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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>5-Month School /Vacation/
31YearsInBiz 09:58 AM 03-27-2020
How is everyone feeling about this extended /vacation/ time for school-age kids? Specifically, the older ones that are at or near the age to be able to stay home but not mature or responsible enough yet. I find it harder to keep older kids busy and entertained in a multi-age family childcare setting.
Blackcat31 10:00 AM 03-27-2020
Originally Posted by 31YearsInBiz:
How is everyone feeling about this extended /vacation/ time for school-age kids? Specifically, the older ones that are at or near the age to be able to stay home but not mature or responsible enough yet. I find it harder to keep older kids busy and entertained in a multi-age family childcare setting.
I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason. How is everyone feeling about this extended /vacation/ time for school-age kids? Specifically, the older ones that are at or near the age to be able to stay home but not mature or responsible enough yet. I find it harder to keep older kids busy and entertained in a multi-age family childcare setting.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.
Valerie928 10:07 AM 03-27-2020
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.
I stopped taking school agers 2 years ago. There was nothing enjoyable about it.I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.
Cat Herder 10:13 AM 03-27-2020
I don't take them either. It is just not worth the money for the stress and resources in a small home setting with infants and toddlers. 
The local big centers have that down, though.
They have gymnasiums, running tracks, soccer fields and tennis courts. We are not short of options for those parents, locally. 
The local big centers have that down, though.
They have gymnasiums, running tracks, soccer fields and tennis courts. We are not short of options for those parents, locally.
31YearsInBiz 10:15 AM 03-27-2020
I live in the boonies, small town, not a huge demand for DC. So I've never had the luxury of picking and choosing.
Before all this chaos, I was sitting nicely with all after school kids (none before) and 1 child coming all day Thurs and Fri. So essentially, I was working 2 hours a day except for Thurs and Fri--was so nice.
But you're right, those 2 hours were always high stress, and I really hated snow days. Now it's 11 hours every day for 5 months......wah.
Before all this chaos, I was sitting nicely with all after school kids (none before) and 1 child coming all day Thurs and Fri. So essentially, I was working 2 hours a day except for Thurs and Fri--was so nice.
But you're right, those 2 hours were always high stress, and I really hated snow days. Now it's 11 hours every day for 5 months......wah.
Cat Herder 10:17 AM 03-27-2020
Originally Posted by 31YearsInBiz:
I live in the boonies, small town, not a huge demand for DC. So I've never had the luxury of picking and choosing.
Before all this chaos, I was sitting nicely with all after school kids (none before) and 1 child coming all day Thurs and Fri. So essentially, I was working 2 hours a day except for Thurs and Fri--was so nice.
But you're right, those 2 hours were always high stress, and I really hated snow days. Now it's 11 hours every day for 5 months......wah.
Do you live close to a state park, skating rink or lake? That is how I survived it back in the day. I live in the boonies, small town, not a huge demand for DC. So I've never had the luxury of picking and choosing.
Before all this chaos, I was sitting nicely with all after school kids (none before) and 1 child coming all day Thurs and Fri. So essentially, I was working 2 hours a day except for Thurs and Fri--was so nice.
But you're right, those 2 hours were always high stress, and I really hated snow days. Now it's 11 hours every day for 5 months......wah.
Badmitten, corn hole, sprinklers and water paint helped, too.
31YearsInBiz 11:00 AM 03-27-2020
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Do you live close to a state park, skating rink or lake? That is how I survived it back in the day. Badmitten, corn hole, sprinklers and water paint helped, too.
Yes, but the regulations in my state would require me to have a lifeguard certification, and I'd have to have biannual transportation training. Also, I would have to have a vehicle that I could stuff them all into, car seats, booster seats, and so on......Do you live close to a state park, skating rink or lake? That is how I survived it back in the day.
Badmitten, corn hole, sprinklers and water paint helped, too.
Gemma 10:34 AM 03-27-2020
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.
This is me too!I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.
Annalee 10:40 AM 03-27-2020
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.
Same here!!!!I stopped taking kids once they enter school a LONG time ago for that reason.
Never been happier..... so much less stress.
No amount of money would be worth taking them again.