Single Moms? Before/after school care?

Carlalily · Mar 20, 2015

Is there any way the child without Aspergers can go to the same school as the child with Aspergers ? That is a horrendous commute and then you have to get to your job!! Wow. I have heard of travel services in large cities that transport children, but then you have to have a place to send them to. Do you work nights, days or ????

Farawyn · Mar 20, 2015

I would call the schools and see if they have anything to offer, or any ideas. We have a Boys and Girls club right in town so I was always very lucky. You do need a Plan B. Best of luck to you!

Pebanj · Mar 20, 2015

Thank you for your reply :)

The school my older child goes to is a school for kids with learning differences, my youngest does not qualify and goes to a school for highly gifted kids (he's been radically accelerated, the public school doesn't know what to do with him) and I'd really hate to take him out of the only place he's ever found kids who really get him.

I work rotating days/nights, 12 hour shifts, full-time.

I think it boils down to me needing to pay someone to transport, but my oldest also needs someone to work with him on homework since he gets so lost and gets nothing done on his own - he's rigid in his thinking and refuses to work on it during the commute (so frustrating!). I don't know if a typical "nanny" would transport or be able to help with the advanced coursework my 14 year old brings home, or the occasional advanced coursework my 10 year old brings home (he gets almost all of his work done either at school or during the commute, and rarely needs help).

I think I'm going to need to start looking for someone, even if it's just one day a week to get my family used to someone new, while giving my mom a bit of a break. Then, if my mom is sick or something happens it will be an easier transition.

I just don't know how to find someone to meet our needs or realistically what I can expect to pay.

Pebanj · Mar 20, 2015

There is no before/after care at my 14yo's school.

Before care starts at 7 and ends at 6 at my 10yo's school.

Right now whoever is taking the kids will leave at 7:15, drop off the youngest by 7:45 and drop off the oldest by 8:30.

School starts for both at 8:30.

In the afternoon, the oldest is picked up at 3:20, and then the youngest is picked up afterward - he gets out at 3:15, but goes to after care until he can be picked up.

There are some after school clubs, but they just complicate/confuse my mom so we keep them to a minimum. Both kids take music lessons one day a week after school. That's it. On my 14yo's music day, my youngest is picked up first.

Farawyn · Mar 20, 2015

I work in a public high school. A lot of our seniors here that have good grades, etc, the honor school kids, do tutor and/or even mentor all kind of kids. Again, ask your school. I don't know what the liability of a kid driving another kid around, but maybe something can be worked out.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 20, 2015

I would call the schools and see if they have anything to offer, or any ideas. We have a Boys and Girls club right in town so I was always very lucky. You do need a Plan B. Best of luck to you!

Yes my first step would be to call the schools. They probably have a couple leads for you.

I always went to the Boys and Girls club as a kid when my parents were both working full-time. It was awesome and probably not too expensive (my parents were pretty low-income back then).

Check out Care.com. They post an array of options like transport and after school care individuals in your area for what you might be looking at and you can see prices up front and you can do background checks on anyone you might be interested in.

Pebanj · Mar 20, 2015

I'm a fairly new grad (less than a year), and I'd like to become a nurse practitioner so staying in a hospital is really the best long-term career move for me.

I've been wondering if school nursing would be better for my family though, that way I could do all of the driving and meet everyone's needs without relying on others.

It would be a pay cut. A big one. It would also kill my ideal career trajectory.

Is it worth it, though?

Or should I just cross my fingers and pray that my mom stays healthy enough to keep driving/helping?

Farawyn · Mar 20, 2015

I'm a fairly new grad (less than a year), and I'd like to become a nurse practitioner so staying in a hospital is really the best long-term career move for me.
I've been wondering if school nursing would be better for my family though, that way I could do all of the driving and meet everyone's needs without relying on others.
It would be a pay cut. A big one. It would also kill my ideal career trajectory.
Is it worth it, though?
Or should I just cross my fingers and pray that my mom stays healthy enough to keep driving/helping?

No to the last.

I would say no to school nursing t this point if it is not on your radar.

Trey other options first. You are not the first single mother with childcare issues and you won't be the last. There is an answer or plan for everyone.

Loo17 · Mar 20, 2015

I often wonder the same thing. I work 7a-7p and have a plan for days I work but no back up plan. Before school care starts at 6:30am but I would need to drop off the youngest at 6a to get to work on time. I am single and don't have neighbors I could ask. Its a tough spot to be in, I can relate!