How to explain to kids suspending their activities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who will take care of them if you are still working in the summer? It's hard to find last minute slots if camp

We work from home. The 8 year old is going to have to mind the 5 year old. And honestly, even if we are still working in the summer, I'm not sure we are going to be out of the woods.

The 8 yr old being in charge of the 5 yr old? Are you mad?! This is a recipe for disaster on so many levels. So you'll let the 8 yr old decide on discipline? And what happens when you disagree and challenge her authority? What happens when she gives up or gets bored because she's 8 and that's a ridiculous burden to place on an 8 yr old? What happens when she forgets the 5 yr old or makes a judgement call that's unsafe and the 5 yr old gets hurt? YOU will be responsible to the law, not the 8 yr old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who will take care of them if you are still working in the summer? It's hard to find last minute slots if camp

We work from home. The 8 year old is going to have to mind the 5 year old. And honestly, even if we are still working in the summer, I'm not sure we are going to be out of the woods.

The 8 yr old being in charge of the 5 yr old? Are you mad?! This is a recipe for disaster on so many levels. So you'll let the 8 yr old decide on discipline? And what happens when you disagree and challenge her authority? What happens when she gives up or gets bored because she's 8 and that's a ridiculous burden to place on an 8 yr old? What happens when she forgets the 5 yr old or makes a judgement call that's unsafe and the 5 yr old gets hurt? YOU will be responsible to the law, not the 8 yr old.

I agree- I think you’re going to need to get a sitter, but I get that you’re preparing for at least one unemployed parent. Just don’t lose those jobs bc u are being penny wise and pound foolish- you can’t work and entertain a 5 year old!

[Anonymous]

We didn’t have a ton of money for those things when our kids were young but I never said that. I just planned for fun inexpensive summer activities with a few highlights scattered throughout. I didn’t explain the financial piece at that age as it seemed unnecessary. For example, my son loved to play baseball. We did one week of Nats camp which was in his mind a dream experience. We did one week of an inexpensive beach vacation with extended family. Those were the highlights. In between, we planned special outing days a few times a week that were free or low cost: Air & Space, the Zoo, Frying Pan Park, berry picking, playgrounds, etc. We also went to a few baseball games throughout thanks to gifted tickets (but cheap seats are easy to find). In the evenings we did some outdoor concerts as a family where we had a picnic. We also did fires in the firepit and went to the pool. My kids look back on their summers fondly. When they got older and wanted to do expensive things (travel, sleepover camps, etc) it was different. We did explain budget constraints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who will take care of them if you are still working in the summer? It's hard to find last minute slots if camp

We work from home. The 8 year old is going to have to mind the 5 year old. And honestly, even if we are still working in the summer, I'm not sure we are going to be out of the woods.

The 8 yr old being in charge of the 5 yr old? Are you mad?! This is a recipe for disaster on so many levels. So you'll let the 8 yr old decide on discipline? And what happens when you disagree and challenge her authority? What happens when she gives up or gets bored because she's 8 and that's a ridiculous burden to place on an 8 yr old? What happens when she forgets the 5 yr old or makes a judgement call that's unsafe and the 5 yr old gets hurt? YOU will be responsible to the law, not the 8 yr old.

Agree with this. Potential to scar one or both of them for life (5 year old runs into the street and gets hit by a car, or otherwise seriously injured)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who will take care of them if you are still working in the summer? It's hard to find last minute slots if camp

We work from home. The 8 year old is going to have to mind the 5 year old. And honestly, even if we are still working in the summer, I'm not sure we are going to be out of the woods.

This is a terrible plan.

[Anonymous]

I just dropped swim and tae kwon do. I said, “we’re taking a break from swim and tae kwon do right now, but we can go back later.” Done. I am switching from some expensive camps to less expensive ones, and she already knew about the expensive ones, so that will require more conversation. I will probably tell her it’s not in our budget right now. She is very aware that Trump is firing me.

[Anonymous]

^^ Perhaps you can explain to your child that the country is 36 TRILLION $ in debt and everyone has to do their part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop responding to the troll people.

I have lived this situation and many people are about to have the same experience.

You’re a troll. Go away.

The situation is not false but this OP is certainly a troll mocking all of you. Re-read

until we see whether all of this cruel senseless destruction of people lives and the economy stops.

We work from home. The 8 year old is going to have to mind the 5 year old.

And on the off chance I am wrong, way to go OP proving everyone right about lazy Feds. “Working” from home while watching two young kids is a recipe for success.

[Anonymous]

So you are still getting paid and now you want to rob people who you are paying off their income? Bravo!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who will take care of them if you are still working in the summer? It's hard to find last minute slots if camp

We work from home. The 8 year old is going to have to mind the 5 year old. And honestly, even if we are still working in the summer, I'm not sure we are going to be out of the woods.

I did this as an 8 year old watching my younger brother. We were immigrants and my parents worked around the clock. We were good kids but it felt like we were abandoned.
I remember my brother bringing me a pill he found somewhere to ask if it was an M&M. I took a little nibble only to find out it was a pill. There were a lot of other stories I could tell you but I did the best I could. To this day, my parents don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don’t have the money for extras right now.
We have money for our house, food etc. but we’re taking a break from spending so we can save up.

Tell them about things you’ll do instead. Picnics, hikes, check out new playgrounds etc….

This. I actually think 5 is too young to tell this too, just don’t do the activities. 8 is borderline.

This. I’m a teacher and some parents tell their kids WAY too much and the kids come to school all worried.

[Anonymous]

I don't get it. If you still have jobs, you will still need to find something for your kids to do while you work. Keep the summer camps and cut back on other things (groceries, clothes, gym, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My spouse and I are federal contractors and our companies have lost many contracts and laid people off. We have decided that we want to cancel our kids extracurricular activities and summer camp until we see whether all of this cruel senseless destruction of people lives and the economy stops. How best to explain this to a 5 and 8 year old without making them nervous?

Plainly. They will be anxious. It is what it is.

They can play in the back yard and drink from the hose.

[Anonymous]

You are disgusting OP

[Anonymous]

Good old DCUM. Where everyone is making $300k, but has no money saved.