School's Out??的动态

THIS ?? . Unsure what the #mommytax looks life in real life. It's this. Kim Chappell thank you for posting. Keep posting. All #workingmoms keep posting. Professional life is not working for parents. And yes, it's super complicated. Every family has different needs but employers can help in a big way. Kim hits on a really important piece not getting enough attention (yet). Her kids are school-age. Most companies who are able to offer #childcare tend to focus on #daycare or backup care if that. For the littles. BUTTTTT in the US the largest demographic of kids of working parents are aged 10-18. Roughly 60% of working parents. That's a HUGE population of parents shouldering exorbitant costs, productivity impacts, lengthened workdays, and less professional growth opportunities than non-parent colleagues. THIS is the #mommytax Companies and #HR can play a huge role in eliminating the burden for parents of school-age kids. It's why EnrichedHQ exists. Let's chat on how. And hang in there Kim, you'll figure it out. Us mommas always do. But I see you and so do all the other families struggling with the same.

This. So much this. Summer can cost parents time and productive working hours, especially those who can’t afford to put their kids in all the summer camps kids seem to be needing nowadays. But i don’t think just the impact on parents who work is the end of it. We are creating a sort of social hierarchy among children with means, and those without. Those who have access to more learning opportunities and extracurriculars. And those who can’t afford them. Scott Galloway touches a bit on the economics of parenting and raising children (along with many other things) in his new book, and how as a country we spend something like 8 times the amount on seniors that we spend on kids. Imagine the generational talent and ingenuity we could develop as a society if we had the right investments in our kids’ futures. How many lost einsteins are we missing out on today because kids don’t have access to programs and resources that so clearly help their peers?

"Camps" go from 9-12 for 4 (max) days of a week and are $350 per child (at best). I have my 7 and 10 year olds signed up for 4 camps each over the summer and a part time babysitter (at $15/hour) for the rest of our work days. But those camp programs sell out within minutes of opening and some of them are booked 6+ months in advance. So if you don't know your summer plans or aren't quick with the checkout, you're easily out several weeks of the most popular (and sometimes most affordable) camps. In the "best" scenario where I could get into weekly camps for each kid for all 10 weeks of summer, that plus a babysitter for the other work hours would equal $11k+ in childcare for this 2-working-parent household. Minimum. And don't get me started on the before care/after care programs at the school where we pay $400/month so our kids have adequate after supervision for the hours where school schedules and work day hours don't align. While I recognize it is a massive privilege to afford these things, that's also almost entirely my point. It shouldn't be a privilege. There are so many families who don't have these options. Who work longer hours at more jobs than I do. And this is the state of childcare in our country.

Childcare is a Big Deal. One about which I have ridiculous amounts of mixed feelings, naturally. When I was reading this post, here are the thoughts that went through my head. 1. $12,000?!? For SUMMER CAMPS? Who can afford this? What happens if you can't? 2. PLUS a nanny? 3. School isn't childcare. I actually think children should be in school less, not more... 4. ...but, given that now, many households need to have two working parents (a whole separate issue) we *have* to have solutions to help care for children. 4. But how do we fill in the gaps? Especially if it's not school? 5. We personally have been "lucky" in the sense that we've figured out how to make it work with me staying home (and, increasingly, working from home) for nearly a decade. I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, not everyone can make that work financially. In our situation, we'd almost certainly be better off financially if I had a full-time job, but with the logistics of rural living and the lack of rural childcare, it was almost impossible for me to have a "real" job in some of the places we've lived. (Hence why I've built my freelancing gigs.) But it's been hard. 6. Many people will applaud how we've chosen to raise our kids, but please understand that there were days that I longed for work to do outside of raising my children. Now, I long for a little more uninterrupted time to work. That will make some people clutch their pearls, but the ones that get it, get it. Many, many women feel fulfilled by work *and* raising children. Many women don't have a choice--they have to work. Or, they're afraid of that resume gap or the delay in their careers so they continue to work. (We don't value mothering/parenting enough in the work world, but also a separate conversation.) 7. When are families actually spending time together, if both parents are working and then the evenings are full of sports and homework and screens? 8. What is the solution for high-quality but *affordable* childcare? I don't think it's up to the government to provide it (maybe offset the cost) but you might disagree. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Let's keep it respectful, team, because this is a deeply personal and emotional conversation, and there's no one right way to family.

