My summer 3-day-a-week babysitter is taking off this week so I have the kids home with me all week (and no babysitter bill!). So this week I am conducting this experiment–will I get an adequate amount of work done in exchange for saving the money on a babysitter?

I am a strong advocate of VAs having at least some childcare when they have young children at home because it’s hard to get much done. But now my “little kids” have turned into a 7 year old and 5 year old who have become quite independent. My biggest concern is that I spend enough “quality” time with them. But at what point do you decide it’s “okay” to have the kids at home with you full-time and just juggle work and family the best you can?

And boy, the things I can do with that money I spend on summer childcare…HersheyPark passes, a new color laser printer, more “field trips” with the kids, etc. Hmm, it sounds really appealing, but I’ll reserve judgement until the end of this week! Stay tuned!