Tree climbing at the Palisades Library

They go to camp. Bus picks them up two blocks from home. No problem.

We still do the high school nanny, although on a limited basis, because we didn't want our older child to have to be responsible for the younger all summer. Some is fine, so the nanny really is part time. It also enables them to have friends over and, if need be, to get a ride to a friend's house (many times they can just bike). The older one is not happy with the arrangement in theory, but likes the extra flexibility it gives him.

Anonymous wrote:For the oldest, a combination of fun camps, staying home, volunteer work and some special activities like baseball with relatives. My oldest uses public transportation to get where he needs to go when it's an option so he has lots of things he can do.

For the younger kids, camp with before and aftercare b

I agree. Older = more self-sufficient, but I don't want him hanging around the house all summer. This year our non-driving 16yo is doing a combination of volunteer work (getting SSL hours), working, school stuff (he has reading and writing due in the fall), and house chores. He has two non-scheduled weeks - other than that it is a combination of the these things and family vacation (two weeks).

For the oldest, a combination of fun camps, staying home, volunteer work and some special activities like baseball with relatives. My oldest uses public transportation to get where he needs to go when it's an option so he has lots of things he can do.

For the younger kids, camp with before and aftercare b

sleep away camp for the big one, at least a few weeks. It is a wonderful thing to get away from younger siblings.

More sleepaway camps? Gets rid of the transportation issue.

I am thinking for next year already, but do working parents do with their kids once they are old enough to be home alone, but there are still younger siblings?

My kids are 4 grades apart. I don't mind paying for the high school nanny now, she's part driver, and with her vacation/plans we end up with a nice mix of camp, vacations, and down time.

What do people do when you have a non-driving teen, but a younger child that still needs care. And although they could stay home together, a whole summer is not going to happen without a fight! Plus, the not driving yet will be an issue. We live in a suburban hell where there is no public transportation (or sidewalks). I'm sure I can find volunteer activities and camps for the older one, but transportation would be an issue. What do people do?