Help a Mom: After school care for middle schoolers

Posted: January 8

I received this question from a reader who already is on the look out for after school programs for her son when he enters middle school in the fall.

Here's what she wrote:

I have a son who is in elementary school now and attends an after school care program. It works out great since I work a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. He will be going to middle school next year and I am having trouble finding after school options for him. It amazes me how most of the programs out there are for elementary aged kids. Do parents leave their 11- and 12-year-old children home alone? I just don't feel comfortable doing that. Besides, aren't those tween/teen years when our kids would really benefit from some sort of after school activities to keep them out of trouble and give them productive options. Please help :)

The YMCA of the Triangle offers after school programs, serving most elementary and middle schools in Wake, Durham, Johnston and Lee counties. Click here for details. The N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education also has a searchable form with details about facilities that care for kids up to age 12. I have some calls in elsewhere about other programs and will update with another post as I hear back.

But I know there must be other programs out there too. Parents of middle schoolers ... what do your kids do after school?

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Help a Mom features questions from readers every Wednesday. If you have a question that you'd like to ask Go Ask Mom readers, click here to email it to me.

13 Comments

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Lee Brothers and others karate, judo, etc gym offer classes that align with after school. at both schools my daughter attended, they had a shuttle bus to pick them up and take to gym

seaobin
January 9, 2013 7:21 a.m.

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I guess it depends on the area. Last year when my son was getting ready to start 6th grade at the year round school, I had the same problem. The YMCA in the area does not offer before or after school to the middle schools and only offers track out options. The bus drops him off 20 minutes before I can get home and the school will not let him wait outside until I get there. The only option I found was a rec center within walking distance that he can go to for about 30 minutes. I am interested to see what other options might be out there as well.

ct girl
January 9, 2013 7:27 a.m.

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My oldest son went home.. he was mature enough and did really well with the rules (calling when he got in... closing and locking all doors, going to a neighbors house if he felt he was being followed), etc.. my youngest sometimes has his older brother there, sometimes not and sometimes we are able to be there... but he does just as well too... it is all about ensuring the kids have proper directions in how to handle situations... oh that and two big dogs :-)

angelienna
January 9, 2013 8:15 a.m.

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Aren't there clubs that go on after school? I'm going to be in the same boat in the fall and that's what I was hoping we could do.

dmj
January 9, 2013 8:59 a.m.

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I think the YMCA does have after school care at some middle schools, or at least provides transportation to the local YMCA. My son attended a church program afterschool while in 6th grade. I was very fortunate in that it is downtown raleigh, where his school is, and my office. This yr, in 7th grade, he rides the bus home and calls me when he arrives home. He knows what he needs to do- homework, chores, etc. A couple days/wk, I work from home, so he rides the bus home.

Check w/other moms in your neighborhood who are in a similar situation. See what you can work out. I agree...its a very "in between age", and all kids mature at different ages/stages.

missparrothead
January 9, 2013 9:30 a.m.

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Noah's Ark in Apex has a great program for middle school kids.

Lovestosave
January 9, 2013 9:35 a.m.

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Hi! I have a solution for this mom. If she will give me a email, I might be interested in helping her....

tidymaid
January 9, 2013 11:15 a.m.

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Hi tidymaid any info would be great! lucilleauteri@gmail.com Thanks

Bklyn2Raleigh
January 9, 2013 11:30 a.m.

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Clubs usually do not go until 5pm and are not every day.. maybe one day a week usually.

angelienna
January 9, 2013 1:22 p.m.

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The first half of 6th grade, my daughter went to the YMCA after school program. They have time for homework there. The second half of the year we decreased attendance to 3x per week at a reduced rate. With her other evening activities it was easier to meet her at home than go to the Y, feed her and go back out. She did great for the couple hours alone. (Her sister, age 17, was there some days but usually asleep)

This year, 7th grade, we started at 3X per week and by December dropped afterschool completely. She is getting more rest at home, so far no problems. Now we are teaching her to start dinner! (she will be 13 in March)

bjpearce161
January 9, 2013 2:05 p.m.

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Help a Mom: After school care for middle schoolers

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