Any working moms commute via Metro with kids?

[Anonymous]

OP here -- I didn't think you were crazy, and I appreciate hearing all views while I weigh the decision.

I would be going nine stops on the Red Line, from Grosvenor to Farragut North. The plus of a long trip is that usually the last car is pretty empty when I get on, and a ton of people get off at FN so I can just go with the flow.

But now that I think about it, I did a sort-of "test run" a couple of weeks ago when I took both kids down to the Mall in a double stroller. It went fine until we got to Metro Center and had to wait 15 minutes for a connection. By the time we got to Smithsonian I was dripping with sweat. And this was after rush hour!

It also occurred to me that before long I'll be potty training the youngest kid and that will not be fun during the commute! When the older one was training we had plenty of car rides home that had to be interrupted to run into a gas station. And the car ride is only 10 minutes -- what do people do about pottying on the Metro? I would have a 45-minute walk-plus-metro ride home!

Thanks for all the honest feedback!

[Anonymous]

Hello again from the mother who's too big a wimp to do it regularly with two:

For potty-training, have your child use the potty before leaving the center, then wear a diaper for the trip home. Station managers are have the discretion to let people use the bathrooms in Metro stations, but you never know whether a particular manager is going to let you use it. And none of that helps once you're on the train.

[Anonymous]

I'm 8.5 months pregnant and can't get a seat on metro to save my life. It drives me nuts - and wears me out. I'm literally exhausted when I get to work every morning. (I'm giving it up at the end of this smartrip card. I'd like to be more fiscally and environmentally responsible, but I just can't imagine keeping this up.)

Those of you braving the rampant rudeness on metro with kids are better/stronger women than I. I'd only do it in an emergency. My hat is off to you.

[Anonymous]

OP here again --

When I was pregnant, I would just ask nicely for a seat, and people always stood up for me. Some people don't notice, or they're worried about offending someone who just looks pregnant.

So, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and accept the spots in the school downtown. We discussed it and just think our kids' education is the higher priority. Or at least, it's worth trying to make it work. If the commute is absolutely miserable we can always change back.

Wish me luck!!

[Anonymous]

People very rarely offered me a seat when I was pregnant, but once I had an actual separate life form with me, people were flying out of their seats to offer them to us.

Here's hoping!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again --

When I was pregnant, I would just ask nicely for a seat, and people always stood up for me. Some people don't notice, or they're worried about offending someone who just looks pregnant.

So, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and accept the spots in the school downtown. We discussed it and just think our kids' education is the higher priority. Or at least, it's worth trying to make it work. If the commute is absolutely miserable we can always change back.

Wish me luck!!

Can your dh help out with the commute at all? Drop you off in the AM or pick you all up in the PM, etc?

[Anonymous]

PP - that's an ideal situation - to only have to commute one-way.

As for seats - you probably won't want one with a stroller, but you'll find that people are somewhat nicer to babies than they are to pregnant women.

As for potty-training - yes on going before leaving the center, and I have never had a station manager tell me no to a bathroom request (big brown eyed three-year olds have that effect on people). While you're in the beginning stages of training, put DC in a diaper on the way home, but you'll eventually be able to leave it behind. Just bring extra clothes!

[Anonymous]

OP here:

Thanks, those are great tips!

Yes, DH has said he'll do the drop off and pick up on Mondays and Thursdays, when he works in DC, not Rockville.

[Anonymous]

If you start your commute at Grosvenor you are in luck because every other train starts empty. I have been commuting with my baby Grosvenor to King Street. I wait for the Grosvenor trains at Gallery Place rather than try to cram on the Shady Grove train with everyone else. I also try to sit in the seat that is tucked away behind the panel when the train has them. The stroller stays out of traffic that way and we can sit and do our thing. The end car on the way home is the way to go too because it is near the elevator but I take the first car in the morning for the same reason with no problem.

So far so good but she isn't old enough to protest. I usually read to her and play. I try to view it as quality time rather than just as commuting. I also hate to drive so I put up with the downsides to Metro. I see lots of other parents and kids doing the same. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

The "Crazy Lady" isn't crazy.

I've seen many parents with kids, and many of the kids really aren't hacking it (some are fine, but the OP doesn't know which kind of kids she has until she tries). The day gets long if you add a commute. I think you are deluding yourself if you expect it to count as quality time - you might be lucky, but more likely you won't be. For some kids it works, but many on the train like plenty unhappy. Babies handle it better than toddlers.

We found it much better to stagger our hours and keep the boy in VA all day.