The Pitfalls of Overloading Kids with Summer Camps With summer vacations started in most schools across the country, most parents are busy comparing various summer camps to engage their child in, so they are 'productively' occupied. They believe it helps them keep away from screens. Here's why this approach is not right 1. Burnout and Stress: Summer should be a time for children to recharge, relax, and pursue their interests at a leisurely pace. Forcing them to attend camp after camp can lead to burnout, fatigue, and increased stress levels, undermining the very purpose of a break. 2. Lack of Unstructured Play: Unstructured play is essential for a child's cognitive, emotional, and social development. When every waking hour is scheduled with structured activities, children miss out on the invaluable benefits of free play, exploration, and creativity. 3. Overscheduling and Family Time: A jam-packed summer camp schedule can leave little room for quality family time. Children need opportunities to bond with their parents, siblings, and extended family, creating cherished memories and strengthening their sense of belonging. Instead of overloading kids with camps, consider a more balanced approach. Encourage them to explore their passions, engage in creative pursuits, read books, spend time outdoors, and simply enjoy the freedom of unstructured time. Additionally, involve them in the decision-making process, allowing them to choose a few camps or activities that genuinely excite them. Remember, summer is a time for rejuvenation, self-discovery, and creating lasting memories. By avoiding the trap of overscheduling, you can foster a healthier, happier, and more well-rounded childhood experience for your children. #SummerCamps #Parenting #Finestra #YourWindowToABetterLife #LinkedInForCreators

As the final bell rings and classrooms empty, the long-awaited UK school holidays are here! For children, it’s a time of excitement, adventure and a break from the routine. But for parents, it often marks the beginning of a challenging period of juggling work and family life. In our latest blog, we've shared our tips for balancing work and family life during the summer holiday - https://lnkd.in/eTvm2tcA ? Have any tips to add? Let us know in the comments! ?? #SchoolsOutForSummer #SummerHolidays #WorkingParents

Making changes to your #childrensroutines can sometimes seem quite daunting because of the perceived effort it requires. Why not take advantage of the forthcoming summer holidays and make the changes which you have been delaying over the last few months. I discussed just that with one such parent, after delivering a Triple P UK & Ireland seminar, on the Power of #PositiveParenting who was struggling with their daughter's #bedtimechallenges. What changes, if any, would like you like to make during the next six weeks summer holidays? #parentingsupport

?? The Summer Camp Scramble ?? It’s that time of year again! Last year, I shared this post, and it resonated with so many parents, so I’m bringing it back while the challenge is fresh in everyone’s mind. Parents, are you in the thick of the "Summer Camp Scramble"? I’ve optimized complex systems in my career, but honestly, nothing compares to the stress of coordinating summer camps for my kids. Here are just a few of the variables we juggle: 1?? Signups: Some camps are first-come, first-serve. Others use rolling registration, leaving you waiting for feedback while risking losing your backup options. 2?? Weekly Schedules: Camp dates rarely align with school breaks, leaving gaps where care is needed. 3?? Daily Schedules: Camps might end at noon, 3 PM, or 5 PM, creating logistical challenges for working parents. 4?? Cost: Every camp is pricey, some more than others. 5?? Multiple Kids: If you have more than one child, matching their ages to the right camps gets exponentially harder. 6?? Activities: Will your child actually enjoy the camp? If not, mornings can turn into battles. 7?? Transportation: Camp locations, traffic patterns, and your own work schedule complicate drop-offs and pick-ups. 8?? Friends: Peer influence matters. If your kid’s friends are attending a specific camp, your plans might shift. 9?? Staffing Shortages: Reduced hours or cancellations due to staffing issues are real concerns. ?? Your Summer Plans: It’s hard to think about July when it’s below zero outside, but vacations need to be scheduled now to work around camp dates. What variables are you facing? How is your Summer Camp Scramble going? Let’s share tips, stories, and support to make this process a little less stressful for everyone. #ParentingChallenges #SummerCamp #WorkingParents #FamilyLife #ParentingJourney #MomLife #DadLife #KidsActivities #ChildcareSolutions #ParentingWins #SummerPlanning #BusyParents #FamilySupport #ParentCommunity #LifeWithKids

Sending your kids off to camp might seem scary, but it's also a great way to help them gain independence and grow as individuals. Read more in a piece written by Sheeka Sanahori, with thoughts from Jody Sherman LeVos, PhD, titled, "The kids are going to summer camp. Time to plan an adult vacation" on how parents can better prepare their kids for their first sleepaway camp experience, while also easing their own nerves. https://lnkd.in/gBvN4Xd4

You're a pro at planning your workweek, but home projects? They're time bandits. Why? Take summer camp research. You: ? Plan for 2 hours ? Consult 3 friends (yielding 3 different answers) ? Compare websites of all 3 (unsure exactly what you need) ? Book tours with the top 2 →4 hours later, and you haven't even put down a deposit. Surprise! Welcome to Hofstadter's Law: Everything takes longer than you think, even when you account for Hofstadter's Law. In other words, even if you bake in delays, projects still take longer. As parents, anytime we're tasked with making a new decision for our kids that could affect our child's: ? safety ? well-being ? development We feel doubly responsible to get it right. → As a result, making a decision is likely to take longer than we expect. That's OK. It's part of the many unknowns of parenthood where just about everything is a new thing, especially your first time around. So when planning important family projects, estimate your time…then 2x-3x it. You'll need to accommodate those inevitable learning curves. And just when you think you've got it down? Boom! New phase, new challenges. (Image credit: Pejman Milani)