Keeping Your Children Busy During the Holiday Break

Parents need to start planning now. Just like summer programs, holiday programs for children fill up fast.

And even if you get your child in, it is going to cost you extra, and some parents cannot afford it.

For Angela Lands, taking care of her three children meant using vacation time she would have preferred to save for the summer.

"They stay with my father-in-law before and after school, and he's kind of an older gentleman, so he doesn't do real well with them for long periods of time together," said Lands.

For those long holiday breaks, some working parents take a shot at holiday programs like the "Schools Out Specials" offered by theYMCA.

In another week or so, a lunchtime basketball crowd will experience a full court press of a different kind from children sharing their space.

"We know it's tough with both parents working in the family, and it allows children to come to spend time with children of other ages and from other schools," said Allison Wickham of the YMCA.

Many programs are already filled. The Central YMCA has space available, but only for the next few days. The cost is $21 a day.

The activities will all be centered around a Christmas theme with games, arts and crafts and swimming.

The program starts Monday, Dec 21 and runs through Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Central YMCA.

You can drop your children off at 7:30 a.m. and pick them up at 6 p.m.