Just wondering how working parents manage their Childcare drop off and pick ups? I'm due to return to full time work in a week. I have arranged my work times to be 8am to 4.30pm with my employer so it works with the Childcare centres opening times but I think my daughter will be one of the first children to be dropped off and one of the last ones to be picked up. In order for me to get to work on time I need to drop her off when the centre opens at 6.45am and then the earliest I can make it there is 5.45pm to pick her up again. I work in the city so I need to go back home then catch a bus to work, as you can imagine that whole process takes a long time. She is only 9months old so am really worried it's just to long for her.
How do other parents do it so their children spend the least amount of time there each day?
My husband is unable to do drop offs and pick ups most days as is is self employed and works an average of 12 each day on the road and then at least another 3 hours from home.
Childcare drop off and pick ups
Childcare drop off and pick ups
Posted in:
Parenthood Guilt
6 Replies
I use to drop my son off at 630 I would be out the front waiting for the gates to open each morning. For the morning I would let him sleep in while I was up and getting ready having breakky then I would get him dressed and off we'd go he'd have breakky at daycare thst would cut down the time in the mornings.
Mondays and tuesdays were the latest days he was in often between 530 and 630
The hardest thing I found was the night time trying to get dinner sorted and spend time with him aswell. I'd definitely recommend making meals ahead of time it will be a massive help.
Can you get him into a daycare closer to work in the city? The thing I struggled with most was how much time I missed out on it felt like most days I'd pick him up feed him and he was straight to bed
My daughter goes to daycare at around 7 and gets picked up after 5 and she has never been the first or last one there, you'd be surprised how many parents are in the same situation you are!
I used to do first drop off & they were great. I'd let her sleep & bundle her up as we left & they'd give her breakfast & dress her ans sometimes make her hair all pretty. She had a really special bond with her carer from that time together.
What are the chances they have room for you to leave your car there or nearby and you catch the bus to the city from there? Saves all that extra travel time if the bus timetable/route works with your plans :)
Please dont feel bad. Not everyone can be nor want to be stay at home mums for the rest of our lives... my son is in grade 1 and he is the first one at before school care every morning and sometimes the last one to be picked up of the afternoon. Such is life. You are doing an excellent job and your child will love you for it.
The other thought process is, is there any capacity for you to reduce your hours to part time, or to find work closer to home in order to reduce the amount of time in child care? It is a tough gig getting through those early years, so good luck