Any recommendation on how to find a high school studen to do 4 hrs of sitting during the summer?

We used to use an in-home daycare, but were unhappy with the care. It was fine, but because she watched her own kids, I felt mine was a lower priority. There were other issues, but I won't go there. Now we have two and hired a nanny. She's less expensive than two in daycare and she's fantastic!

I love the personal attention - my two year old has learned a lot. She brings the two-year old to library storytime during the baby's nap and helps keep them out of my home office.

We found someone who's studying to be a teacher. She does homework while the kids nap and loves to be around them. We got very lucky on craigslist.

We have had au pairs for our children who are two and four years currently! They have been great. They provide our family a flexible schedule and also offer us a cultural exchange! We use Cultural Care, www.culturalcare.com

My 7 mo old DD has been in daycare for 3 mos, and she loves it. She is an incredibly active infant (crawling and pulling up at 6 mos), so she needs the stimulation she gets there from several teachers, other children, loads of toys, arts and crafts, outdoor play on a special playground. She is thriving there. I think she prefers this arrangement instead of having just one caregiver (nanny or similar) at a home. She'd get bored pretty quickly. I recently left my office job to start my own biz at home, and have not pulled her out of daycare. I don't want to disrupt her schedule, just b/c mine has changed. But she spends fewer hours at daycare now, and some days we go to the zoo ;-) I love the freedom of having my own schedule, which allows me to spend more hours in the day with my sweet little one.

We patch several different daycare situations together. My son goes to a co-op two half days, is with my parents one full day and is in a home daycare one full day. It is crazy but it is still a schedule and it works. He loves co-op and spending time with his grandparents. The daycare is a bit tough. He's been there for 2 months and he cries every single time we go. However, at the end of the day, he is always happy and smiling and excited. I try to have special one on one time with him after each day away, whether we go for a walk or to the park or just cuddle up on the couch and talk about the day. That helps us both, I think. He has widened his circle of friends and despite some tears, it is for the greater good. I think it depends on your son's age, the situation and how much time you can spend together at the end of a daycare day or on days off. Good luck!