Closed Schools & Daycare Centers Leave Some Texas Parents Frazzled
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - In a matter of a few hours, North Texas will be under a second Winter Storm Advisory this week.
Now, some frazzled parents are left wondering what to do if school lets out for another day.
Parents of Mesquite Independent School District students have a convenient option: day camp at the Dunford Recreation Center.
Jessica Larson says the camp has been a fantastic option for her family. "They are safe. They are making friends and I can relax and concentrate on my job, knowing that my kids are well cared for, having fun, and at the end of the day when I pick 'em, they're begging to stay," she said with a laugh. But, the day camp is only open to MISD Students.
If schools remain shuttered for a third straight day, parents in other communities will be forced to get creative -- either finding new ways to keep kids occupied at home, or finding another day of last-minute care.
Although students wait for those wonderful words "no school," parents have a different response. Savannah Hudgens, a mother of five, said, "Oh my goodness! Day number two!"
Hudgens works for a North Texas insurance agency, so taking a day off after an ice storm is tough. Fortunately her boss is okay with some 'mommy multi-tasking' and that means four-month-old Rhett joins her at the office.
The 'in-house daycare' is a win for everyone." Just to make sure we get all of our customers taken care of," Hudgens explained.
Hudgens four other kids aren't as young as Rhett. "My older children, luckily we have close neighbors and they're able to stay with their friends and look after each other."
For parents across North Texas it's the same age-old struggle. "It's definitely hard. You want to make sure they're [children] taken care of, first, of course," Hudgens said. "But, at the same time, everybody's got to work."
Idalia Hernandez took one day off. "That was good for the beginning of the day," she said.
Hernandez' two kids will get more time with the grandparents if schools close again.
Parents in or near Mesquite can take advantage of a city-sponsored day camp when schools close unexpectedly.
Jessica Larson said she soon learned she was the only one concerned about the day camp option. "The mommy guilt kind of goes away when you know that they're having fun. They're not missing being at home, because they're having such a good time."
But Hudgens sais the bottom line is, "Daycare's not always open, school's not always in… last minute stuff comes up. It's always good to have great friends."
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