Working Parents...?

Question

How do you deal with getting your kids to school, home from school...etc? Especially the small kids. I have been a stay at home mom for 4 yrs now. My oldest two kids are only in preschool, 3X a week, 3 hours a day. I realize that if I go back to work, that means daycare, 35-40 hours a week for my kids. Did your kids go to preschool? Was your daycare equipped to teach preschool/kindergarten? Or did you have some kind of help at home for picking up, bringing to school...etc? The company I am considering has childcare on site--but I don't know how extensive it is. My oldest has learned a lot last year from her preschool, so I would hate to hold her back with "child care" if it is not a teaching environment. Thanks in advance for your feedback. Also, I have tried to find a legit work from hom, or a good PT job, or even something flexible, it's been hard.

Debbie--No idea what you are talking about. I think you have me confused with someone else.

Answer 1

I am also going back full time. My son is at a preschool. They do their lessons in the morning, take a nap, and play outside in the afternoon. So far, my son loves it. My husband and I take turns taking and picking up my son. It sounds like you are happy with your current preschool. Last year, my son was in a half day program. Either my husband or a friend of mine took him to daycare after preschool. Try to find a friend who could drop your children off at the daycare in the afternoon. Finding just the perfect childcare can be difficult. Hang in there. It will all work out.

Answer 2

Actually hospitals are starting a new trend for nurses......... they are offering "school hours....." Meaning mom works from 9 am- 2 ish..... get off in time to go get the kids...........

Im a nurse and i do Home health...... it give me the flexibility I need. And its what i enjoy.

Yes my children went to pre school. It was a private preschool. They went 5 days a week, 4 hours a day, my children both loved it. I would do all my home visits while they were there........... then Id take them to my office and id let them be mommys big helper....... getting paper work ready to go home........ letting them help me staple stuff ..... ( most of which was scrap paper but they thought they were just being such good help........ ) We would be there about an hour......... then we would head for the park, ( If bad weather... we went to the YMCA and swam, or walked the floor, Then went home to fix dinner...............

You will treasure your children even more when they are gone a few hours a day to school........ I will miss mine so bad, and watch the clock until they get out.........

Son 15
daughter 6
daughter 1 1/2 months

Answer 3

I'm a working, single mom of 6 year old twins. It can be a struggle, but I do it because I have to. I know of some parents who arrange their shifts like mom works 7-3 and dad works 9-5; so that baby is only in care from like 8:30-3:30. For me, because their dad is not that involved, that doesn't work. So, my kids are in care from 7:30-5.

Most daycare centres put a strong emphasis on education and healthy development of the "whole child", but look around and ask the right questions. See how knowledgeable the staff is. Does the centre only hire E.C.E. graduates, or will they hire anyone with some childcare experience? Also, you could look into a home daycare. Yes, there are plenty of crappy ones, but there are also some amazing ones out there.

You don't say how many kids you have, but I'm guessing 3; have you considered a live-out nanny? Paying for 3 kids in daycare is usually more than paying $12-13/hour for a nanny. And having a nanny would make life easier for you; no rushing around in the morning, dragging kids out of bed and hurrying them through breakfast and out the door, nannies often do some of the housework and supper prep, because she works for you - you can leave her/tell her specific things you want her to do with the kids, and you know that your kids will be getting more attention.

Answer 4

Have you thought about becoming a nanny? I have 2 nanny jobs and I love it because I can take my son with me and he gets used to being around other kids, and they pay is pretty good. You don't have to pay taxes, unless the parents are going to claim it on their's. I charge $250 a week for one child and $300 a week for two kids, or you can do a nanny-share, in which the two people pay half of the weekly wages, like if you are watching 2 kids, each parent would pay $150 a week each, depending on how many kids you have to watch. If you have a mini-van this would be a great job. Check on craigslist.com. They have a childcare section. You can also help out other parents that need kids dropped off or picked up from school.

Answer 5

My daycare teaches the same thing that preschools do. They also offer junior kindergarten on site. I love my daughter's daycare. I am currently on mat leave with baby #2, but I have left my 3-year old in daycare 3 days/week as she just loves it.
Shop around, you will find childcare that suits your requirements.

Answer 6

My kids were in daycare from 7 months old. They have great social and languague skills, and are happy well adjusted children. My 7 yr old does very well in school, and my 4 yr old can't wait for "big" school. For little kids it's not as much about the curriculum as being with people who care about them, a good predictable routine, safety, and an opportunity to learn through play. A good preschool/daycare teacher will create opportunities to learn through play (beware of flashcards and too many "academics" for little kids!)

Answer 7

I put my daughter in a preschool/daycare. I work
in a school so the hours were great. My daughter
didn't like being left in the morning but she got over it in 5 minutes. She is now 16 and is well
adjusted. She tells me she loves me all the time
and is a delight to be around. Check to see if
the company childcare has credited teachers/
caregivers. Check out what their curiculium is.
You may want to start with her there until she is older and then enroll her in preschool.

Answer 8

Hey, are you sure you're ready for something like that? The home nursing group won't let you work part-time? I hope that you're not planning on doing full RN duties so soon after Deanna's birth and your cancer surgery.

I sent Kim to K-4, at a private elementary school. She was too ready for school to keep her home another year. It was 3 days 9-3, I think. Then we paid for her to ride the bus to and from public school (K) so I wouldn't have to cart her. She could have walked, but I don't think an unescorted 5 yo is a good idea, so we put her on the bus, and it dropped her in front of our house. The next year, she was mature enough to walk. I escorted her sometimes.

I know it's hard. Your medical bills must be tremendous, even if you have insurance. Joel's surgery was $45,000 and we had to pay around $5000. Just don't put yourself back in the hospital by returning to FT work too soon. I wish I could help, but from here, probably not.

Take care and kiss the baby for me (right after her bath when she smells so good!),
Debbie

Answer 9

Try childminding. it will reward your children with company. and being at home with mummy.
and i charge £5ph per child. and care for 3 children other than my own two who are 2 and 4. i earn £15 an hour being at home for my children. and i am my own boss.
I have even been able to get a new people carrier through my business!!
kirstie

Answer 10

Did you try sell online? I started on ebay 2 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first boy. First, I started to sell things that I have in my home that I didn't use, but then, the thing started to grow and grow and I needed my husband's help because was too much stuffs to pack and shipping... then we stopped to sell our stuffs, and we focused just in small electronics. And then we discovered a bunch of sites to sell online for free (ebay and paypal charge you too much to use their services). And here I am pregnant again, taking care of my 15-months-old, working at home and enjoing each phase of my baby's life... Good luck!