Ask:
With school about to be out, what do ya'll do for summer care? I've seen alot of wanted ads for summer nanny's on my craigslist. But for those working moms who live paycheck to paycheck I would think that paying for summer camp/daycare/nanny would be hard for you. So I was just thinking, trying to remember what I did with my summers when i was in school back in the day since my mom was a single mom. I went to summer camps, daycare and my grandmothers. I'm a big fan of year round school (with lots of shorter breaks) I guess that situation would be very helpful right about now!
Have you figured out care for your children yet? Are you looking/preparing? If you aren't financially sound, do you budget and save year round to cover the costs of summer care?
Answer:
I had been working as a therapist and went back into teaching primarily so that I could deal with this issue. For me it was one of those "mom sacrifices" we all end up making one way or the other. Camps, etc are expensive and I get kind of nervous about my kids mixing with these kids that I don't know. You can never be too careful. I'm less afraid of the adults than I am the other kids. Now I am home with them when they are home and over the summer I have a week of pre-planning that they will be home. Usually DH will take 2-3 days of vacation time and I sneak in my oldest with me on the other days. he is well-behaved in those kind of circumstances. (Not at home, but when it counts, he usually steps up to the plate!) My youngest used tojust re-enroll in his preschool a week early and I budgeted for it, but this year he is going to kindergarten and I'm not sure what i will do with him during pre-planning yet. He's definitely a child I can't "sneak in" with me; he is a good kid but very active and loud.
I feel for people who have to struggle with this issue. My cousin's daughters are in camp over winter, spring, and summer break. It's expensive and to me, it seems like they are only at home to eat, bathe, and sleep. I know it is really hard for the whole family.