What to do with kids during summer vacation

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

For working/in school moms: What do you do with your school-age children during summer vacation?

There are day camp programs available but they generally don't run all summer long, and I'm left with at least 2-3 weeks with no place to send them until school starts.

This summer, if I get into the accelerated BSN program I applied to, I'll be in school from 9-5 every day and need some ideas for what to do with the kids. Finding a babysitter to look after them all day for three weeks will be hard, not to mention extremely expensive.

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I am lucky in the sense that I don't have to worry about childcare. When my older daughter was the only one we had (for her first 9 years of life) I worked full time days. The hubby runs our business so he was able to bring her to work with him. She loved it. When the 2nd child came, I was offered a position to work from home for the company I worked for.

Have you checked with your kids schools? Many times they run summer programs. How about checking your schools bulletin board, many times students who get the summers off are looking to make some extra money. Many towns run summer camps too. Around here they run like 8a-5p all summer. Check with friends, do they have older children (maybe grandchildren) that are old enough and responsible enough to watch your kids?

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

There are day camp programs available but they only run for like 6 weeks, leaving like a week or two at the beginning of summer and 2-3 weeks at the end uncovered.

I'll have to look into finding a full time babysitter. It's not easy to find anyone to spend all day with school age kids who are out of school. Normally I work hard during those three weeks, planning trips and activities for them.

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I would find a 14-15 yr old responsible girl to watch them. Kids that age are too young to get a real job, but they are very interested in buying clothes, going to movies and such with their friends, etc...but they don't always have the means to make money for these things. A 15 yr old may really love the job, and will probably be happy to do it for significantly less than going through an agency for a temporary nanny or something. They'll feel like they hit the jackpot working full time for you for 3 weeks. A win-win situation.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I don't think 14-15 is old enough to be responsible for kids all day. I have a 13 year old and wouldn't consider leaving him in charge while I was in school. Nineteen is the minimum age I would consider.

But, I guess I should start looking now, even though I don't know yet if I'm accepted or what my schedule will actually be once I start.

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I'll have to attend the 2nd summer session this summer for my psych rotation. My plan is to farm them out to relatives one week at a time. My in-laws just retired, they get a week. My mom takes vacation in the summer, she gets a week. I'll see if my sister-in-law can do a few days. My husband will have to take some vacation and then I'll try to get them into a day camp for a week or so. My church also has Mother's Day Out two days a week all day. If I have to I have two teenage girls I could probably get for a few days as well. It's an ordeal, but in the long run it'll be worth it! This is the first summer I've ever had to do this, so it should be interesting. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
I'll have to attend the 2nd summer session this summer for my psych rotation. My plan is to farm them out to relatives one week at a time. My in-laws just retired, they get a week. My mom takes vacation in the summer, she gets a week. I'll see if my sister-in-law can do a few days. My husband will have to take some vacation and then I'll try to get them into a day camp for a week or so. My church also has Mother's Day Out two days a week all day. If I have to I have two teenage girls I could probably get for a few days as well. It's an ordeal, but in the long run it'll be worth it! This is the first summer I've ever had to do this, so it should be interesting. Good luck!!

It's great that you have relatives who are willing to do this for you! I've thought of flying my mother in for a few weeks so she can take care of the kids but I'm afraid that it would be too much of an imposition on her.

I'm really torn. The truth is that I like being there for my kids. I usually plan special trips and activities and we have a great time in the summer.

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I know what you mean. I hate not being there for them too, but it's only for a few weeks. Besides, they love it! You can still do things with them, it'll just have to be modified to fit your schedule.

And as far as my family helping, they have to. I can't do it without them. Before I started this process I made sure that I had some support and that everyone was on board. I can't do it alone. I have really great friends and church family that are willing to help as well. I'm blessed.

It'll be hard, but one day we'll be so glad we did it! I don't know about you, but we can finally afford to take a vacation when I get done. It's been a real sacrifice for our family for me to stay home with our kids. Now I have to let others sacrifice a little for me so that we can all have a better life. Not to mention this is has been a dream of mine for a long time. Good luck!

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