Working from home, can't afford camp

amother

OP ↓

Fri, Jun 07 2024, 7:01 pm

I work from home at a part time flexible job, which I know makes me very fortunate - most of the time. This summer, we absolutely cannot afford day camp for all of our kids, so my younger kids, ages 5, 3, and 1, will be staying home most of the summer. I will need to run Mommy camp every day, then frantically cram in work in the late afternoons and evenings, when I am exhausted from a day of running after them in the heat.
We did this last summer as well, but my baby wasn't mobile yet so this year is likely to be even harder. Just the thought of it makes me want to, like, maybe jump off a bridge, or maybe quit my job which would be almost equally suicidal.

amother

Saddlebrown

Fri, Jun 07 2024, 7:03 pm

That sounds really challenging. Is there any option of a round robin group or sharing with one other mother so you would some days to work with kids out ?

amother

Tan ↓

Fri, Jun 07 2024, 7:04 pm

What about if you wake up early and work before you go out? You can buy a new toy for the kids to play with then, or let them have screen time. It will also make your day shorter.

amother

Chestnut ↓

Fri, Jun 07 2024, 7:04 pm

Can you hire a high school kid to watch them in the park for 2-3 hours 2-3 times a week? I can’t see myself staying sane with such an arrangement. I can take care of three kids but not while also trying to work.

21young

Fri, Jun 07 2024, 7:11 pm

This is what I did during Covid and it didn’t work. A few weeks in and I was going on no sleep and losing my mind. If your job is making enough to cover childcare for 2 of the 3 I would do that and scrimp in other areas. Don’t do this, it’s not sustainable.

amother

Aster ↓

Sat, Jun 08 2024, 10:36 pm

Assuming your little one takes a decent after lunch nap:
9-12 take kids somewhere. Feed lunch. Set the older 2 up with a special activity or try to arrange a playdate exchange with a friend for this time. Put baby for nap. Squeeze in an hour or two of work. 3-dinner- outdoor play.

amother

Waterlily ↓

Sat, Jun 08 2024, 10:43 pm

Sounds close to impossible without someone else helping you especially so you can work.
Hatzlacha!

amother

Hydrangea

Sat, Jun 08 2024, 10:46 pm

OP hugs been there, can you ask the day camps for a break? ask your Rav to assist? sign up for local camp scholarships? I had this when my kids were younger and I ended up getting a job in the camp to pay for camp it was a win win. Since you have a regular job it's harder to pull off. What about paid family leave if it's available where you are?

I have worked from home from different time zones, sometimes I work early morning, late night, and it works sometimes but I don't think it's sustainable for an entire Summer.

Can you switch off with your DH? Ask a friend to help out? A bubby in your neighborhood?

amother

Peach

Sat, Jun 08 2024, 10:48 pm

I don’t think it’s impossible but it depends on how part time and flexible your job is. 10 hours? 20 hours? 30 hours?

amother

Opal

Sat, Jun 08 2024, 10:58 pm

It sounds like if you could send the oldest or youngest to camp that would make a big difference.

amother

Oatmeal

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 12:11 am

I have a similar situation and decided to send my 1 yr old out to a babysitter for 4 hours a day. The amount I'm paying per month is less than a week of day camp for the other two kids.
Maybe look into something like this

ddmom

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 2:09 am

When baby naps, set up older kids with an activity and try to work a little.
In my house, I would set up kids in playroom and work at kitchen table so I can keep an eye/ear on them.
A high school girl for a couple of hours a day is a good idea, much cheaper than daycamp!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:29 am

So to clarify -
- my DH is going to take care of the kids late afternoon/suppertime, while I work. It's just hard because I will be exhausted at that point.
-I have school age kids too, and they are going to camp.
-I priced a babysitter for my baby. The cheapest option is $550 per half.

amother

Jasmine

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:36 am

Ha.
In Israel everyone deals with this. Kids of all ages are home all July and August. Camp doesn’t exist.
(PSA something to consider before doing Aliyah)

amother

↑ Chestnut

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:40 am

amother Jasmine wrote:

Ha.
In Israel everyone deals with this. Kids of all ages are home all July and August. Camp doesn’t exist.
(PSA something to consider before doing Aliyah)

Do they also work while trying to take care of kids all day?

amother

Bergamot

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:40 am

amother OP wrote:

What about a mother's helper for two hours in the morning a few days a week? Is that financially possible? Even a young girl of 9-12 could play with the kids to give you a bit of a break.

amother

Rainbow

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:44 am

amother Jasmine wrote:

Ha.
In Israel everyone deals with this. Kids of all ages are home all July and August. Camp doesn’t exist.
(PSA something to consider before doing Aliyah)

Irrelevant.
Every country has its own problems due to climate, logistics, infrastructures and culture, and living necessities.

(In general, daycare in Israel is second to none. It is free.)
That being said you will never understand our difficulties unless you live it (and if course the same goes the other way around).

amother

Ivory

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:48 am

Is there an indoor play place that has membership you can sit at a table and work a lil while the kids play ?

amother

↑ Waterlily ↓

Sun, Jun 09 2024, 9:48 am

amother OP wrote:

Ooo ok so I have the similar situation can’t afford camp also working late afternoons, but my oldest is 3 so a little easier. And Dh is watching them at night
Backyard playtime swings/riding toys, art activities, snacks, park or library, even the grocery store and buying ice cream is an activity, a neighbors pool occasionally.