Summoned for U.S. District Court Jury Duty - What should I do?

[RamblingRose]

I have been summoned for jury duty with the Federal Court for the Northern District of Georgia. I am a stay-at-home mom of a 5 year old preschooler and also have an 8 year old in 2nd grade. The information sheet states that you can request to be excused from jury duty if you have full-time care of children under 10 years of age. I would really have to do some work, but could possibly arrange for child care.

I served on a jury about 10 years ago in Gwinnett County (burbs of Atlanta). The defendant was accused of selling $10 worth of crack to an undercover officer. We found him guilty, and due to mandatory minimums, he got some ridiculous sentence. The judge told us after the trial that the punishment did not fit the crime. It was very depressing.

Do any courts (federal, state, or county) offer childcare to jurors? How can you have a jury of your peers if a lot of women with small children cannot participate? If I were on trial, I would want them on my jury.