I'm a new divorced, forced into the work front mom. It's my first day of work and, oddly enough, my children's school was first delayed by 2 hours and then canceled. I did not plan on this as it is less than 2 inches of snow and nothing to call school off for. I am originally from Cleveland and am used to school being in session in blizzard like conditions! Anyhow... my kids are at that in between age where they aren't quite old enough to stay by themselves. One more year and my daughter could babysit her younger brother.
I want to know how badly it looks for me that I couldn't make it in. They are aware of my situation with my kids and my schedule as I informed them up front that I need to work around a certain schedule. They are willing to allow me to come in tomorrow for oreintation, but I worry that this may happen more frequently than I originally thought.
What do others do when school is canceled last minute and you need to go to work and have no sitter?
2007-12-05 00:43:59 · 7 answers · asked by Penny's from Heaven 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I need to add that even the day cares out here have closed or delayed opening.
I live in the country about 5 minutes from the next town and school and 15 minutes from the big town.
I am new to the area as well, but am going to call the school tomorrow to check and see if there are any moms/grandmas that could help me.
2007-12-05 01:48:02 · update #1
there are no easy fixes for today. However this will be a constant stress for you, trust me. The best thing to do is line up several people who can cover in a pinch. Find some stay at home moms at school and see if they can help you out on days like this. Try running an ad for a teenager who can help out when there is no school. In our district the kids are out of school on average 2days a month for school closings.
2007-12-05 02:20:54 · answer #1 · answered by billie b 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't look as bad as you might think - your employer will want a responsible person, not one who'd happily leave kids who are too young home alone.
What I do: sometimes I take my kids into the office with me (they think being allowed to play on the computer all morning is the best thing since sliced bread, since they're never allowed to at home!). Sometimes I can work at home. Also I do slightly more than the hours I'm paid for because I'm paid a whole number of hours, but I tend to be in work for about an extra twenty minutes a day because there's no point me going home in between the end of my work hours and collecting the kids. We don't tally them up, but it's considered that this makes up for the times when I have to stay home to look after a sick child from school etc.
If your kids are borderline old enough to look after themselves, perhaps you could ask a neighbour, not to look after them, but just if she'd be someone they can go to if something happens?
2007-12-05 08:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well if i apsolutly have nooo sitter, i have no choice but to phone in work. As hard as it is, you gotta do what you gotta do. I think you should start looking for a babysitter though, a neighbor, a family member, another parent from the kids class, and find out if something happens like this again, if the kids could go there for the day..... i find it odd too that a school would close with so little snow, we can have 3 feet of snow and the kids still go, they just are not alloud to play outside if its below minus 30...
call work for today if you have too, then see if you can find someone who is available to watch the kids on other occations should this happen again
2007-12-05 08:52:17 · answer #3 · answered by louie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You obviously have no choice but to stay home today but you need to find someone you can call in case of emergencies like this otherwise your work will tire of this. Talk to other moms at the school and find out if any of the stay at home moms would be willing to be a back up for you if you need them. There are also going to be PA days, school holidays, etc. so you need to find someone to watch them periodically during the school year.
2007-12-05 09:17:31 · answer #4 · answered by Bears Mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
See im not sure if this will help seeing as im from the uk but my mum used to drop me of at this day group thing when i was little and school was cancelled or when school was out.
so maybe search your area for a place like that and explain your situation and see if they could help you out every now and then.
2007-12-05 08:49:40 · answer #5 · answered by undearian 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good Luck..........I lost my job due to the same thing! Most employers want you there to work......they understand your situation, true but eventually it will get old and they need someone who will be responsible....not to say that you arent. Check around get a back up babysitter if you can or maybe a relative.
2007-12-05 08:48:49 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to single motherhood! Whenever my daughter doesn't have school, I just bring her into my office with me (with lots of quiet activities to keep her occupied). It would of course depend on your kids, and your work environment.
Good luck!
2007-12-05 11:55:52 · answer #7 · answered by daa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