by Christine Wallace

Created on: June 09, 2008   Last Updated: June 12, 2008

A Summer Survival Guide for Working Parents of School-Aged Children

June conjures up memories of picking strawberries, grilling hamburgers at a barbecue, attending a wedding every weekend, and gathering rose bouquets in the sun. For parents and children, June also signals the start of summer vacation. Working parents of young school-aged children face a challenge of finding fun, educational, and affordable childcare for the summer. With some research and a little creativity, parents can give their children the best childcare possible and an unforgettable summer full of entertaining activities without breaking the bank.

Many daycare centers offer affordable summer childcare programs that provide unique learning experiences. In addition to supervising children, most daycares offer developmentally appropriate instruction. Instead of forgetting things learned during the school year, children continue learning throughout the summer. Certain daycare centers cater to developing specific interests of children, such as arts, sports, and foreign language. Many daycare centers take enriching field trips to places such as museums and swimming pools. The best part about daycare centers is that they offer children the opportunity to make friends with their peers. Parents should carefully research all available daycare options and consult with the teachers of their children for recommendations on how to find the right solution for their family.

Another option for working parents is to select a single individual to be the primary caregiver of their children for the summer. Hiring a babysitter may be more affordable than other forms of childcare, especially if it is for multiple children. A child can benefit from having more individualized attention from a babysitter and the opportunity to have a flexible daily schedule rather than a set routine. A trusted family member, a neighbor, or a parent's friend could be the perfect child caregiver. Emotionally mature high school students, college students, or stay-at-home parents could also provide excellent childcare. Parents should look for a caregiver that has a sunny personality, childcare skills, and current first aid and CPR certifications.

An afternoon in a park is the perfect way to pass an afternoon on a budget. Most parks offer well-maintained playground equipment and sporting areas available for use for free. Investing in some inexpensive sporting equipment and a picnic basket transforms a trip to the park into an adventure.

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