The Routine
So, we decided after two unsuccessful attempts at getting a nanny that, basically, I cannot handle not knowing what happens in my house during the day. We have decided on different care options for the boys, based on their needs, on what is available and how things fit with our lifestyle.
Todd and I are switching off shifts: I work from 7 am - 3 pm then race home to get the boys from their respective schools. Todd works from 9:30 - 5:30 and races home for 5:45 for supper. Despite the concerns that we had going in, we seem to have settled into a routine: I have not yet been late for getting the boys and, in fact, now have a trade off going with one of our neighbours where he gets my two oldest from the same school as his son and I pick up his daughter from the same school as my youngest. It stops the Amazing Race of Stress that was going on during the first week and each of the kids is getting home from school with an adult.
Keegan is in the Montessori Program in Ottawa and while it is different from my parenting style, the teachers are kind and the ratio is 1:6 - much better than the school system. He is learning academics as well as social skills in preparation for JK. We have not decided whether or not we will have him continue for JK and SK at the school but we can see how the year progresses.
Aiden is at a girlfriend's house for mornings Tues - Fri. While she only has a daughter at home that is Keegan's age, Aiden is happy to be the leader in the house and she is out every morning at an activity of some sort: from gymnastics to the chocolate factory. On Monday's he has a special day and visits with one of his friends from his class last year. These kids are soul mates and are not in the same class this year so it is nice for them to have a day together.
For Liam, he gets to walk in with a grade six boy. Being in grade three, life could not get any better than that. And, he is picked up by the father mentioned above but they are not even home before I arrive with the other bundle of kids. Effectively, he does not have or need before/after school care and that is great.
We are starting to enlist my sister for help during PD days and we figure between her schedule, and ours, we can cover most PD days and holidays. Todd is going to take off the two weeks at Christmas and I will take off the March break. We are still going to be looking for options in the summer but that is miles away. Who knows what can happen before that point. The nice thing is that every year things will get easier than this year and frankly, going into October, this year is not all that hard.
Whew. There is light at the end of the daycare tunnel!
Todd and I are switching off shifts: I work from 7 am - 3 pm then race home to get the boys from their respective schools. Todd works from 9:30 - 5:30 and races home for 5:45 for supper. Despite the concerns that we had going in, we seem to have settled into a routine: I have not yet been late for getting the boys and, in fact, now have a trade off going with one of our neighbours where he gets my two oldest from the same school as his son and I pick up his daughter from the same school as my youngest. It stops the Amazing Race of Stress that was going on during the first week and each of the kids is getting home from school with an adult.
Keegan is in the Montessori Program in Ottawa and while it is different from my parenting style, the teachers are kind and the ratio is 1:6 - much better than the school system. He is learning academics as well as social skills in preparation for JK. We have not decided whether or not we will have him continue for JK and SK at the school but we can see how the year progresses.
Aiden is at a girlfriend's house for mornings Tues - Fri. While she only has a daughter at home that is Keegan's age, Aiden is happy to be the leader in the house and she is out every morning at an activity of some sort: from gymnastics to the chocolate factory. On Monday's he has a special day and visits with one of his friends from his class last year. These kids are soul mates and are not in the same class this year so it is nice for them to have a day together.
For Liam, he gets to walk in with a grade six boy. Being in grade three, life could not get any better than that. And, he is picked up by the father mentioned above but they are not even home before I arrive with the other bundle of kids. Effectively, he does not have or need before/after school care and that is great.
We are starting to enlist my sister for help during PD days and we figure between her schedule, and ours, we can cover most PD days and holidays. Todd is going to take off the two weeks at Christmas and I will take off the March break. We are still going to be looking for options in the summer but that is miles away. Who knows what can happen before that point. The nice thing is that every year things will get easier than this year and frankly, going into October, this year is not all that hard.
Whew. There is light at the end of the daycare tunnel!
posted by y-vonne at 7:30 AM
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