Anyone know what I can do with my 8yr old for the summer. He attends before/after school care at the same daycare with my 16mos old, but summer camp fees are outrageous! I just recently became a single mom and need some suggestions! What are suggestions for leaving him home by himself? Is this acceptable by law? He's a very responsible child and knows what he is supposed to do and not do? Suggestions/thoughts, please?
Not sure where you live but as another post said, the parks & rec depts. usually have affordable summer day camp programs. Also, if you live/work near the Salvation Army in Irving, Ft. Worth or Pleasant Grove they have wonderful summer day camp programs in their community centers(and it's not just for homeless people) it is truly quality affordable care. If you would like more information on them I would be more than happy to help you. HTH
I wouldn't leave him alone, he's too young.
Maybe find another mom to trade with, as the other poster suggested. Or if you job allows it, bring him into work for part of the day.
Also, Park & Rec depts usually have some low cost programs for out-of-school kids. Maybe you could get him into one of those programs. Maybe Summer School? Did you ask your school? Even if he's doing great, but is at risk of falling behind, they might have a program for him in Summer School.
Good luck, I can't imagine how hard it must be for you.
look under activities & lessons under Summer camps for some possible options.
I agree with the other ladies: 8 years old is too young.
I have a son who just turned 9 and I would not leave him home alone during the day. Last summer, he and my then 12 year old stayed home alone together. That worked b/c of my older child being there.
For a few days this school year, before I returned to being a SAHM, he had to walk home from school by himself and come home until my 12 year old came home. He was very good about calling us to let us know he was home but even then I wasn't real sure about it.
An entire day without supervision is too much, in my opinion, for a child that young. Even though they can be very responsible, if something out of the ordinary happens, they will make 8 year old decisions. That is what worries me.
Maybe you can partner with another mom who lives in your area with a child the same age and stays home during the day. I know that summer daycare can be expensive for that age group.
Not sure where you work, but our outdoor summer day camps on Lake Grapevine would be a blast for your son - www.AdventureTeamKids.com
I work with single moms and those with financial hardships with camp tuitions - as long as I have openings (we take up to 40 campers per week and go from June 2nd-Aug 22nd) I can discount the fees to what you can afford. I've been there before and know what it's like.
From Arlington, you'd come into Grapevine on 360 and take 114 west towards Grapevine/Southlake. You take the Kimball Rd exit, turn right, go through 1 stop sign at Dove, and enter Meadowmere Park on your left. Follow the park road around until you basically dead end into our 40x40 white pavillion tent.
Activities include archery, target shooting, kayaking, fishing, swimming, our water slide, nature walks, orienteering, arts and craft projects, and more.
I have some campers attend all 12 weeks and other for only a few days...so we are extremely flexible on your needs. Feeel free to give me a call as well - ###-###-####.
