Quick Check-In for All You Working Parents Out There: Are You Ready for Summer!!

Confession time... my husband and I have officially pulled the plug on summer camp. That's right—no school, no camp, and a whole lot of hoping for the best!

Last summer, Uncle Sam was good to us and we took our "winnings" straight to the internet, signing up both kiddos for a whopping 4 week, outdoor camp, filled with activities! Each week cost a hefty $800 bucks per kid. Ouch!!! But, it was an all outdoor experience, filled with sports, art, and no electronics so it hit the check points!

And the big kicker, for an additional $200 per kid, there was an add on for transportation. This bus option had my husband and I grinning from ear to ear because, in LA, the last thing we wanted to do was sit in traffic...especially after a full year of driving back and forth to school (which is an hr each way).

But in California.....you need to cover a lot more then 4 weeks of camps! So off to the Google search engine we went to try and find affordable camp options. We opted for School of Rock because, doesn't every kid dream of being a rocker? And finally, after we saw a drained checking account, we started calling the grandparents to see who wanted the kids at their house for some summer fun time!!

And the summer proved to be amazing! The kids were happy, tired, and well cared for. More importantly, mom and dad did not have to make too many adjustments with work. We could take our calls and do business as usual, creating a stress free environement.

Fast forward to today, and we decided that this summer we are going to bypass the expensive camps and try and transform this summer into a fun-filled adventure, driven by connections and creativity.

Lucky for us, our kids, aged 8 and 10, are fortunate to have ample outdoor space at home, and we're leveraging this to create memorable experiences without the high cost of summer camps. From soccer nets to swing sets, and a local bike path that leads to a great big park, we figure we can create a mini camp experience that is revolved around meetings, call blitzes and all the other "work things" we need to focus on!

We also have All Star baseball, which was a last minute, welcomed edition that covers 3 practices a week and a few tournaments. Thank you Little League!!

And let's talk about the support system! Because as nice as the above sounds, we are realistic in what is feasible. Thankfully, we have two sets of awesome, retired grandparents and family friends to help break out the week, taking the kids to swim and go on adventures!

All this to say.....why is it so hard to find affordable summer camp options and is this a broader issue that extends past the US and into other countries?

Learning from Global Perspectives

I recently stumbled on a fantastic article written by Katherine Goldstein, and she did a write up to discuss how families across the globe handle summer care. What she presents is both enlightening and, admittedly, a bit envy-inducing. The stories she shares highlight how the US has a unique set of challenges that make summer particularly tough for parents.

For instance, Germany’s approach, with only a six-week summer break and more affordable, interest-based camps, allows parents to balance work and family life more seamlessly. Similarly, in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, private schools remain open year-round, offering a play-based summer curriculum with field trips and outdoor activities at no extra cost.

In contrast, families in Nigeria often rely on a network of relatives, nannies, and sometimes even older siblings to bridge the childcare gap during the summer months. Despite fewer government safety nets, the communal approach in these countries offers valuable lessons in leveraging extended family and community resources.

Reflections and Future Considerations

Our decision to forgo summer camp this year was not just about saving money but also about reevaluating how we spend our time together. The insights from other countries underscored the need for a cultural shift in the US. We must advocate for more flexible work policies, affordable and diverse summer programs, and a societal acceptance of children’s independence.

So big shout out to my company, Emerald, for establishing Summer Hours for their staff. Fridays are my days to be a kid and play with my children. After a 4 hour shift in the morning, I get to enjoy being a mom and enjoy some sunshine.

If you're interested in how families across the globe handle summer care or have your own stories to share, I’d love to hear from you. Let's continue this conversation and advocate for changes that support families during the summer months.

Make sure you check out Katherine Goldstein and see in depth how other mom and dads are thriving through summer and how it looks a little different across the globe:

https://thedoubleshift.substack.com/p/how-other-countries-handle-summer