’s also a lifesaver for date-night sitters, doctor’s appointments, or even just a few hours of extra help during the week. The fact that sitters are background-checked gave us peace of mind, especially when compared to the last-minute “anyone free to babysit tonight?” posts that pop up in military spouse Facebook groups.

The truth is, military life guarantees unpredictability. Jobs, duty stations, and even our support systems PCS on us, but with resources like Care.com, it helps create a safety net, giving families a little stability in a world where so much feels out of their control. Sometimes, that small piece of stability makes all the difference.

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