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Posted Thursday, June 11, 2009  by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

Dread.

It's one of the most common feelings expressed by moms this time of year.

 No, they're not dreading finding the perfect gift for Father's Day or that it's swimsuit season, or even the fact that graduation ceremonies now start at the ripe old age of 4. Seriously, do we really need caps and gowns for kids heading off to kindergarten? Talk about setting them up for expecting pomp and circumstance for everything they do.

Instead, this dread is aimed at the kids getting out of school. While many stay-at-home moms look forward to celebrating summer with the kids (only to start the back-to-school countdown a week later), working moms everywhere are scrambling to cover childcare - both logistically and financially.

It had never occurred to me while being a mom for the past five years that working during summer could be an issue. My kids have either been home or at a year-round preschool - no problem. But recently I realized that next summer - post kindergarten -- would be a totally new ballgame. It left me wondering why no one ever talks about this. What do people do with their kids all summer?

In my informal working mom poll - which consisted of posing the question on Facebook and Twitter and making few phone calls and emails (very scientific, wouldn't you say?) - I asked parents around the country, how do you make childcare work over the summer?

While some are still able to afford the cost of a nanny or sitter, day camps -- through a local YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, church, or parks and recreation department - are a popular choice among parents everywhere. The cost can vary depending on the program, often requiring more cash for childcare over the summer than the entire school year. National chains like Kindercare and Tutor Time have school-age programs designed to keep kids active and minds engaged all summer long.

Do you have relatives nearby? Convincing them to help out (I suggest bearing gifts when asking) can save you tons of cash. What kid doesn't love a little bonding with the grandparents? And with more and more moms working from home, the teen up the street could serve more as a mother's helper than sitter, costing less and keeping kids occupied.

Some moms get creative every summer... finding friends or neighbors to child-swap with, which lets kids play with their pals while parents save some dough. Or ask around, maybe there's a stay-at-home parent looking to make a little extra cash for helping out - lower cost, happy kids and peace of mind? Sweet!

Other parents actually try to navigate the job instead of the childcare, asking for flexibility during summer months. But negotiating with an employer can feel like a risky move in these economic times. Know the facts before broaching the subject: Is your company trying to cut costs? Maybe a four-day work week would be beneficial for everyone. Can you work through lunch, using that time to leave early? Have a plan to show your supervisor what's in it for them and you just may be able to swing it.

Whether you stay home, bribe family and friends to help or send kids off to camp, one thing is universal. Summer is an opportunity to create more time with the kids, whether it be as big as a vacation or as simple as squeezing in evening walks. For most of us, memories of summer mean easy-going lazy days, playing until it got dark, and using our imaginations to create fun things to do. Foster that in your kids and you'll all be sure to have a summer to remember.

Jackie Morgan MacDougall, on the never-ending quest for balance, enjoys life in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and their three small kids. For more of Jackie's parenting observations, visit The Silver Whining.

 Related articles on Family.com:

Home Alone: Is Your teen Ready?

Beating the Mid-Summer Blues

Summer Field Trips