School Holidays Childcare Worries

[BrandyandBabycham]

Really tricky this year because of the situation with Covid 19. I work 16 hours over 4 days ( can sometimes swap to 3 days). DH works 6 days a week, sometimes 8 til 8. DM & DF look after DD11 but they are in their early 80s plus DD is I think starting to outgrow going there quite so much. She gets bored. I’m trying to find out if there are any clubs running. Last year we bought a “ passport” for lots of activities, all based either in a local community centre or starting off from there. It was absolutely incredible value but even before Covid, they had said they wouldn’t be able to run it on quite the same lines this year. DD is very anxious so we sometimes struggle to find things that she will actually attend. Is anyone else worried about how they will cope with childcare in the long break?

have your parents volunteered to look after her in the summer break, OP? There is a (free) online summer camp running that she could participate in from their house if that would suit her, and that way at least childcare is covered but she has more structure to her day there.
camp.wonderopolis.org/

There is also a similar thread on this topic here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3942222-Holiday-camps-cancelled-what-are-key-workers-supposed-to-do

all the best

I’m struggling at the moment. DH and I are both key workers, so luckily we’re able to access school, although I did work my shifts to minimise this by doing lots of nights and condensed hours.

The one local holiday club that offered wrap around went in minutes and the few others that are available only offer 9-3/ 10-2 or some other short amount of time that isnt of any use to working parents. The government have messed this one up completely, there’s just not enough provision. I’m starting to panic about it now!

What would you normally do in previous years? I think this year may have to be a grandparents year again unfortunately.

Lucky you only work part time, think the 9-5ers or similar hours are going to really struggle if they don't have parents to help.

At 11 why can't she stay at home. If you only working 4hours I'm sure she will be fine. I left mine at that age for more than 4 hours.

teenagetantrums she’s an immature 11 & certainly couldn’t be left for 4 hours. She has attachment disorder, sensory issues & problems with executive function.
sleepismysuperpower1 my folks are very happy to have her but I feel guilty asking as DM has Parkinsonism & Osteoporosis so DF has quite a bit on his plate looking after her. He is amazing for 82 but I don’t like to put too much on him

The online camp sounds good - will check it out later 🙂🙂

If you have parents who can help, make the most of it. My 7 year has pretty much been left to fend for herself for 4 months. I’m in the same house but can only check on her a few times a day. I’d count your blessings you are only having to worry about the summer holidays. It will do her no harm to watch 6 weeks of tv if she must and perhaps you can put her in charge of helping your parents with some tasks to make it a bit easier on them.

Can you find a university age student who lives locally and is back home for their summer break? Maybe someone doing an education degree or similar? PGCE or a newly qualified teacher not yet started work?