Kindergarten Orientation: Have to Bring Younger Kids

If you have sick child you need to find a sitter. I know it can be hard (we don't have family near us) but you would be spreading germs to other families.

I always got a sitter for my other children when I had to go to K orientation.
It was a time to focus on that one child with no interruptions. Do you have
a friend you could leave the younger ones with? I would do my best to find
a sitter, but if you cannot, I guess take them with you.

Not crazy to do this, but still... I wouldn't. This orientation is for the parents and the children entering the school - not younger siblings. Even if your younger kids don't distract you, they'll distract other people. Also, it's not really right to bring a sick child to a public event.

As hard as it is, you need to find a sitter.

There's really no one to watch them? Couple of problems... bringing a sick child into a school is a no-no. Second, just because you do everything with your kids doesn't mean that others want to do everything with your kids.

Do you have a neighbor or friend who can come with you and play on the playground while you are at orientation? I have run K-screenings for many years and lots of parents bring their little ones. The only thing I will tell you is that it's hard to pay attention and focus on asking good questions when you are trying to keep you little ones quiet and non-distracting to everyone else.

If you're second-guessing this already then it's probably not a good idea.

My oldest is going in a month and I'm planning on leaving my younger two with a sitter. I usually bring the whole brood with me when I go *anywhere*, but this is one instance where I feel like my oldest needs and deserves some individual attention.

If there's no one you know personally to watch your kids, what about a nearby drop-in daycare? Call ahead and arrange to drop your younger two off for a few hours. I think it'll be worth it.

Should be fine as long as they are not disruptive. If they are you should definitely walk out of the room and stand in the hallway. Its not fair to the other parents who are there to hear about Kindergarten-OR the speakers-if a baby is crying.

Did the school request no siblings? If not, my only concern would be you bringing a sick child adn exposing everyone else to the germs. If they specifically asked for no siblings, then you really need to find a sitter. Do you have any neighbors or friends who could watch them for you? What about drop-in care? My son's school specifically asked for no siblings and my husband has to use a vacation day. I would be a little frustrated to see everyone else bring siblings while my husband burned a vacation day. If you really are in a bind, maybe call the school and explain the situation and see if it's okay with them to bring the kiddos.

Take them in a stroller with a snack and a drink..Stay close to an exit.

If they get restless, just excuse yourself.
I am sure they will have lots of handouts and if you have questions, make a list and email the Principal or the school.

Do you have no neighbors?
I would really try to find someone so that I could concentrate. WHen mine went through Kinder orientation we were asked all four times, 4 different districs, 4 different states to not bring smaller children.
THis is also supposed to be time for you to concentrate on your oldest.

Hire a babysitter, find a teen you can trust, try church. Try to find someone. Is there only one orientation? If there are two go to one and keep someones little ones then she can keep yours.

I would do everything possible to find a babysitter. I remember it was pretty annoying to have families there at orientation who disregarded the rules and brought siblings. The kids would make noise and it was hard to hear.

Any drop-in only childcare centers in your area?

I agree with the stroller idea if you absolutely have no one to leave them with. I'd hate for all the kids to get sick. You might even think about skipping the orientation and asking if you can come in at a later date to get the info and take the tour when you will be able to arrange a sitter or at least not have to bring a sick kid.

Our school doesn't allow younger siblings. Does yours? I thought it was standard not to. A couple of people ignored the rule and brought theirs and we all thought it was incredibly rude. Everyone has trouble finding babysitters etc. My spouse had to stay home with our youngest. If your school allows it, then go ahead and hope for the best and just leave if needed. You won't miss all that much... If it's not allowed though, please follow the rule and don't make yourself an exception.

call the school and see what they say. i had my daughters orientation 2 years ago, and i'm pretty sure that there were some babies there. no toddlers, but babies. pretty sure i remember one crying :). i'm bummed because my kids are going to a new school next year and my youngest has orientation on the same day my daughter has her awards show, and i'm the only one right now who can do both. i'm stressing out!

