by Leo Wiles
27 January 2017
The kids are back at school. Finally. Can I get a hurrah?
I think it was Winston Churchill who once said, ‘When you’re going through hell, keep going’ – but what he forget to add was that it’ll be a cold day in hell when children allow you even one uninterrupted hour to sit down and think, let alone generate income. For a freelancer who’s also a single parent, that’s not great.
That said, 8 weeks uninterrupted with my kids and a million snacks, Bandaids, fights and DVDs later, I’ve got a grab bag of great ideas to put to use for next school holidays – ranging from ‘money is no object’ to ‘low-cost/no-cost’. You’re welcome.
If I had secured a HUGE contract you can bet my first strategy would be to head to a resort in Fiji and the best kids clubs on the planet. You’ll have more than enough time to have a guilt-free dip/massage/cocktail post-deadline.
Imagine an entire day where you didn’t have to make three meals and 14 snacks. Bliss, right? However, not all cruises are equal, so check with your travel agent about booking a liner that offers childcare for kids aged 2-17 and can guarantee you a place in their kids’ clubs. I’d also recommend asking about the internet and phone connection services to make sure that the only thing that changes is the scenery.
Open from 8am-6pm, your local school probably already offers a program. They’ll feed and supervise your kids, who’ll be in familiar surroundings often with peers they already know. The only real problem is that they often close over the Christmas break for a fortnight and can charge for extra outings, making it a $100 a day outlay per child before government rebates.
What’s not to love about a program that offers surfing, sailing, cricket and football clinics? The only drawback I can see is that they book up fast, and are often only available for kids aged between 7-12.
From day camps to overnight stays, the YMCA, Girl Guides, Scouts or private outward bound organisations in your area will get the blood pumping – and offer your kids heaps of great skills. Think canoeing, indoor climbing, archery, basketball, volleyball, crafts etc.
Split the $26/hour nanny fee in half with freelance friends in a similar predicament.
Agree with your partner that you’ll spread out your holidays with each of you sharing a week of family vacation time and sandwich this between a week where you both fly solo –Ta-Da! Three weeks of the holiday gone.
If you can face the idea of even more children, it can be worth working out an arrangement whereby you’ll take a fellow freelancer’s kids for a morning or day when they’re on deadline – and in return they’ll do the same when your back’s against the wall.
If you are fortunate enough as I am to live in the same state as relatives who actually like or love your kids, hit them up for some one on one time with the children. Best used sparingly so they’re not left running for the hills next time you ask.
Resort to bribery. TV, snacks, a day at the movies – choose your weapon and bring it out as deadlines loom.
How do you handle the school holidays as a working parent?
