2 working parents - how do you handle drop off/pick up from school? archived

I'm asking this at this time for several reasons. First my daughter will enter Kindergarten next year and first grade the year after, and it seems I need to figure something out as early as possible.

Secondly, I'm being offered a job that would increase my job satisfaction about 110%, but would decrease my family time flexibility a little - I'd need to be in Newark by 8am - and school starts at 8:30am - my partner works in the city.

How do people do this? Even if I don't change jobs, I'd have to be at my job in Irvington by 8:30, and school (Clinton) starts at 8:30...

How do people work this stuff out? Regardless, I'd be able to be home by 4pm, which means I'd also miss pick up.

I've been dreading how to figure this stuff out - but does anyone have a plan they'd like to share? When I see the tons of parents walking their kids to school in the morning, Im so envious, and wish I could have a job that would allow me to do that - but either way, I have to think that other families have had to come up with alternate plans, no?

The other issue is whether it's worth it to take this new job with the 20 minute-longer commute and less flexibility...let me just say, my current job is VERY stressful, but does allow me a significant amount of flexibility, which means I can run out to do an errand, or see my daughter's halloween parade and get back to work pretty easily. The new employer says they're very family friendly, which I believe, but there's nothing like the flexibility that I have now...

Thanks -- need to give a response about this job by Monday, and though I think I'd be more satisfied job-wise, I have to think about my family first, of course.

When my child was at Clinton (4th grade) I paid for the onsite before care option provided by, I think, the Y. I think it was open prior to 8 -- maybe 7:30. After school program at Clinton is a diff group.

Best course, though, may be to talk to someone at the Clinto HSA or school. Just know that there are options that work. Many -- maybe most -- Clinton parents work and use such services.Don't let that need keep you from a happier job that will make you a happier parent to your child.

Tuscan and Seth Boyden also have before and after school programs for children whose parents work. I think the earliest a.m. dropoff time is 7:30 and the latest evening pickup is around 5:30 (maybe later, I'm not sure). The programs are not run by the schools, but you can usually get information about them or a contact number to call from the school secretary.

On half days, the afterschool programs would be open at the earlier dismissal time and run until the usual end time. In the morning, the kids might have a snack and some quiet activities, in the afternoon they have time to do homework, or crafts and there is typically some Gym or outside play time factored in, too.

The whole district has the After School Program - it runs until 6pm 5 days a week (and fills in until 6pm on the many 1/2 days scheduled throughout the year). It costs $180 per month which I think is a bargain - expect that it increases usually $10 each year. We have had a very good experience with the ASP at Clinton - it is run by Mrs. Bennett who has been there for years and is wonderful with kids. The kindergarten ASP goes off site to a central spot I believe although not sure what the procedure is for the kids who get into full day K at Clinton.

There is also, as Cynical mentioned, a before care option but I have no experience with it but I think it's all run together and you just pay extra for the before care.

The Clinton ASP is always full and you get in via lottery - make sure to call the ASP and put the application deadline on your calendar.

An alternative to ASP is the YMCA, and yes, the YMCA runs the before school program. That karate club on Parker and Valley also does an after school program.

I believe that all of the elementary schools have some form of Before School program starting at or about 7:30. At some of the schools it is run by the Y (but you don't have to use the other Y childcare to be eligible). At some of the schools it is run by the PTA or at least that was the case at both Tuscan and Seth Boyden a few years ago. (My kids are now in Middle School and High School but I know this was true at SB two years ago.) I know that Clinton's BSP was done by the Y. Not sure about the others, but I'm 99% sure that they all have something like that.

You are not alone, by a long-shot, with this issue--I started worrying about how my son would get to middle school when he was in daycare.

The Before Care at Clinton starts at 7:30 AM. That only gives 1/2 hour to get to Newark, but if that is not enough and when your child is a bit older (probably not now) they can stand out side for a few minutes and/or you can try explain the situation to your new employer you can probably do it. Sometimes my son got stuck waiting out there in the morning (when I had to catch a train) and I felt bad, but he'd feel worse if I did not have a job. Also, there was one child that was stuck waiting a very long time in the cold because his parent had a long commute.

I think many companies are better about child-care issues than they used to be (mine is very flexible at the moment--although sometimes I need to be a certain meetings at specific non-convenient times), but probably some are not. If it is a deal-breaker for the job you should at least ask.

If you can't make the after school pickup you might be able to arrange/pay another parent in the same aftercare program to take your child home with them. If it is going to be a close call you should collect lots of cell phone numbers and have back-ups arranged for when you get stuck in traffic. I was uncomfortable doing that (I'm neurotic about asking for help) but it does make the arrangements more secure and relaxed.

I'm lucky as the bus picks up and drops off my girl @ the sitters house.

Is there a neighbor or friend you can work an arrangement with? We used the before school program and at one time also had an arrangement with a neighbor. We ultimately arranged our schedules so that my husband dropped off (going in a lttle later) and I picked up. We also used the after school program which does indeed run till 6pm.

Good Luck

My kids had a sitter who lived across from school. They also had a sitter on the bus route. Both of these options work quite well if you don't have before school or after school care, as we did not at that time.

Oh, yeah, the one drop off the other pick up is a good one to try for.

You have to have two cooperative work situations for that one, so the drop of can get in late (and work later) and the pickup can leave early (and start earlier).

Also, if you need a later than 6:00 PM pick-up I think the Y goes to 6:30 or maybe even 7:00 for more money.