Pods vs. individualized childcare?

[Anonymous]

We have a first grader, and we're fortunate to be able to have enough resources to hire our own nanny to supervise our son's online learning while the school is remote (it will reduce our savings rate, but that is fine). We've been debating whether to invite a few other kids in the neighborhood to form a pod. The only reason we'd do this is to give our son some social interaction. But our school district isn't accommodating pod requests, so there's a good chance that the kids will be in different classes, making supervision more difficult for the nanny. We're also worried about all of the logistical issues associated with multiple kids, and the increased Covid risk. What are your thoughts on the benefits of an individualized caretaker vs. the social interaction of pods?

[Anonymous]

Possible to just schedule separate playdate with the kids?

[Anonymous]

Just wait until his class list is out, or do playdates.

[Anonymous]

You could wait until everyone knows their class assignments to forms pods?

[Anonymous]

We have an only who is 8, rising third grader. We are both working from home for the time being. We are not doing a pod but will continue to set up playdates. We let him play with a few friends, outdoors, 3-4 times a week. It has been good for him. But I am not interested in him spending time inside with a group of kids in a pod.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have an only who is 8, rising third grader. We are both working from home for the time being. We are not doing a pod but will continue to set up playdates. We let him play with a few friends, outdoors, 3-4 times a week. It has been good for him. But I am not interested in him spending time inside with a group of kids in a pod.

Are you hiring someone to oversee his online learning? Or will you do it yourselves while working from home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have an only who is 8, rising third grader. We are both working from home for the time being. We are not doing a pod but will continue to set up playdates. We let him play with a few friends, outdoors, 3-4 times a week. It has been good for him. But I am not interested in him spending time inside with a group of kids in a pod.

Are you hiring someone to oversee his online learning? Or will you do it yourselves while working from home?

Not the PP, but in the same situation. We are doing it ourselves. Outdoor playdates, and possibly an arrangement with one or two other families of onlies who are also strictly distancing for indoor playdates. But a pod with a bunch of kids? Not doing it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t pod but I would bubble - meaning play dates with 1-2 other families without precautions.

[Anonymous]

The outdoor playdates will only be possible until October, maybe early November. I am dreading what will happen when it's too cold to play outside. We will need to make some safety choices at that point.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a know your kid situation. If he's been fine so far and not having an extroverted existentialist crisis over the social isolation, then I wouldn't worry about a pod. But if he's struggling and would benefit, then I agree wait until class lists are out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The outdoor playdates will only be possible until October, maybe early November. I am dreading what will happen when it's too cold to play outside. We will need to make some safety choices at that point.

I am Canadian. It is almost never too cold in the DMV to play outside (well, maybe if it reaches -20F or below). Just put warm clothes and boots on them. Kids are happy to play outside in winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The outdoor playdates will only be possible until October, maybe early November. I am dreading what will happen when it's too cold to play outside. We will need to make some safety choices at that point.

I am Canadian. It is almost never too cold in the DMV to play outside (well, maybe if it reaches -20F or below). Just put warm clothes and boots on them. Kids are happy to play outside in winter.

+1

Sure, there are some sleety, slushy days when it's just miserable to be outside, but there are plenty of days that are fine. I see people who buy their kids expensive boots and coats, and then say it's too cold to be outside after October. October? That's what all those boots and snowpants and coats and hats and mittens I buy are for! I used to play outside for hours at a time in December and January, and it was a lot colder where I grew up than it is here.

[Anonymous]

Get a nanny and do play dates. Or, if you decide you want to do pods, please make sure the nanny you hire knows. We have a nanny for our first grade twins and other people have asked if we would do a pod with their kids and have our nanny be in charge. Nope. That's not what she signed up for (we've had her for years) and it's not what we pay for. It may work for some people, but the nanny needs to know that that is the expectation going in but some would not want to take on that job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The outdoor playdates will only be possible until October, maybe early November. I am dreading what will happen when it's too cold to play outside. We will need to make some safety choices at that point.

Bull pucky. Poor kids never go sledding, sliding or do anything outside once it’s “too cold?” Nothing below what? 20, 30, 40?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The outdoor playdates will only be possible until October, maybe early November. I am dreading what will happen when it's too cold to play outside. We will need to make some safety choices at that point.

I am Canadian. It is almost never too cold in the DMV to play outside (well, maybe if it reaches -20F or below). Just put warm clothes and boots on them. Kids are happy to play outside in winter.

Yeah, upper Midwest for me. If we kept kids inside anytime it dipped below 40, they wouldn’t be outside from October through May.