How young to leave alone next school year?

[Anonymous]

Even if you aren't religious look into churches. Some have "Moms Day Out" programs that are usually half day like 9:30am-1:30pm for $25/day. If you could find something like that for your 6yo, I'd feel comfortable having them at home with the 10yo for the remainder of the day.

What about a mom trying to WFH with toddler(s)? Maybe she'd have your two over to "gain babysitting experience" and yours could entertain hers as a trade off.

Can you find a 13-15yo thats distance learning and pay them like $8/hr for half days to ride their bike over and play with your kids?

An elderly neighbor looking for a purpose? Maybe you could also find this through a church.

[Anonymous]

if I was local to DC still I'd love to have yours come play in my yard with my 3yo and keep her busy with water table, bubbles, chalk, obstacle course, etc while I work from my dining room and supervise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:E

What about a mom trying to WFH with toddler(s)? Maybe she'd have your two over to "gain babysitting experience" and yours could entertain hers as a trade off.
.

Or another 6 year old from your child's class. 10 year old could help the two 6s do distance learning then could supervise play. WFH mom could be there for emergencies?

I agree with church list servs. With that ages even someone elderly who wouldn't entertain them or help with school work but could keep an eye out.

You aren't alone.

[Anonymous]

You are all so kind. I have tears in my eyes. It has been a hard last three years. Well, honestly longer but I still tried to slap a smile on my face and cover up the bubbling mental health issues. Finally it all boiled over and I found myself with a 3 year old and seven year old all alone.

We live near the Hybla Valley. I work 25 min away. We rent so we can always move, but as you can imagine my credit isn’t great currently so we are in a complex that allowed for that. I am an office admin in a real estate office so they are requiring I come in to do the in office tasks (mail, receive packages, make copies). I work until 4 which was great for kids, until, well COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How young is too young to be alone while a parents works out of the home? I have a 10 and 6 year old and after trying tirelessly to find cheap options/ neighbors/ anything to help during the day, I am at a loss. Do I feel comfortable? No. But I need my job.

12/middle school. That is neglect.

[Anonymous]

We are in a major economic crisis - I am sure you can find someone - a teen who is doing DL or who ends school before yours do and is not doing sports because of the pandemic, or a nanny whose hours have been cut or SAHM whose DH got laid off. I'm sure you will be able to find something! Sorry this is so stressful.

[Anonymous]

Could any of these work:

Work from home 2-3 days a week, swap childcare with another mom doing the same?

Move in with another single mom or with extended family, trade off childcare?

Work in the office some evenings and bring the kids to work with you?

Hire a neighborhood 15-16 year old?

Find an elderly neighbor, have the kids go there and bring her food and you clean her apartment on weekends?

I'd email list servs and start talking to everyone I know. I'm sure there are a lot of people in your same situation who don't know what to do this year.

Also, check with your bosses--maybe there's a way to shift your position to give you more flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Definitely contact the churches in your area. And the parents from your 6 yr old’s classes.

If worst came to worse, can you bring the kids to work with you or find a babysitter near work?

I’m so sorry you’re in this position, OP. It’s so wrong that so many of our hardworking Americans are in this position with no help from our government.

[Anonymous]

Can you afford a nanny who brings her own kids to your house? Probably be about $10 to $15 an hour?

[Anonymous]

Unless you live in DC, you can leave the 10 year old.

[Anonymous]

VA does not actually have a legal minimum age requirment for being home alone. Different counties have guidelines.

[Anonymous]

is there a ymca or boys and girls club near you?

[Anonymous]

Have you seen any other women with kids in the complex? I used to live in that area as a single parent. I’d put up ads asking other moms if they can babysit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you seen any other women with kids in the complex? I used to live in that area as a single parent. I’d put up ads asking other moms if they can babysit.

+1. I bet you could find one or two willing to trade off with you for some peace on the weekends.

[Anonymous]

If you need to stretch on babysitter money, could you reach out to a food bank, and move your grocery dollars to childcare?

I know it's not an easy thing to do, but it might be the right thing to do for your children.

Holding you in our hearts.