Vacation Bible School is a great idea - unless you're a working parent.
It's tough to tackle carpools, cranky not-old-enough siblings and schedules. Yet, most churches around here do daytime sessions.
A church en route to my work was offering an evening Vacation Bible School this week, one my preschooler could even attend. Yet I did the math.
5:30 leave office
6:00 arrive at daycare
6:30 arrive at VBS
8:30 pick kids up
8:45 home
9:45 battles continue over bedtime...
7:00 am fight over wake ups
(repeat)
Of my 30 minutes between pickup and VBS, every minute would be spent commuting. Which meant that we'd be eating takeout or cheese and crackers in the car, neither of which are appealing. Coupled with a forecasted excessive heat watch this week, and my husband and I did something I never thought we did.
We ditched the church. And went online.
Earlier this summer, I'd signed up for a virtual Vacation Bible School based on the recommendation of another blogger. I thought it would be at the very least an option for activities during the week.
Instead of plays and group games, we watched videos online and did coloring pages. Instead of baggies of goldfish crackers and juice boxes, we had cooking activities that tied in with the day's lessons. Instead of being constrained to a five-day period, we've dropped in activities as interest arises. Crafts are coming, as are the rice krispy treats that are part of "Day 5" activities. (Not sure about the theological aspects of marshmallows, but what the heck.)
Yes, I miss the idea that my kids will miss out on the camaraderie of being at a traditional Vacation Bible School. But with $3.79 gas, a heat wave and overly tired children, I'm glad to know there are alternatives out there, too.
This is an awesome idea on so many levels (living in a remote area, a country that doesn't offer this type of program, living in an area that doesn't support your particular religious affiliation, a parent or child living with a severe mental, emotional or physical disability, etcetera...)
ReplyDeleteI too have done the picking the kids up from the sitter and passing the cooler packed with dinner as we rush to an evening Awana program or Little League. Before Behind The Wheel & high school there were many nights we'd be pulling in the driveway @ 9 or 10 pm.