How much to pay for someone to pick my kid up from school and take her to dance?

[Anonymous]

I am looking to return to work, and am trying to figure out how to get my middle schooler from school to her dance studio which is a mile away. She gets out of school at 3pm and I wouldn't be getting off work till five. This would only take about 45 minutes to an hour total (including waiting in the parent pick up line), but I would have to pay enough to make it worthwhile for someone to devote the time to it. I'm really at a loss for how much to pay. Also, I'm not even sure what to call the position. It's really not a babysitter. Do I say I'm looking for an after school chauffeur?

[Anonymous]

Are there any kids in the studio at the same middle school? Could you post a wanted ad on the studio's Facebook parent group? Is there a parent group you could ask if anyone goes past that school on their way?

Is walking an option? Or could she walk a bit to meet the driver so they don't have to wait in the pick-up line?

I would say you're looking for an after school driver.

[Anonymous]

Local college student?

[Anonymous]

Are you certain you can’t carpool? Friend’s mom drop her off on the way home? (Someone must be heading that way) Or could she ride her bike? A mile is not far.

[Anonymous]

This topic has been covered tons of times and the general consensus is you have to pay a ton of money to make it worth anyone's while to do this. I would see if she could do a carpool or walk (why can't she walk a mile)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you certain you can’t carpool? Friend’s mom drop her off on the way home? (Someone must be heading that way) Or could she ride her bike? A mile is not far.

+1

I’d ask another parent- who is headed that way anyway- to drop her off. Assuming you know people at the school fairly well?

Then I’d offer to pay, the other parent would refuse, so I’d keep them flush with gift cards.

[Anonymous]

Is it not walkable? A mile isn’t far.

[Anonymous]

An elementary schooler, I understand. But a middle schooler should be able to walk a mile. Otherwise, pay ~$20 per day?

[Anonymous]

I’d post an ad on your neighborhood listserv. As a SAHM, I might be interested in this.

[Anonymous]

For the people asking if she could bike or walk, no. She would have to travel down a busy highway, and no, no one else from her middle school goes there (at least not anyone at her same level that would have to be there at the same time.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you certain you can’t carpool? Friend’s mom drop her off on the way home? (Someone must be heading that way) Or could she ride her bike? A mile is not far.

+1

I’d ask another parent- who is headed that way anyway- to drop her off. Assuming you know people at the school fairly well?

Then I’d offer to pay, the other parent would refuse, so I’d keep them flush with gift cards.

It's not the dropping her off at the dance studio that's the problem, it's the picking her up after school. Picking her up means that they would have to wait in a car line at dismissal and then having to wait about 15 minutes for the buses to clear out before they could get out of the parking lot. It's not a simple "oh can you pick my daughter up, while you're passing by" thing.

[Anonymous]

I had to do this for my daughter for a few years. It is really difficult to find someone who is reliable and they quit all the time. Last year, I was paying $20-$25 per trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An elementary schooler, I understand. But a middle schooler should be able to walk a mile. Otherwise, pay ~$20 per day?

She would have to walk down a very busy road with no sidewalks or crossing guards.

[Anonymous]

Most people don't want an hour job. How will she get home. I would think offer at least $40.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, the majority of people do not want this job. This is a job that normally a SAHP does and while even then it is annoying for your own kid but, it is your kid. You need to find a dance class on the weekends.