As we head into the 2-3 week break between camp and school, I am extremely sympathetic to your problem. While my husband I are now flexible enough to handle these issues, for many years we were not. I suggest a combination of the following:
1) Yes, find non-working friends/relatives who hopefully have kids around the ages of yours, so that it’s more of a playdate than babysitting. Find as many of these as you can so you are not always asking the same person. You know your family/friends, so don’t be shy about asking. Offer to take their kids in exchange on a Sunday or in the evening so they can go out.
2) Develop a relationship with local high school girls. Remember, if there’s a snow day or a half day, they’re off also. If you arrange with them ahead of time to cover on those days, you’re golden. Or, if you have the room and the temperament, consider taking in a boarder who, as part of the arrangement, will be responsible for the kids on those days.
3) Talk to your teacher’s teaching assistants. Most of them are single girls with transportation who might be open to earning a few extra dollars, especially if it’s for a kid they already know (and like!).
4) For slightly older children whom you don’t yet want to leave home, talk to your boss about the possibity of bringing them to work for a few hours and letting them sit in your office watching something on a laptop with headphones. Some bosses do not mind so long as the kids are not running around.
5) If most of your friends work, try arranging a round robbin for those half days. One of you takes a few kids each time – that way you only have to take one day off instead of every one.
I’ve been there, so hang in!! As the kids get older, it really does get easier. Hatzlocha!!