That's nice of you but most people I know aren't willing to have kids in their home. Especially kids whose parents are working outside the home and bringing their exposure home. Plus these families know it takes a lot of supervision to manage distance learning so aren't willing to add other people's kids. I think you're in the minority. |
| What county are you in? You might be able to take them both to school. A lot of districts and charters are allowing at-risk students on campus. You might qualify. Reach out to the school now. |
What do you think a pod is? |
I think a pod is a closed group of kids - families who've decided to take on each other's exposure because parents are all working from home and not bring germs home. That's everyone I know who's doing a pod. They aren't letting in kids they don't know or families who are working outside the home. |
| I keep thinking of you OP. Hope the county option is going to work for you or that you have something sorted out. Sending good wishes from the cyber-verse. |
| Op I’m in another state but I know our YMCA has stayed open, offers daycare, and prioritizes children in need of care (and has grants). Could you check with them? |
Dude...she is an office admin. How much are you fantasizing she makes an hour herself? |
I'm boggled as well. Amazing that people are clutching their pearls over this. This is the situation THOUSANDS of parents in this very area are in right now. People don't all have high paying jobs and support networks...welcome to planet earth 🌏. It is where real life happens. The OP will leave her kids alone and they will step up to the plate. |
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The best solution is to take them to the office with you, at least a couple days a week, but ideally every day. You can set them up in an empty office (there are sure to be plenty) with their laptops for DL. Have them bring some toys for their free time. Play or walk outside with them during your lunch break.
Explain to your boss that this is the best and safest solution for your family and that if it’s not working out after a month, you can re-evaluate. And make sure your kids are extremely well behaved, not disruptive, and leave the office as neat as when they found it. |
I second this. If I heard of someone whose alternative was to leave a six and ten year old home alone, I would definitely offer for them to come to ours, even though we both work full-time. Is there someone on the PTA at your kids school that you could reach out to for resources? |
A limited office following good protocols (masks etc) is super low risk. I mostly work from home but when I go to the office everyone is masked and I have my own office. It’s no worse than your average grocery trip - arguably safer. |
They're letting in whoever pays. Ive been invited to 2 and do not wfh. |
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| To answer OPs question, age 10 |
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The SRS program enrollment opens August 24, if you are in Hybla Valley, there will be sites at Groveton ES and Hollin Meadows ES. Would either of those be on the way to work? Maybe call the Fairfax County Office for Children and find out additional information like anticipated interest?
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/office-for-children/supporting-return-school-program Maybe post on Nextdoor making sure you are looking for assistance in multiple neighborhoods — there are lots of HS in the Waynewood, Hollin Hall, Riverside Gardens, and Fort Hunt-Stratford neighborhoods so make sure you toggle those areas. People are willing to help if they know it is needed! |