Here is the situation:
My daughter is 3 and will be going to a Elementary school in August through the FDLRS program. I used to work for my dad so I had flexibility in my schedule when she was sick or had days off she came to work with me. Now I have gotten a new job due to circumstances beyond our control and I will be working 8-5. No biggie, but since she is going to a public school she will have all those vacations, 1 week for Thanksgiving, 2 weeks for Christmas and 1 week for spring break. I obviously can't ask for that kind of time off so I was wondering what working parents due with their children when they are young and have to stay home from school? Both of my parents work and her dads parents live in England and I really don't have a close relationship with someone to ask them to watch her cause that is asking an awful lot.
Any advice is so appreciated!!!!! I have no idea what to do??
Thank you all for your great advice. My mom is going to come live with us so that she can be there for my little one. This way she won't have to go to before and after care and also camp in the summers. I will have someone with her that I can trust and I know that my little one will be so excited cause she loves her Grammy!!!
Thank you once again!!
There are many excellent day care programs for school age children. Many offer pick up service from the school. If you are near Clearwater, try JMAC Kids, 2177 NE Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL, call Charla Bradley for more info ###-###-####. The kids stay so busy with activities they do not have time to be bored. The staff is very caring.
Your going to need daycare in summer as well? I would work something out with daycare that she will attend in summer, the fact that she is three will be difficult as those rooms are typically full, but my school age child just attends the daycare she attends during the summer during those breaks (her three year old sister goes to the daycare part time). Good luck
R.,
I work at Kidstation in Spring Hill. It is a daycare center from infant to age 5 and afterschool as well. We offer childcare for the summer also. Give the owners a call and you can get some more information or come by for a visit. There are a great group of teachers that work there and a family atmosphere as well. They owners are very flexible and will do the best to help accommodate you. Hopefully you live in the area and that we can help you out. The address is 10508 Northcliffe Blvd. Spring Hill, Fl 34608 and phone number ###-###-####.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
M
Hi R.... what school will she be attending? I ask cuz I teach pre k in an elem. school and kids from FDLRS! Maybe you can ask other moms at school when she begins what they do??? where they send their kids if they too are working parents. I have to say though a lot in my program dont. Maybe you can befriend a mom of a child your daughter clicks with and exchange care if she doesnt work???? Its hard I know! I am blessed to have my MIL who watched my little one for me! You may also be able to find a teenager who is off school too at these times looking for some extra $$ that will do it for you???? Good luck! let me know your area and i will see if i can be any help! I am in Pasco co.
Hi R.,
They have after school programs at school but I don't like them because there are so many children, bullying etc. My daughter (6 now) comes home after school but this summer and for other school breaks she goes to the daycare. Check with your local daycares and see what kind of programs they offer. They have fun programs for the kids everyday. Make sure they won't be just sitting around and fending for themselves. Daycares are hurting now and should have vacant spots for after schoolers on a as needed basis.
I hope I helped!
C. B.
It sounds like a good time to start making friends
AND to be looking for a job which is more suitable to your needs. (Working AT the schools works well for some folks).
I waited tables for many of the years my kids were little.
When I worked breakfast, there was no early morning holiday doings we could celebrate as a family. We had to wait until I got home after lunch. When I worked dinner shifts, instead, I missed our tuck-ins at bedtime, but was there for all the daytime needs of breaks/school meetings, etc.
I then started working for myself, to have more flexibility and to be more present to my kids. It turned out I needed to be away from them MORE to keep regular hours at the shop, but I was able to close for holidays
and also could bring them to work with me, if I needed to do so.
Welcome to the big world of juggling. For kids with two INVOLVED terrific parents, consider working different shifts. Doing so is a way to eliminate the need for anyone outside the family to have charge of your treasured children. If you live in separate abodes, it will mean a bit of shuffling around, but I'm sure your child is worth it!
