To consider half day summer camp even though I have the summer off?

[TooIntrovert]

That's it really...I can't decide what to do!
I'm thinking a half day 3-4 days a week.

Factors for:

Am a single parent so would give me 2.5 hours 'me time' to cook, exercise, clean, straighten house up etc....but mainly time to be on my own for a bit.

At the moment I get zero time to do anything other than work and child so it would be good to have some time to get other house projects done like a big toy declutter, buying and putting together some furniture (we currently just have beds!) etc.

My son is really not great at spending time on his own, eg even at a playground he doesn't just "run off and play" but needs me near him. So I find it really hard to get down time unless he's with someone else, and I feel 6 weeks is a lot.

I really burnt out last summer and became the type of parent I never wanted to be. But I was also working part time whereas this time I've managed to get the time off (unpaid).

My period is really really painful so for at least 2-3 days of the summer I'd be totally useless.

Factors against:

Son would be in between preschool and school. Preschool is small (12 kids) with a high staff:student ratio. A camp might be a bit much at this age / a bit of a culture shock?

The only places my son is comfortable leaving him without me there is parents house and preschool. I'm worried he'll find a new situation too anxiety inducing for me to leave him.

My parents are only 20 mins away to help if I want "me time".

Son's dad will be around some days - but he is not reliable in terms of timing and enthusiasm etc...I'm sure I'll get some me time though...

Son tends to stick to the adults at his preschool as due to speech impediment and other SEN is unsure how to make friends with kids. I think a camp is unlikely to offer this level of adult attention (which could be a good thing but could back fire).

What about keeping days free for day trips to zoo, beach, London etc?

Are you talking about one half day a week?

Hmm I was with you until I read the cons. I’m not totally sure he’d like it. But you are important too.

Sorry no I'm thinking 3-4 half days. I don't think he'd settle in and get anything meaningful out of it if it was only once a week.
Updated to make it clearer.

Yeh, this is what I'm worried about.

I think it sounds ideal for you and will hopefully bring his confidence on. You'll be demented trying to entertain him full time all summer (or I would be 🤣)

I think it is definitely worth a try. Worst case scenario, he doesn't enjoy it and you take him out.

Fingers crossed he does enjoy it!

I was also thinking 'of course!' until I read some of the cons. My DS is in Reception and loved holiday club at Easter but it was at his school, some of his friends were there and at least one of the staff also runs clubs at school so he knew them already. I don't know if I would have wanted to send him someone completely new (but I am very overprotective). I do agree that something would be good though - the holidays are very very long if you don't have some downtime and breaks too. Could be stay with your parents for a couple of days at a time?

I wouldnt, with that cons list.
I work term time and have an almost 5 year old, so I do understand how daunting the summer can seem though!!

No. The cons mean it’s unlikely to work for him, which would leave you with a distressed DC.
Could your parents mind him a day a week maybe?

I think he's too young. Lots don't take them to 5yo for a reason.
Next summer, yes.

He is a bit young. How much time can your parents have him without it being a piss take?

We run holiday camps (forest type stuff) and do take from the summer they are about to start school but I would say that it only really suits the super confidant younger ones, the rest take a lot of (kind) pushing through the day. I would say based on your cons list that I would wait until next summer at least so he’s done a year at school

I've not seen any that take under 5, they tend to be full on

I'd do it. I have a SEN child also, and I'm a better mum when I get some time to myself. My parents are elderly and don't help as often as they'd like (very understandable) and my child's father has nothing to do with her. If you can carve out some time for you, your child will reap the benefit, too. X

I think he is too young. In a few years, if he wants to do it, then I would reconsider.

DS stayed at his nursery/pre school two days a week over the summer before reception, is that an option? For us it was for work, but fine to do it so you can get other things done. I also think half days by the time you've dropped off you're picking up again, better to do 1 or 2 full days. I think there are too many cons for the holiday club at his age though, with his needs. Will your parents take him one full day a week just for the summer?

I think you should do it but have a plan B if it turns out to be terrible.

No, he's too young and wouldn't be fair on him.

end of the summer holidays i would be knacked.
i think a week might be good for him and you

Thanks! Money is tight and so I'm worried about the sunk cost of this is where we end up

I really wise we could! But his preschool is term time only.
I suppose I could find a nursery that could take him for a few weeks, might be less daunting for him.

I think they'd be very happy to do lots of childcare...but I would want a plan B just in case as otherwise all my eggs are in that one basket. Also, for my own conscience I would ask for help 2 mornings or one full day and one morning I think.
And then not all of the time is "mine" unless I am really strict about dropping him off and ignoring them and going off to do my own thing.