Juggling the School Holiday's

I cannot be the only one...who, as a working mama, associates school holidays with a mad scramble to find someone to watch their child; making phone calls calling in favors, while dropping discreet reminders of something you did for that person in the recent past. Harboring hopes that the person you decide to ask will offer their assistance before you have to resort to begging and making future promises of your services when needed.

As I sat down at the kitchen counter, iPhone nearby on the ready to put those contacts to the test, I

threw together a mental list of those most likely willing to chip in during this holiday week.  Scrolling through the smiling faces in my contact list, I can almost hear the echoes of my friends and family in the past letting me know, "what a joy," my Sonny Boy has been to watch, and I start feeling optimistic that I will get this figured out quicker than I expect.  Luckily, I nailed down a schedule with only a few promises made to be no longer than a couple of hours at a stretch, after all, it is the week of Thanksgiving, many an errand must be ran in order to prepare, and managing a kindergartner at the super market during the biggest week for groceries is less than desirable (don't I know it).

The need for extra child care is one of the many woes of being a parent. Those of you lucky enough to have amazing people in your lives, people who happily offer to watch your little ones while their school is boarded up for a week (or two come Christmas time), are fortunate, fortunate people and have something to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving.  For the rest of you in the same boat as I am, out in the open seas all alone, I hope you are able to work out a plan that makes your child happy, keeps you employed, and gives you all peace of mind until school starts back up.