Let's help you get creative. Tell us more about your situation. How far is work from home? Where is. your network, friends situation, extended family, neighbors, anything.... Maybe you know someone who needs to work weekends and you can take their kids on the weekend? Any chance of co-habitating with a family member or friend who would watch the kids and pay a tiny percentage of the rent? I agree that 10 is fine but not to watch a 6 year old. I also totally get that you need to keep your job. Hugs. This is really hard.

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. Other parent has a mental health problem that bankrupt us 3 years ago. He is out of the picture. We are in VA. Money is tight which is why I have been desperately searching for cheap day camps. I know I’m not alone but I sure feel lonely. This keeps me up at night.

I know you’re desperate and I feel for you. But leaving a 6 yr old and a 10 yr old is dangerous and illegal.

Post on neighborhood list servers, contact the kids schools, post on church bulletin boards, beg friends.

Where are you located? Maybe someone here can help.

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. Other parent has a mental health problem that bankrupt us 3 years ago. He is out of the picture. We are in VA. Money is tight which is why I have been desperately searching for cheap day camps. I know I’m not alone but I sure feel lonely. This keeps me up at night.

That’s really rough, OP. I am sorry that you are in that position. You will get through this. I posted about the Ring and Echo — If you have questions or want more thoughts about technology, I’d be happy to help you, I work in IT.

What are you doing now ?

Anonymous wrote:Are there older TRUSTWORTHY possibly retired neighbors that can keep a keen eye on things from a distance? I was a latch key kid and that is how we were managed when I was growing up.

On that note, I would seriously consider adding several Ring type cameras to your house so that you can check on them several times a day. You will probably want some kind of intercom system, like an Amazon Echo, so that you can yell at them remotely.

I’m the OP. Other parent has a mental health problem that bankrupt us 3 years ago. He is out of the picture. We are in VA. Money is tight which is why I have been desperately searching for cheap day camps. I know I’m not alone but I sure feel lonely. This keeps me up at night.

Are there older TRUSTWORTHY possibly retired neighbors that can keep a keen eye on things from a distance? I was a latch key kid and that is how we were managed when I was growing up.

Unfortunately, it will probably not be possible to find "cheap" childcare.
Are your children's other parent(s) still in the picture?

I have no qualms about leaving my calm, responsible 10-year-old. I would not leave the six-year-old by herself, but if the 10-year-old has a cell phone and is trustworthy then I think it could work out OK. Pretty sure in Maryland 8 is legal, though, so it wouldn’t be exactly kosher.

I am fairly sure it’s illegal, OP, so check your state laws.

Regardless, it’s a dangerous idea. Please keep looking for options.

Not 6, but yes 10. You need to cast a wider net to find someone. 6 is too young.

It’s illegal to leave a 6 year old with a less than 13 year old in MD.

You Bc annoy legally leave a 6 year old.

I’m leaving my 10 year old daughter.

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.