A picture of backup strategies.

Backup Childcare Strategies

What does your backup childcare situation look like, ladies? How many backup layers do you have, how did you decide on those, and has your backup plan ever failed you?  In my experience, there are two main times this can come up: your sitter/nanny can cancel — or your child may be too sick to send to…

A container of Molds for modeling

Daycare: Near Home or Work?

Is the best daycare near home — or work? We’ve talked in broad strokes about the pros and cons of different childcare options, but not specifically this. A reader wrote in pondering this question a while ago, so let’s discuss. First, here’s her question: Kat, I’ve searched the site but I can’t see that you’ve…

Kids at a school supply aisle
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School Break Camps: Open Thread

Do your kids go to school break camps during winter and spring school vacations? With day care, you usually don’t have to worry — just send them to your regular provider. But parents of school-age kids need to find an alternative child care situation. Good sources for information about school break camps include local parent magazines and websites, and…

A glass apple

Teacher Gifts, Floater Gifts, and More

Holidays bring a special stress for parents: teacher gifts. So let’s discuss, ladies — what gifts are you getting for your child’s teachers, floaters, and other folks? If there is one “group gift” to which you’ve contributed money/energy, are you done with it? Do you feel stress to “keep up with the Joneses” in terms…