How Do You Send Your Kids Away For Summer Vacation {a reader debate}

I just came across a great article, one that really hit home this summer for me.  The article was about letting your kids go away for the summer and how could one do that? 

Honestly, I would have thought differently about this question if I was not in the predicament that our family is in this year.  For some reason, the economy hit my family hard.  We are fortunate that we both have jobs, (thank god), though my pay and hours were cut at work.  At first, I was thrilled  YEAH, I can be home and I enjoyed it.  I was able to spend more time with my kids, especially because I work full-time out of the home and feel already that I am missing out.  That was the first week.  Now came week 2 and getting my paycheck and actually feeling the wrath - it hurt!

Now comes the reality.  Daycare for two kids is expensive and now that both of them are out of school - r.e.a.l.i.t.y.

My parents are retired and have a camp up north in Lake George.  This coming year (actually this coming week), my parents will be taking my children for the entire week while my husband and I stay home and work.  If we were to pay for day care for the entire week for both of our kids, that would be my paycheck and we just could not live on one salary, at least not right now.

There are so many positives for my kids to be with my parents, such as:

1.  They will be able to spend time with their grandparents and make memories.  Tons of memories they can hopefully speak to their kids about.

2.  Six Flags Great Adventure is right around the corner from my parents camp and we will buy a Season Pass for each kid.  With that Season Pass comes free passes.  Hence, my parents will be able to go on the rides with them (and boy, does my father like to go on the rides!)

3.  They can do things throughout the day.  Like go shopping, go play miniature golf, go swimming, etc.  All  things that at a day care, they would not be able to do.

My son is in college and goes away to school.  I miss him terribly, though I speak to him every day and he comes home some weekends or we try to plan time to get up to see him.  I know this is not quite like it, however, it is still sending your kids away.

Will we miss our younger kids this summer going to mima and pipa's?  Yes, like c.r.a.z.y!  Though they are only a hop, skip and a jump (ok, an hour car ride) away, so we can always take rides up to see them at night or just wait until the weekend when they come home. 

For us, right now, this is going to work.  It has to. 

What are your thoughts on this subject?  I would love to hear, whether positive or negative.  Do you feel the same I do, or are you against this?  Please comment below.