Family Time Off: How Parents in Israel Are Spending Unplanned Time off Amidst Uncertainty

With the cancellation of holiday camps and trips for youth organizations, as well as the closure of educational institutions in Israel due to the security situation, many parents have found themselves needing to take unplanned time off to entertain their children. This has led to a surge in spending on credit cards and food purchases, with Israeli spending on credit cards increasing by 8.5% compared to the previous Sunday, with a total of 688 million shekels spent between 8:00 to 14:00. Retail chains have reported a surge in food purchases over the past 24 hours, with sales of drinking water increasing by 1000%.

One father of twins shared that he had to take a day off work due to the sudden closure of schools, which cost him around 1,000 shekels. He took his children to a shopping center, spending additional money on entertainment, shopping and food. Many parents are facing unexpected challenges in providing entertainment for their children during this time, leading to increased spending on various activities and necessities.

The announcement of an Iranian attack on Israel by the IDF spokesperson prompted the spike in purchases of drinking water. While demand has slightly decreased by the morning, it still remains higher than usual. As schools remain closed and holiday camps are canceled, parents are finding new ways to keep their children entertained and engaged during this time.