by Tinoy Mama

Created on: June 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 12, 2008

What kid doesn't look forward to summer vacation? Kids can't wait for school to end and for the fun of "freedom" to begin. At the same time, many parents, especially working parents, dread the idea of two to three months of no school. What will they do with their children? Not all parents can afford to send their kids to camp, and are left with a logistical dilemma, as well as guilty feelings of being unable to "entertain" their kids all summer long.

What parents need to remember, though, is that for kids, just being out of school, having no homework, and being able to sleep in is enough of a treat. Add the occasional movie or outing to the pool in the afternoon, and they are all set. The problem arises for families with two working parents and young kids who cannot stay home by themselves for long periods of time, if at all. For those parents who just can't afford to send their kids to camp, there are several possible solutions:

1) CO-OP: You are not alone in your predicament! There are probably several families in the neighborhood who have school-aged kids with nowhere to go. Try to work out a schedule where you can watch one another's children. Maybe not all the parents have the same work schedule, or they work on a rotating schedule that allows them to stay at home during the day a couple of times a week.

2) SHARE A BABYSITTER: If you have a couple of friends who are willing to share a babysitter with you, you not only will pay less than you would for a camp, but will also pay less than you would for a babysitter watching your kids only. The babysitter can rotate houses (so the mess is not always in the same place), and the parents can drop their kids off at the agreed-upon house. The kids can have fun playing and doing group activities, and the parents will rest easy knowing that their kids are in good hands. It is important to make sure, however, that there are not too many kids assigned to a single babysitter.

3) GET THE HELP OF FAMILY: If you are fortunate enough to have family live near you, ask them for help with childcare. Many grandparents will be more than happy to watch the grandkids during the summer, and there is no shame in asking. To avoid the feeling that you are taking advantage of good ol' gramps, though, maybe buy him a present, take him out to a nice dinner, of give him a gift certificate to his favorite knick-knack shop.

4) GET A PART TIME JOB WITH PERKS: If your hours at your primary job allow this, think about getting a part time job (even one shift a week) at a day care or similar facility. Often, working just a few hours a week will still get you a significant discount in child care. Also, if you have a friend or a relative that works for such a facility, see if they can get your child into the program for a reduced fee.

5) UTILIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES: Many communities have free or reduced-cost programs for kids who qualify. A facility such as "The Boys and Girls Club of America" is an example. Your church or temple might have a summer program for kids as well. In addition, many city-based summer programs (through the Department of Parks and Recreation, and sometimes even the YMCA) will have a limited number of scholarships available. Be sure to look into those as early as possible, as those slots get filled quickly.

Sometimes it is possible to combine all of the above ideas to make them work for a whole summer. Three months is a long time to be without childcare, and while some parents can afford to take the summer off of work, many cannot. But don't lose hope-keep brainstorming for ideas, and hopefully you will find a solution that will work for you and your family.

Happy Summer!

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