my daughters elementary school starts at 9:20(!), she will be doing Kindergarten Plus which is a full day k program (in one classroom w the teacher until 4). I work M/W/F from 8-4 right now. Our daycare is not in the same school zone so she cant go there and catch a bus.
Should I:
A: change my work schedule so I can be home and get her on the bus every morning (and then drop youngest at daycare), and change hubby's so he can do daycare pickup for our youngest and meet the bus at the end of the day
Negatives:
I have to rush to drop toddler off at daycare after meeting the bus
coming in at 9:30 and how that will affect my work relationships (jealous coworkers)
not getting home until 5:30ish (dark in winter)
hubby has to pick/up toddler and rush home to meet the bus
Positives:
Not as long as a day at kindergarten!
I can feed both kids breakfast every morning
Consistent bus schedule, every day on bus
OR
B: Drop her off at 7:20 at the before care at the school.
Negatives:
cost would be $37 per week
she would be there from 7:20-4, a full TWO hours before learning even begins
she would get dropped off early m/w/f but on t/th she would take the bus from home
Positives:
they feed her breakfast
I continue to do daycare drop off and pickup, but hubby can go straight home to meet bus
We are all home by 4:30ish together
Thanks for any opinions or sharing what worked for you!
Option B.
She will be learning. Learning how to make friends.
Plus do you have a backup plan for days that they open late/close early? Usually if you are enrolled in the before/after care, they just go there until their normal time.
I tried everything with my 3, and each time, no matter what I tried, I found that changing my schedule, as well as my husband changing his, was the final and best decision for me each time. It just was the logical answer for all parties involved especially me. I found that I didn't stress about everything this way. I was in charge, I handled what I needed to handle for the kids, went to work and DID NOT feel guilty (as alot of moms sometimes feel) and didn't have to worry about extra costs anywhere. Also, I found that my kids needed the consistency, breakfast with mom, calm morning to introduce them to their day, stuff like that. I found that the little things that somehow didn't matter to me at one point, because of work and having to get there, that rush, rush, rush feeling, actually did matter to the kids. It made a difference in my home for sure. Of course there will be the jealous co workers, but who cares, my concern was my children and what helped me run an effecient home. Right? Work is work and will always have a jealous co-worker for one reason or another, home on the other hand is where you reside most of your life and that always has to be functional and balanced. Good luck on whatever works best for you.
J. curious how do you get in a full 8 hour day and get back by 4pm?
I would go with option b. its only 3 days a week. they feed breakfast and before care is full of activities and she'll have a group of k-5 graders to bond with so she has closer ties to some kids in school. before care helped my daughter make friends in K
My family does your option A and it works great for us. But we are all night people. My kids don't go to bed until 9PM, so I still get a lot of quality time in with the kids, even though I'm not home until late. And, my husband will start making dinner which is essential to avoid hunger meltdown from the kids, since I get home later.
I say to give A try. If this schedule ends up making you totally stressed, you , then switch to plan B.
I honestly think she would enjoy the before school care program. They don't make the kids just sit and be quiet. They often do early morning stuff with them in our school. They do stretches, games, homework, all sorts of stuff.
There is no way I would want to be in your neck of the woods and want to change my schedule so that I could drive in ice and snow all winter. That is rising your life more than driving during daylight hours.
Plus spending the evening together and eating at a resonant hour is important too.
many many many kids get dropped off at child care early in the day and after mom and dad commute to and from work the kids are in child care for nearly 12 hours per day. They might work 8-5 but take a half hour in traffic to get to work. That puts the child in child care as early as 7 or 7:15 then after they get off at 5 it may take them 15 minutes to get in their car and out of the parking lot, then the traffic again. Barring any accidents it's nearly 6 when they get the kids picked up.
It is not the best choice of course but she will be fine to be in before school care. That's not really a long day away for any kids.
Option B sounds better to me. The before care will probably be fun and mellow, and I think getting home earlier benefits the whole family :)
I would go w/ the before school care and whole family will be home around same time - but ultimately it will be what works best for you and your family!
Lord have mercy, 9:30?! Here elem starts 7:45, middle school 8:20 and high school 8:50. 9:20 seems late to start school for any age!
I would go with option B. Sounds like a much less hectic morning, no need to change your work schedule, and everyone is home earlier. The cost doesn't seem to be that much for two hours per day of care.
I would opt for the before school care. The cost is nothing compared to the hassle of everything else and you all will be there after school together for dinner etc.
I believe the before care program seems to be the best. I choose to go to work early and drop the kids off at daycare so that I can get off earlier and spend the evening with them. I find we can spend much more relaxing time in the evenings as mornings are kind of chaotic!!!
I'd go with option b!
I would go with B. $37 a week is a bargain! Everyone home at 4:30!!
I know that 2 hours in the morning at the before school care sounds like a lot, but it's only 3 days a week. Everyone being home around 4:30 sounds great. There are sooooo many things that come up to do in the evenings that getting home earlier would be a great benefit.
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Are you a night or morning person? Especially if you're a night person I would go with Option A - heck with the jealous co-workers. Then you don't have to get going *quite* as early.
When my boys were in school (we homeschool now) the beginning of the day was very important. I think it's great to not have to rush around like crazy. And I'm a big fan of less time in care-giving situations.
Also, if you have a bit more lee-way in the morning it will help you have more time to decide what to do if one of them seems sick. You might even be able to squeeze in an 8:15 or 8:30 doc appt if you needed to.
Good luck and I hope it all goes well and you make the best choice for you guys!
