Cut Your Child Care Costs

STAFFORD, Va. (WUSA) -- Sharon Kelley got a double whammy 10 months ago. She welcomed twins into her family and selling real estate stopped paying the bills.

"As the market changed, my child care had to change, and we really had to make some pretty huge decisions," says Kelley, a mother of three.

Decisions that could have included coming home with the kids for good. That is, until her mom agreed to move up from South Carolina - and stay.

Kelley talked with her mom to figure out a plan.

"How can we lighten the load, so to speak? Not just financially, but when it comes to safety and security," says Kelley.

The Kelley family is not alone. Care.com CEO Sheila Lirio Marcelo says in a crisis 82 percent of families turn to a relative for help.

"Families continue to be worried about how they are going to cover these costs, "says Marcelo. "Child care is the second largest budgetary item for many families."

Marcelo says keeping it all in the family keeps parents calm and budgets in tact.

"That helps families and it's often 35 percent less than formal child care arrangements," says Marcelo.

Sharon Kelley says: "If I had a nanny, I'd have to actually have a salary. And, it's different, it's your mom. So, let's go shopping."

Kelley used to pay $600 a week to care for her kids. Now, she saves at least $1000 a month thanks to Grammy.

"She gets time with her grandkids - her only grandkids - so it's perfect. It works out very well."

It's an investment that helps the Kelley family's bottom line now and in the future.

If you're considering a family member to care for your children, Marcelo says communication can avoid problems.

She says: be clear about your boundaries at home, pick your battles, don't wait for something to blow up to talk and be respectful.