The best I could do for my kids was different than the best you can do for your own. When I needed to work through times when they were home, I also had a neighborhood team of folks, some grandparent age, others were high schoolers, who supported my parenting and took my kids under their wing! (I need not tell you to choose CAREFULLY)
You'll figure it out R..
We all do, one way or another.
(some even move to places they have support)
Good luck hon.
I work basically the same hours and I have my daughter enrolled in before and after care. On holidays they are open all day and they keep your child on holidays, also days that have half days. I dont think they do it on christmas or thanksgiving but most of the other holidays they keep your child.
Try looking for a daycare that has an occasional option. I know that my daycare has this and i have enrolled my son who starts kindergarten this august. I only have to pay when he is there. If you live in the brandon area look into Adventures in Learning ###-###-####. My son has been enrolled here since 1 yrs of age (now 5) and my daughter has been enrolled since she was 8 weeks old (now 2 1/2)
Your daughter might be a little young for this, but a lot of places in Tampa offer child care when school is out. I know that MOSI does this and I think the YMCA also offers this. You might also call a county afterschool program and see what they do. You might also want to look into a daycare and see what options they offer for part-time care.
I have always raised my son on my own so I have always had to work full time. The usual places that offer before and after care usually offer care on school holidays. Since my son started Kindergarten last year, I enrolled him in the PLACE program at his elementary school. They are open most of the days that are school holidays. The very few that they aren't open, I have found coincide with work holidays as well. Which leaves me with only a couple a days a year that I might have to miss work (in which I try to use a vacation day).Ask the elementary school in your area about similar programs or alternative programs for working parents. I know the front office at my son's school keeps a lot of brochures for local daycares and after school programs that the school actually busses the children to and from during the school year (for those not enrolled in the on site childcare program).
Public School gets our before 5:00. What are you doing for after school care? They usually offer something for the kids during the vacation time. Also look into your local community centers. They usually may not offer anything for after school, but will offer something during vacation times. Good Luck!
R.,
I know that Hillsborough county has some sort of after school program, but you have to register for it. I have heard that in many cases there is a long list as well.
My son is getting ready to go to Kindergarten and I am in the same boat as you. I can't take off all that time at work. Right now he goes to a day care that also offers after school programs. They do have daily prices as well as weekly prices so when school is out (like spring break or MLK day, etc) and they are open, I can take him there.
I would do 2 things: 1st - check with the school she will be attending to if they offer the after school program. My son will be attending a private school, so I really don't know much about the public school system - only what I have heard from friends. 2nd - check the day cares that are either close to your work or close to your home to see if they offer daily rates or allow you to drop off during public school holidays.
Outside of these ideas - get ready to take your vacations around the school year vacations! :-) It is funny how I always felt bad for my friends with older children that had to take their family vacations during the times when the kids were out. All the theme parks, beaches, etc. are packed and more expensive. I guess it is our turn now. :-(
Get a good reliable nanny. I've tried many sitters and our nanny is the best. I have three kids under age 7 and she takes them to aquarium, ballet and is amazing with them. Her name is Melissa Stockman and she runs Complete Care Placement and her number is ###-###-####. Tell her I sent you. See the Just For Moms page on my web at www.wheelsoflight.org.
Hi R.!
Sorry you are no loner working for you Dad. It does make things hard.
Not sure what to say as I haven't enrolled our DD yet.
Wanted to say "HI" though...
Here is a thought, our babysitter lives in Clearwater. She may be able to help you out on those times school is closed. Send me a message if you want more info. We have been using her since DD was an infant so almost 5 years!! And she is a good friend to my oldest Daughter.
Hope it all works out.
J.
Maybe a church daycare could be an option. They are usually cheaper and might take drop-in's once in awhile. Ask around and see. I just started back to work part time, but I work while my kids are in school. I can't afford daycare and my parents live up north. One set of in-laws live near us but it's not an option as they work too. Hope you can find something soon.
