“Stack” online classes<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nIf you have older kids who are comfortable using a computer, Forde suggests “stacking” online classes \u2014 aka, having kids take back-to-back online courses to fill chunks of time. While it’s not a viable option for the entire summer, it’s good for filling gaps, particularly when working from home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are amazing online programs for kids that can keep them engaged and learning something new for an hour or two at a time,” Forde says. “I’ve strategically stacked two classes, such as a piano class followed by a math lesson, for my kids back-to-back when I need added coverage.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Lots of availability. <\/li>
- Summer learning on a wide variety of topics from home. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost:<\/strong> Depending on the class and duration, prices vary widely. Camp Invention offers an online program \u2014 Camp Invention Connect \u2014 which costs $245 for a week of classes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes supplies for each day. Outschool offers a database of smaller-scale kids’ classes, including an Intro to Animation course that meets once a week for 55 minutes for five weeks and costs $160. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTips: <\/strong>Get kids involved in the process. They’re more likely to get excited \u2014 and stay put \u2014 when it’s a course they helped choose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n- Consider an au pair.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Au pairs hail from foreign regions and stay with families for an extended period. In exchange for lodging (and usually a small allowance), they help care for kids and do light housework. While summer-only au pairs aren’t an option due to the specific nature of the visa, once you’ve had an au pair for 12 months, you can select 6- or 9-month options after that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Last summer, we were in a bind, so we decided to try an au pair \u2014 best decision!” says Aimee Goldsmith, a mom of four in Greenwich, Connecticut. “I was nervous about having someone live with us \u2014 and worried she wouldn’t feel comfortable \u2014 but it was a unique relationship and helped us so much throughout the summer when my kids were off, but my husband and I were still working.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Convenient.<\/li>
- Personalized care. <\/li>
- Exposure to different cultures, languages and customs.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost:<\/strong> Finding an au pair without an agency is difficult and not advisable. In addition to matching “host families” with an au pair, the agency sponsors visas, covers training and offers au pair accident and sickness insurance, among other things. Prices vary, but for reference, the agency Au Pair in America requires an annual program fee of $9,275, a match fee of $475, and a minimum weekly stipend for au pairs of $195.75 (which is required across the country). <\/p>\n\n\n\nTips: <\/strong>After the initial fees, a weekly stipend of under $200 may not seem like a lot, but there are other costs to consider, including food, transportation and auto insurance if they drive your car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n- Work in a play-friendly environment<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Working while your kids play or do activities nearby is an option for some parents, especially if you can work remotely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If your child has reached the age and level of independence where you can get some work done while they play,” Forde suggests, “try setting up a series of play activities or bring art supplies and books.” You can try this setup at a local cafe, community center, or even at the playground if you have Wi-Fi or a portable hotspot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Free. <\/li>
- Works in a pinch. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips:<\/strong> Go prepared! Don’t expect your kids to sit quietly next to you while you work, especially if they’re little. Bring activities (preferably ones they’ve never seen before).<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Consider a hotel<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Yes, really. “A friend of mine paid for a membership at a local hotel for access to their pool and fitness center \u2014 largely because they provide child care,” Forde says. “If you live in an area where there are some larger hotels, you might find a similar option where, via membership, you can take your child to activities there or the on-site sitter while you can get work done.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are also hotels that offer ‘kids clubs’ and programming for hotel guests,” Forde continues. “Even if you don’t choose to stay, it can be worth the money to pay for a membership or hotel stay to access the child care coverage for a short stint in the summer.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Activities and socialization.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost:<\/strong> Prices vary, but the El Conquistador in Tucson, Arizona charges $45 for four hours of child care and $75 for eight hours (both include meals). You also need to pay for a room, which averages $155 to just under $200 per night in the summer months. Go in on the room with another working parent, and it gets more affordable. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTips:<\/strong> Book far in advance for availability and rate purposes if possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n- Build a hybrid summer care plan<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Combining various care options may be the setup that works best with your budget and schedule. This could mean taking part in a co-op a few mornings each week, signing up for two or three camps and filling in the blanks with a favorite babysitter. Or you might combine a half-day camp with a half-day nanny share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cost: <\/strong>Pick and choose care options based on your budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTips: <\/strong>Coordinating multiple care options requires advanced planning, so avoid winging it. Figure out what’s most important to you (such as participation in a particular camp or care at a consistent time), and then build your summer care plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBenefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Convenient.<\/li>
- Cost-effective and extremely efficient.<\/li>
- Socialization with at minimum the other children of yours.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost:<\/strong> In most settings, children’s care co-ops are free to the families that are part of it. Families who host children may have to budget for food or summer activities during their time of duty according to the conditions set by the co-op’s members.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTips:<\/strong> There’s a limit to the number of children an average parent can enjoy watching alone. This, along with the hours you’re willing to put into taking care of your child, could limit the amount of children’s care you can trust. This model’s effectiveness depends on consistent, clear communications between co-op members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Sign up for summer day camp<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
