Day Care for Ages 13 and Up?

[Christine]

Originally posted by clh2
My DD, 10 will be doing a variety of day camps this summer. I personally don't find the $175 per week to be out of line.

Now I am going to ramble for a minute...are there any college age kids that would be able to provide any childcare services for you this summer? Maybe you could find one who could come over for 4 or 5 hours a day - or whatever it is that you feel most comfortable with. If you took the $175 for your daughter, and I am assuming you are spending the same for your son, that would be $350. I would assume that there would be a college student who would work for less than that over the course of a summer.

Actually, for this area $175-$200 for home daycare for an older child is WAY out of line. That is the rate for infants at one of "chain" daycare centers. For an older child, it is running about $145. My son's has a different day care provider that does not take kids over 12. Her rate for my son is $135 per week. Not bad, however, this is not a camp. It is daycare, she has infants there, and they don't get out much. The woman my DD goes to in the summer does not "claim" her income (on top of charging the top rate) so I never even got a tax break on the money I spent with her last summer. But, you know what, she is very good and my DD loves her, so it's not an issue. The issue really is that it is getting to the point that this is probably the last summer that she will be able to go there. Maybe next year, I'll be more comfortable letting her spend *some* time alone. Right now, with all the craziness going on, my kids are NEVER home alone. Nor do they want to be--yet!

As for the college student/older student--so far all the ones I've met are busy with activities/jobs. I had my friend's 16-year old who could do things "here and there" but she had so many summer activities going it wasn't a viable option that I could depend on. Seems to be the story with them all.

 

[snoopy]

$175 seems high to me too, Christine, and things are usually way more expensive here in D.C.

Another thing I wanted to add is try not to beat yourself up over the choices you've made. You've done what you have had to do, obviously, and the fact that you care enough about your daughter's welfare shows me that your intentions are good and that you are a good Mom for even caring.

Best of luck figuring this out. Do let us know if you come up w/an alternative -- it will be just a few years before we need to worry about this too.

 

[zurgswife]

I use a local 11/12th grader....it has worked out beautiful the past few years. She keeps my youngest 6 entertained but is also there if my older kids 12, 11, 10 need assistance....

I'm sure there is some responsible high schooler that would work out....It's early keep looking NOW...If your going to get lucky it would be at this time of year...

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
$175 a week? You better grab that!!

You are not kidding! The camp around here for my daughter is $3065 for 8 weeks...and its just a day camp, not sleep away!

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
You are not kidding! The camp around here for my daughter is $3065 for 8 weeks...and its just a day camp, not sleep away!

Camp is one thing--they are notoriously expensive because they are doing so many things with them, but home day care is usually not as high as camp because of the lack of activities. For $175-$200 she is watching TV in the morning and swimming in the afternoon in the backyard pool.

 

[the redhead]

I went to sleep away camp from the time I was 8 until I was 16. Then I did a summer long teen tour. It was great for my Mom, who worked full time. Perhaps you can try and take your child to meet with camp directors or local kids who have gone to camp and loved it. I know most camps send out a video showing all the fun thing you do while at camp, not to mention the great friends you make and the independance you learn being away from home for 8 weeks. I was homesick the first few weeks, but my parents left me there and I got over and and it turned out to be one of the best thing they ever did for me. When I have children, as soon as they turn 8 they are going to head off to sleep away camp. I can't wait for them to have the same (or similar) experience I had as a camper.

 

[zurgswife]

Last year I paid my high schooler $6 per hour...Because I work in my very small town, usually within a mile or so of my house...and the fact that my 12 yr old babysits....the high schooler didn't show up until 11am....My oldest was in charge until then.... So, she usually worked about 30hrs per week which calculates to $180 per week....so $175 for a

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Have you checked at school to see if they know of any after school activities?

I know my DS's school used to have vans going to various after school programs.

 

[chager]

Wow!!! I guess mom should have increased her rates to take care of the 2 boys she has had for 12 years. The oldest is 15 and still comes over if he doesn't have any after school activities. (Not very often now. Even his summer is pretty full, but he still comes on his free days) The 12 yr old comes everyday and mom transports him to and from school. She has ALWAYS charged $50/week for both kids. The 12 yr old could probably handle himself alone but the 15 yr old doesn't have any common sense! Neither can really stay at home during the day though due to neighbor issues. I just don't understand charging a high rate for an older child. They don't require near the effort of an infant, usually. I do think mom should charge maybe $100/week because of all the traveling between schools and the extras she does for the boys. (Lots of snacks, breakfast, trips to the zoo, COSI, waterparks, etc) The boys' mom deosn't realize how blessed she is. Wait until I "mention" how much other people pay for one child a week!!

 

[Hillbeans]

Christine,

First, I just want to tell you I think you're doing a great job. Don't beat yourself up over the choices you've made and the jobs to and your DH have. It sounds like you're doing the best you can do and your child seems healthy and well adjusted.

That being said, I think that price for a 13 year old is way out of line. I pay $490 a month for my 3 yo to go to daycare 3 days a week. Unfortunately, that age is a tough one. I remember being 13 and at that age, you walk a fine line between being good and being "curious" and getting into stuff.

I know you mentioned that where you live there aren't many programs, however maybe near where you work or your DH works, there are better programs. I know it seems as if sometimes the world is "against" parents who work because things can be so hard sometimes, but I really do think it can only make us stronger. I like the idea of a college student, and think that may be a great idea. I also think you should call any daycare's in your area and inquire if they know of anyone in your area who provides summer care. Sometimes word of mouth can really help.

Good luck to you. I'm sure in 10 years, i'll be in the same boat. I live in a very overpopulated area of NJ though, and it seems as if this area has many childcare options that unfortunately other towns do not.

 

[Christine]

Hillbeans,
Thanks. I think my biggest problem is that I *have* to be in a carpool and I *have* to be at work by a certain time. There really is no flexibilty there. There are actually several summer programs in my area that are offered by the public schools for select weeks in the summer. All of them start at 9:30 and end either at noon or 2:30. I can't accommodate either of those times for more than a day here or there. Also, they don't run all summer and then I run into the problem of what to do the other weeks. All the providers I've spoken with, including the woman Iwill be using, want a commitment for the summer. They don't want to hold weeks open for my daughter without getting paid. I truly WISH I could find a college student, but I can't. Maybe it's my area, but these college kids, high school students are BUSY! I've never had luck finding one.

Also, finding something close in to work, such as DC--well, nothing opens at 6:30!

Sometimes I do think the world is against working parents. Our local high schools offer special programs that kids can apply to go to a school out of jurisdiction. For instance, my DD wants to go to a school that is about 15 minutes from our house that specializes in the Fine Arts. They accept about 100 applicants in each grade and then she goes on a "track" with other Fine Arts kids. Really great program, but the parents are responsible for getting their kids to the school. There is no direct bus service. You can go to an "express bus stop" but you can't drop your kid off until 7:00. Doesn't work for all of us working parents who leave this area before 7:00 a.m. And let me tell you, living in a suburb 30 miles outside of DC, most of us leave between 5:30 and 6:30.