I'm a teacher- should I send my kids to daycare over the summer

[peinefam4]

So here's the deal. I have to pay for daycare over the summer. She is willing to let us drop down to part time, so should I start looking for a summer job part time? Or should we just be out the money and not send them at all? I am so torn because I want to spend time with them, but on the other hand I think it might be good for them to go a few days a week to keep in a routine, and it won't be as hard in August when they return. One more year and I think I will be able to stay at home and we won't have to worry about this! YEAH!

[escapethevillage]

I don't think it makes a huge difference either way. On one hand, it's nice for the provider to have a full group, as it makes the days easier. It also gives you some time to do something you never get to do. Like take a class, join a gym, clean your house with no kids in there. It also breaks up the summer for the kids.

On the other hand, you can't put a price on sleeping in every day, and enjoying the long summer days with nowhere to be.

I live in Phoenix, so the weather is NOT fun....there IS nothing to do all summer. NOTHING. You can't while away a phoenix summer by playing for hours outside. So, if you have weather like we have, yes...send them a few days a week.

[aylasmommy]

I know my dd can't stand more than a few days without playing with her friends. I say let them go a few days a week.

[Spicymustard]

I keep my kids home during the summer.

[TrennaII]

If you have to pay for it no matter what, it sounds like it could be good for you and good for them! Last summer my son started daycare before I had a job, and it was a great time for me to get a lot done and take care of me, so our family time was more family-focused. It was also SO good for him to play and learn. Daycare offers him many opportunities I cannot!

[stevensmom]

if you have to pay for it anyways...then I'd send them a couple of days a week. Gives you both a break. He gets to play with his friends. And you can run errands without a child in tow.

[ulawolf]

Originally Posted by peinefam4 So here's the deal. I have to pay for daycare over the summer. She is willing to let us drop down to part time, so should I start looking for a summer job part time? Or should we just be out the money and not send them at all? I am so torn because I want to spend time with them, but on the other hand I think it might be good for them to go a few days a week to keep in a routine, and it won't be as hard in August when they return. One more year and I think I will be able to stay at home and we won't have to worry about this! YEAH!

I would find a new day care? I have never heard of day cares doing that here. They are very accommodating to teachers.

[stevensmom]

yep...I know a lot of people that do only teacher kids so they too can have school holidays and summers off

thats what I plan on doing if I go into home daycare

[kts1120]

I would send them if you are paying for it. Im a teacher also and we pay by the month for preschool. So I have to pay for all of June and August even though I only need about 10 days or so. Last June I purged and cleaned all the bedrooms and closets. My 4 year old was bored by like day 2 of summer! You could also send 1 and not the other on certain days and let them have some special time with mommy.

[jessica377]

We have the same thing...have to pay for 15 hours in summer. I plan to use the time for errands and cleaning. She'll get time with her friends and it won't be so shocking to go back in fall. Also we will have more family time since we do a lot of this stuff on weekends during the year. Win win!