There are a variety of options from just only a few days up to the duration of the summer camp; summer day camps are a great option to keep kids entertained during the summer season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“School-aged children are at ease with their peers. Summer camp programs give them the chance to maintain their friendships throughout the summer season,” notes Donna Whittaker, the vice president of curriculum and education for Kiddie Academy of Stafford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Reliable care.<\/li>
- Social interaction.<\/li>
- Skills and activities that are age-appropriate, According to Whittaker, can help stop “learning loss” during summer.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost: Day camps can differ greatly, from expensive sailing camps to affordable day camps offered at your neighborhood YMCA and Parks and Recreation department. Based on the American Camp Association (ACA), the price for day camps is $178.49 per day in the current year. And for the sleep-away camp, that’s $448.53 per day. You might be eligible for an exemption from the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit when you need to go camping to work and when your children are younger than age 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips To Consider: If you’re not taking advantage of the early bird deals that can reduce costs for camps, ask about aid options for financial assistance or look into camp options that are free and low cost within your region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Enroll in daycare<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Find a daycare<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inscribing your child into the local daycare center is an excellent option to ensure continuous summer coverage that can boost their socialization and minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Young youngsters thrive in learning environments that offer engaging experiences, positive interactions and continuous learning and the daycare summer programs provide exactly this,” says Allison Wilson, the senior director of the curriculum and innovation department in the Stratford School. Stratford School. “Between reading and STEAM-related activities which bring stories to life, children can maintain their academic and social development by engaging in learning activities during the summer season.”.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Reliable care.<\/li>
- Social interaction.<\/li>
- Age-appropriate learning activities.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost in 2020: The cost of a single child at a daycare or care facility was around $340 per week and $300 per week for a family-friendly center — and the numbers continue to increase. You can reduce these costs by submitting the costs to the tax credit, similar to what you would apply to a summer camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips: Start looking before and then put your child on waitlists for multiple waiting lists. Priority will always be given to families who have returned, so searching for a daycare to provide your child with a place to stay can be difficult if you’re not enrolling throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- “Stack” online classes<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
If you have kids older who are comfortable with computers, Forde suggests “stacking” online classes — or having them take back-to-back online courses to fill up chunks of time. Although it’s not an ideal alternative for all summer, it’s great to fill in the gaps, especially when you work at your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are some amazing online programs for kids that will keep them occupied and engaged for a couple of hours simultaneously,” Forde says. “I’ve carefully stacked two classes, for instance, the piano class with a maths lesson with my children when I require more coverage. .”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- A wide range of options.<\/li>
- Learning during the summer on a broad range of subjects from the comfort of your home.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost depending on the course and length, costs can vary. Camp Invention offers an online program called Camp Invention Connect — costing $245 for a full week of classes from 9 a.m. until two p.m. It also includes the necessary materials for every day. Outschool has a database of children’s classes that you can choose from, including one Intro to Animation course, offered once per week for an hour for five weeks. It costs $160.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips:<\/strong> Engage your kids throughout the course. They’re more likely exuberant — and stick around — if it’s the course they were able to choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n- Consider an au pair.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Au pairs come from various regions and can stay in families for an extended time. In exchange for accommodation (and generally a modest allowance), they care for their children and help with chores around the house. Au pairs who are only available during summer aren’t a possibility due to the visa requirements. After having the au pair of 12 months, you can choose between 6- and 9-month options in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Last summer, we were caught in a dilemma and decided to go with an au pair — the best choice!” says Aimee Goldsmith, mother of four children in Greenwich, Connecticut. “I was apprehensive about having someone living with us and was worried that she would not feel at home, but it was an amazing relationship that was a huge help during the summer months while my kids were away; however, my husband and I were doing our jobs. .”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Convenient.<\/li>
- Personalized care.<\/li>
- Experimentation with diverse languages, different cultures as well as customs.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cost:<\/strong> Finding an au pair that isn’t through an agency is difficult and probably not the best option. Apart from pairing “host family members” with au pairs, the agency provides visas, offers training, and provides accident and sickness coverage, in addition to other things. The costs vary, but for information, this agency, Au Pair in America, requires an annual fee of $9,275, a match fee of $475, and an average weekly stipend for the au pair of $195.75 (which is mandatory in all states).<\/p>\n\n\n\nTips: After paying the initial cost, an average daily stipend of less than $200 might not seem like an amount. However, additional expenses are to be considered, like transportation, food and insurance if they operate your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Play in a fun environment<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
For certain parents, working while your kids play or participate in things together is an option, especially if you can work from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If your child is at the age and degree of independence that allows you to get some work done while playing,” Forde suggests, “try making play-based activities or bring art equipment along with books.” You could try this idea at a local caf\u00e9 or community space and on the playground if you have Wi-Fi or an internet-connected device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n