Craigslist is popular with private landlords. Call them up, be up front about the credit so no one is wasting time pulling your reports when you do not meet their standards.

Your martial status and having a child are not relevant, they should not ask. All that really matters is your income, credit, criminal back ground and if you have been evicted.
why is your credit bad? the ll's who check will ask you that.

why not seek out a single mom with a house who has a kid
and swap services with her; PT baby sitting?

no credit check doing that.
Use Craigslist, there's lots of available rentals there or look under roommates wanted. A lot of the private homes don't do credit checks. Good Luck to you!
i will if you pay 1 and 1/2 years rent up front and in cash…..