Child Care Costs Over the School Holidays

tompritchard

Just wondering how anyone with kids is managing over the school holidays with the extra burden of childcare costs?

I know many people rely on dumping the kids with grandparents, but it's just not feasible for many - how do you cope?

Some recent news facts brought it home to me about the cost of raising kids over the summer holidays:

• 'Parents are expected to take their families on an average of four day trips amounting to £420 this summer, on top of holidays!'
• 'Figures show that the holiday period costs each working family up to £558.'

Source: http://ashleyparkdebtsolutions.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/online-debt-solutions-for-summer-childcare/

Marisco

Hi Tom, you know, people who write these "reports" should be shot!!:mad: Some might look at those figures and think that if they don't spend silly amounts over the hols, they are "bad" parents!!! There are plenty of things that can be done for free and just as much fun if not more:) Sorry cannot help you with the child cost question, mine are now all adults - hallelujah;)

tompritchard

I know what you mean about throwing money at kids. When I was young I remember spending most summers riding around on my bike and playing in the park with other kids - we used to entertain ourselves all day and everyday: for free.....but then I did grow up in rural Wales so we had plenty of space to cause havoc in.

DarkConvict

Same, summer holidays we just stayed at home and met up with friends for free.

We didn't go out much because everywhere was so busy, going a broad it was too hot, going to Alton towers and queues are too long. Its the time of the year i avoided doing the "popular" stuff.

Marisco

Same here Tom, I grew up in North Wales and my daughter still lives there and her kids get more freedom than "city" kids:) But even in cities (I live just outside Newcastle) there are plenty of things to do for free. Never mind it's only 6 weeks to go:eek: You'll be the one needing the "time out" by the end;)

mrcow

tompritchard wrote: »

Just wondering how anyone with kids is managing over the school holidays with the extra burden of childcare costs?

I know many people rely on dumping the kids with grandparents, but it's just not feasible for many - how do you cope?


Some recent news facts brought it home to me about the cost of raising kids over the summer holidays:

• 'Parents are expected to take their families on an average of four day trips amounting to £420 this summer, on top of holidays!'
• 'Figures show that the holiday period costs each working family up to £558.'

Source: http://ashleyparkdebtsolutions.wordpress.com/2010/07/28/online-debt-solutions-for-summer-childcare/

You should put a disclaimer in your opening post - as your link is just an advert for a Debt Management Company. It's not even news.

If anyone does need any help with debt problems or is considering an IVA or other debt management mechanism, don't use a company like this one (Ashley Parks).....there are plenty of other options which will work out better (and cheaper!) for you.

heavensbug

I understand where your coming from with the luxury of Grandparents.

We have 3 yr old Twin girls and per month have been shelling out £900 a month on Child care.

During the holidays we just make fun for them at home.

We have a play house in the Garden and let them run around out there. Sand pit etc.

We have 2 adult season tickets to the local farm which we bought at the start of the year for £60.

Each week of the summer hoildays they have a different theme on their tractor ride (Hungry Catapilla last week, Bear hunt this week etc) and a play area inside so it works out cheaper than going to a kids play area and you can spend as long as you like there.

So we go to that once a week.

We also have an assortment of paints from ELC etc and a load of buy one get one free disney DVD's.

Plenty for them to do and approx £100 spent across the whole year.

We also take them to the park for a walk. Stop off at the duck pond with a load of bread each (50p per loaf from Tesco's. Ducks don't mind the cheap stuff).

Doesn't matter how often they feed the ducks but they always enjoy it. We also have a cooler bag which we take a 6 pack of coke/pepsi which ever is on buy one get one free. 4 Packs of rice with value ham 2 onions and a tin of Sweetcorn. Cheap and healthy.

Sandwhiches also go in the cool back so no inflated food prices.

Hope that helps with some ideas on the cheap.