Child care for 8yr old while visiting?

Question

My brother-in-law is visiting for the summer. I work full time and so does my husband although he's going to take off for awhile, he can't take the whole time off. Where can we send him? I have no clue since our only child is 5 and goes to a child developement center.

Answer 1

I have no problem comprehending an 8 year old brother in law. You are a classic American family. I have a bio-sister who is younger than my son. Cheers.

Does your town have a Y? Most of them have day camps with field trips and swimming and everything else with a different theme each week. And you can sign up week by week when you need it.

He will love it! It is not cheap but if you have the cash or your in-laws can pitch in a little it will be TOTALLY worth it. If you have circumstances that make it not affordable the Y has a policy of not turning away anyone due to inability to pay and they may be able to help you out.

Otherwise...advertise on Craiglist or a local free online classified systems or your state workforce development website (often they have these on local TV or radio station websites) for a sitter/pal for the 8 year old -- obviously you will want references if you do not know them -- and especially if it is a boy in late high school or college who can drive and take him to the park and the pool etc. A girl would be okay too if he can take care of himself in the bathhouse etc. But there may very well be an energetic elementary ed student around who is having trouble finding work or could use an extra gig and can fit your schedule.

Do you know a stay at home mom with kids close to his age? She might appreciate some extra money for taking him along with whatever she is doing with her kids -- the pool; the park; the discovery museum; whatever -- or at least he could go over there and run through the sprinkler with her kids and be fed lunch and taken care of.

Answer 2

There should be summer "camps" going on alot right now. Try local churches for vacation bible school, maybe a discovery center for a week of science camp, or even if you have a local community college- the one in our area offers many programs for kids in the summer. If you have to work you may just put him in the child development center on a temporary basis. Good luck, oh I almost forgot- check your local pools for swimming lessons.

Answer 3

Huh?  Is your brother-in-law 8 years old?  If not, why can't your brother-in-law watch his own kid, or least make plans before you bring him into a home with 2 working parents.  Otherwise, I would check into park district summer camps for all day.  Look at spending over $100 a week for that.

Answer 4

You might have to check around for another day care, ask friends, etc. Check with the schools or local rec centers and see if they offer any kinds of summer programs. Local churches are a good place too. Good luck.

Answer 5

Get him a babysitter.