You won't be the only one with other siblings there. It'll be fine.
If you really have a bad feeling, is there someone you can drop the sick one off with? A grandparent or someone you trust who wouldn't mind the fact that he/she is sick? Even if you don't have that option, it will work out okay. Most things are written down as a handout for the parents. In my experience, there is often an envelope or folder with papers inside that you will get to bring home with you to keep.

The worst part was always having to fill out paperwork. The teachers often have a little sheet that they ask you to fill out with information they use to know your child better and it will include more information than your registration packet. Things like favorite colors, if you have pets, siblings, personality traits, etc. But also the preferred contact information. So be sure you get that paperwork done first, then if you need to you can probably slip out in the hall until the end.

If you feel that you can handle it, then I don't think it should be a problem.

I have brought my children to orientations. Just make sure to bring some snacks or toys that they can play with.

Bring your younger kids? Yes.

Bring your sick kids? No - how incredibly selfish of you!

"if I stayed home with my sick kids all the time well we woudn't get out".

Well, since it's all about you this shouldn't really surprise me. You are getting rude responses because taking your SICK kid to school where you will expose everyone else's kid is selfish and rude. Are you going to watch all their sick kids when they come down with whatever they caught from your kid? If you can't find a sitter stay home, and keep your germs home with you. The school is just fine with kids in tow - did you mention they were contagious kids? Somehow I doubt it.

ETA: Good Lord! I just read some of your previous posts - you are taking your kids out in public with strep & ringworm? So glad you live a couple states away so I don't have to worry about bumping into your infectious kids at the mall play area.

Lots of people brought younger kids to orientation. They just sat in the back and did what they had to do. Don't worry about it.

I go next week and my one year old is going with me. I would think that they would be used to this happening. My husband and I are both going and the school is 2 minutes from our house with daycare being 20 minutes away ~ 40 minute round trip, not happening especially with gas prices and then us having to again drive by the daycare to drop my son off then go to work. I just looked at my registration packet that they sent us and no where on ours do they ask that you not bring any younger siblings, they do ask that you bring your child (that should have been obvious, but I know it is there for a reason). I am not concerned about taking my daughter, but when I first posted I didn't realize that you said one was sick ~ that would be the only issue I would have, unless it was just a common cold.

I'd try to find a sitter, that is the ideal. But if I couldn't I would just make the best of it with the siblings in tow. We Moms do our best, but sometimes all sibs have to be someplace with us for another family member's benefit. Bring snacks and small toys, whatever busying things you think will keep your youngers comfortable and amused while they wait. As long as you make a quick exit if either become disruptive, 99% of the people will completely understand. If your child who is sick is contagious, I would keep her close to you and don't let her mingle or go off on the playground with the other kids. Easier said than done! If you know any other families, maybe they would agree to stay and take your oldest home afterwards because you will want to leave quickly instead of staying around to socialize/play after the parent talk/info session. Good luck!

We have always had to take all the kids when doing school stuff, teachers meetings, PTA, parties, enrollment. They are in the kid business, they expect all the kids to attend this stuff. If your kids are rowdy heathens then keep the visit short and don't worry about anything but making sure they don't diminish the visit for other parents.

Sometimes as a parent you have no choice but to take the younger kids (or not go at all). Where I live, there is no such thing as "drop in" care in any of the child care centers. I have tried hiring sitters before (searched through websites, groups, etc.) and the average cost for hourly care during the day is $40 an hour per child, which is absolutely not a possibility for us to pay (we did eventually find an evening sitter who only charges $10 an hour, but she is not available during the day). The lack of availability of affordable hourly childcare is a huge problem, but until something is done about it, sometimes bringing younger siblings to events is the only option. You could also call the school and ask if they prefer you 1) not bring your older child at all or 2) bring the younger siblings or 3) ask if they know of someone who would trade childcare or provide low-cost childcare. Due to my husband's job, we've lived in five different states/countries in the past five years, so we never live near family or have time to make long-term friends so we've never had someone who would just watch our kids for free or low-cost. It drives me nuts when parents scoff at me and they've got extended family around who watch their kids all the time for free - we all need to judge everyone else less.