Trying to Navigate Post-Camp, Pre-School Gauntlet

Let the patchwork quilt of childcare begin.

You all know what I’m talking about: those few weeks between the end of camp and the beginning of school when working parents everywhere scramble to find coverage for their kids? We can’t all take two weeks off, but at the same time, an interim camp would set you back about $12,000. Unless you have a preschool-age child who has full-time daycare regardless of the season, then you’re in the same boat I am.

And every Aug. 15, I find myself bailing that boat out. With a Dixie cup.

This year, of course, is no different. One would think that I’d have learned my lesson by now but for some reason I just can’t seem to get ahead of this annual end-of-summer dilemma. Two weeks ago, Andy looked at me and with fear in his eyes said, “We really have to figure this out, Alex. Soon.” As is our custom, we went into crisis mode and broke out the calendars.

We are so lucky that his parents love to have the kids visit them at their New Hampshire lake house WITHOUT us there. The kids look forward to this three-day visit (who wouldn’t, when you swim eight hours a day and get spoiled rotten the rest of the time?) and it helps us out immensely.

Three days down, seven to go.

One day was already spent catching up on summer reading, doing some writing for a “Best Street in Dedham” contest on Dedham Rocks and then capped off with a little pool time at . One day will be chewed up hanging with neighborhood friends and visiting my aunt in Taunton for lunch.

Halfway there.

We’ll hit the movies one day next week, which should leave a morning and afternoon open. I’ll take one day off and ferry whatever kids are around to the beach for a little (more) swimming and some serious sand time.

I’m thinking of having my children host some of their friends for a little Wii Olympics and other backyard games (Baggo, Frisbee and even Bocce come to mind and can satisfy a multitude of ages and both boys and girls alike).

And that, my friends, is where I stop.

At 10 and 6, the kids are pretty self-sufficient but still come to me every so often (as I sit at my office desk working) and ask, “I’m bored, what can I do?” This is the downside of having two months of activity-filled summer camp. I’ve explained to them that they need to figure it out and be creative, as that’s what I did as a kid.

We are lucky to live in a town where there are friends and activities and other working parents in the same situation who are ready to lend a hand. We’ll be on the lookout for something to fill those last few days and considering that no matter how hard I try to sell “More reading! More Math!” I might need a backup plan.

Just today, Ben showed me a pair of sneakers that he “designed” online and would only set me back $112. Hmmm… something tells me that a very expensive lemonade stand is in his near future.

Provided that summer reading book is right next to the till.