Children and upcoming summer holidays !

[Singleparent92]

Hello! so as we all know the summer holidays are coming up this July and obviously the kids will be off from school ! What do working mums do ? I only do a few hours a week (part time) so paying for childcare isn’t an option for me as it’s more than what I actually earn! He is 8 yo.

redstapler it's heavily subsidised by the Sainsbury's charitable trust foundation.

@Guadalquivir19 ah thank you, that makes sense. Surprised it isn't means tested in some way in that case though.

I've known a few families that have got together and shared childcare in the summer holidays. 1 mum worked Mon-Wed so offered to help another who worked Thursday by having dd that day and friend had her dd on the Wednesday etc. This can work well especially if grandparents, family member or other parent can have some time off. Also knew a family were 6 parents each took a Friday off over the holidays and had their children and nieces/nephews to share the childcare. Also check out some church based holiday clubs. Where I live there are a few churches that run them 10-3 for 1 week at about £5 a day. Maybe a friend or family member could help then with the before and after bit.

I left him with my “mum” full time because I thought it was the best option at the time !(such a big big mistake !!)

Thank you everyone for the replies it’s starting to sound like sending him to “holiday clubs” is the best option for me ! I checked out the “Sainsbury’s active club thing but it is too far for me to travel (I don’t drive) xx thanks again

Holiday clubs are a possible option.

You mention you work part time? Can you buddy up with a couple of his friends parents and swap childcare. So you have Jane on Mondays because you are off that day and Jane's parents have your son on Fridays because they are off that day?

Is his dad around? Can he take some leave to share the load? Do you have any leave you can take to reduce costs?

I do feel for parents who don't work term time. Even though kids (and teachers!) always desperately need the break from busy school terms it must be difficult trying to juggle it without family help.

Holiday club for 2 weeks

holiday for 2

Grans (by the sea side) for 2!

We did holiday clubs from age 4-11. Then did some creative holiday planning when no holiday clubs from age 12. Took a week off together. Then DH stayed home a week. Sent DS to holiday camp for a week. I then took another week off. That left two weeks. DH worked from home 2 days a week. I worked from home one day a week. Grandma covered 1 day. And I don't work on the other day.

This year we've got a week holiday together, he's got two separate weeks of holiday camp. I've got a week holiday. Muddling through the remaining two weeks. Just found out that he doesn't go back til the Thursday rather than the Monday so firmly putting head in sand for now.

Good luck!