Anonymous
Post 08/19/2020 08:37     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
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!
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2020 07:36     Subject: Re:How young to leave alone next school year?
To answer OPs question, age 10
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2020 07:32     Subject: Re:How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:This post is EXACTLY why schools should be pulling out all.the.stops. to make in school learning available for K-5 for those who need it. Or even SOME type of free or highly subsidized care (like the aftercare program but all day) to supervise online learning (as best they can, which don’t be great at the younger ages)

If they aren’t going to do that, parents under a certain income level should be provided $$ for childcare and some K-5 teachers should be furloughed (particularly specials teachers who really don’t do anything for online learning) to be free up the funds if need be.

This entire scenario is just ridiculous on all levels TBH. There are millions of parents in OP’s situation.

I totally agree. What are people supposed to do?! It’s just terrible



Anonymous
Post 08/19/2020 07:21     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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 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.


They're letting in whoever pays. Ive been invited to 2 and do not wfh.
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2020 00:17     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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 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.


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.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2020 23:29     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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?
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2020 23:04     Subject: Re:How young to leave alone next school year?
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.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2020 20:57     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2020 20:52     Subject: Re:How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:Can you afford a nanny who brings her own kids to your house? Probably be about $10 to $15 an hour?


Dude...she is an office admin. How much are you fantasizing she makes an hour herself?

Anonymous
Post 08/18/2020 20:38     Subject: Re:How young to leave alone next school year?
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?
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2020 14:20     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
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.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2020 18:44     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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 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.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2020 18:04     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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 do you think a pod is?
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2020 18:02     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
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.
Anonymous
Post 07/24/2020 17:57     Subject: How young to leave alone next school year?
Anonymous wrote:NP. These responses are all so strange to me, so 2019. All kids are going to be home all day. Yes, some kids will be at gyms or martial arts camp all day, but many will be at home, with a WAHP or SAHP or alone.

OP, you are welcome to drop your kids off at our house with two laptops, they can go to school next to our 7 and 10 year old. We're in Springfield though. Contact your kids' friends or classmates, see who will take one or both of them.


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.