I’m not sure @LoneParent1 meant the comment about guilt as a jibe, I read it simply as a question? I DO feel some guilt - I’m 5 years in to using these clubs and it’s a stressor for me. It always seems like other parents have ‘magic’ jobs that enable them to work AND have huge amounts of time off plus ‘magic’ relatives who pop up to help out. Often my child has known no one and the other kids have all known each other OR there is no one his age. I have tried to coordinate with other parents but it’s not like you get a list of opportunities all printed out on a piece of paper to hmm and hah over. The reality is that clubs confirm whether they are running at different times and may fill up quickly. Some parents have ‘semi-magic’ jobs and/or ‘semi-magic’ relatives so can make camps with short days. I haven’t discovered how they do that so I’m committed to longer days and absolutely need the childcare, as I have no other options, so I can’t risk losing a place whilst another parent makes their mind up.
Back to the guilt, I’m mindful that the alternative, lounging at home, can lose its attraction quite quickly too! For the odd inset day I set up some
activities and telly and work
from home but it’s not good for longer at his age and with his temperament. Now my DS is older I also explain to him why I work, what the situation is with holiday allowance, what the options for clubs are. He can understand that and I’m pleased he appreciates the reality of life however, I also see that entering new situations or situations that are sub-optimum, does impact him; it would impact me in that scenario too!