returning to work - childcare for older children.

[otpot]

I have been a SAHM for 14 years, and am thinking about returning to work - only because someone has actually approached me (I don't think they actually realise how much my brain has dissolved but hey ho). I feel I want to contribute financially, but what do you do with the children?? my two are 12 and 15 so too old for a childminder, and we don't really need or could afford a nanny. What do other people do for after school and holiday care?? I can't just leave them to it.

12 and 15 ought to be able to manage during the term time (my 12 & 9 let themsleves in, have a snack and start homework).

Holidays are a bit more tricky - surely a 15 year old would want to stay home but maybe the 12 year old would be better in a club for a year or so - or even just at a friends house.

Students who want to earn some holiday money are good for bridging the gap between childminder and being home alone. It's worked well with friends of ours, and it's what we're planning for next summer. Our kids are 12 and 9 and we feel they've outgrown cm and holiday clubs. At the age yours are they won't need or want direct supervision- its more a case of an adult being in the house on hand. Friends of ours last summer had a great girl of 21 who basically turned up at the house and got on with her dissertation for a couple of hours until the kids surfaced and then in the afternoon would do a cinema trip or shopping with them. The kids found it far more cool to hang out with a student than feeling they were being 'childminded' and the student earned much needed dosh- win win

Agree that term times shouldn't be an issue- surely at secondary age they already get to and from school independently? Just have some ground rules in place about cooking etc and they'll be fine for a couple of hours each end of the school day

My 11yo lets himself in after school, gets something to eat, does his homework, goes on the computer.

I am a teacher, so holidays are sorted.

IME older children tend to do holiday clubs based around sports such as football or tennis. Our local leisure centre offers multisports for children up to 14 yrs and costs about £15 a day

Agree with janey. I've known a few families who've gone with the student option. Works well in a city where it's easy to get around without a car, not so good in rural locations like ours.
One family with sons had a (male) French au pair for a couple of summers, which worked well - they could go up to the park and play football or basketball, plus do the cinema trips/games console tournaments etc.

Again, assuming they have a way to get home, they'll be fine for a couple of hours. I suppose after school clubs could be an issue, especially in the winter when it's dark.
But as an SAHM of 18 years' standing, I'd be pulling put the stops to go for it!

Pulling out the stops!

thanks, some useful pointers there. It sounds like the student route is best. In the unlikely event of me getting the job, I am just worried about not being there at the end of the day altho I suspect it might do my two some good!!

there's alway au pairs- if your children study a language at school (like french, for example) it could help them push their test scores up, plus you get a bit of light housework done!