When it comes to returning to the office, working parents face a particular challenge. How can you go back to in-person work while planning for the unpredictability of childcare? Whether it’s a sick kid, a babysitter with car trouble, or a school closure, there’s a lot to think about. To ease your anxiety, it’s important to maintain a solid support system. Here are three approaches to consider.

Find people with the same patterns of your life. Look at your family’s schedule in the fall and find other parents whose routines match yours. Could you carpool with a family that shares the same pickup and drop-off times at school, daycare, or after-school sports practices?

Build a bench of professional backups. Put together a network of sitters, nannies, and teachers that you can call on when you need a sub.

Ask for flexibility. There will inevitably be times when you can't rely on anyone else to help with childcare responsibilities. Talk with your manager in advance to make sure you have flexibility to work from home or switch up your hours when necessary.