At the same time, I felt a sense of dread. We were new in the community, and I wasn’t sure what I would do with Sami while I worked. She would finish school mid-May. We had two and a half months of free time to fill. What was I going to do?

I was in a quandary. I didn’t want her in day care every day, especially with a lot of younger children. She’d get bored silly, and it would cost too much. I would not leave her alone for extended periods, and sending her to camp would be fine—if paying my rent wasn’t a necessity.

I called some single-parent friends; I asked my dad for advice; I gathered ideas and solutions. Some of the ideas I used, some I didn’t, but here are the ones that seemed most practical:

Check out summer camps: We could only afford one week of camp, but it was fun for Sami to have a camp experience to look forward to. Check out www.cciusa.org for Christian camps in your area. Some may even offer scholarships.

Combine efforts with other single parents: Gather some of your friends who are in the same position. Put up a flyer at a local college (possibly in the education department) or at a neighborhood church. Together, hire someone with whom you all feel comfortable. Ask that person to plan activities, field trips, etc., to meet the diverse needs of your children. By pooling together, you will draw high-quality applicants because you’ll be able to offer a better wage.

Talk to relatives: If you have relatives in another town or state, consider asking if they would host your children for a week. It would be a great opportunity for your kids to get to know extended family and build relationships that will serve them well in the future.

Investigate volunteer opportunities: If your children are older, there may be places where they can volunteer and make a difference. Check with your local community volunteers for possibilities.

Negotiate with your employer: Depending on your job, you may be able to work from your home on a temporary basis for the summer. Ask if you can work from home one or two days a week.

As children get older, it’s more tempting to leave them on their own. It saves money and avoids the hassle of trying to plan activities. But avoid leaving your children alone for extended periods of time. It’s lonely for kids to be at home; it invites dangerous situations (unmonitored Internet and television); and it keeps them from experiencing the healthy opportunities that summer fun with others can provide.

Start thinking and planning now for the summer months. Get friends together and brainstorm ideas. With a little creativity, you can turn those long summer months into a tremendous opportunity for play, adventure and relational connection.