Any working moms commute via Metro with kids?

[Anonymous]

I need the truth -- how bad is it commuting via Metro with two kids? Does anybody out there do it?

We're contemplating changing daycare from one near our house to one near my work, and I'd most likely take the Metro with the two kids (ages 2 and 4) and then walk 15 minutes from the Metro stop to the daycare and then 15 minutes to work. We really prefer the new daycare center but are not sure about the logistics.

Am I crazy to think this will be nice together time with my kids? I'd really appreciate feedback from anyone who rides Metro with kids daily.

FWIW, if the weather is really bad we can drive in rather than taking Metro, but that's not a viable daily option because we only have one family car and my husband can't hitch a ride with a co-worker every day.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

OP,
I did this for about 1 month with my 2 yr old. I am sorry to tell you, it was BRUTAL. It was horrible. I would never do it again, and esp. not with 2 kids. I did it in the winter months, which was even worse. If I had to do it all over again, I would have chosen a daycare near my home and then commute alone. People are VERY rude in the metro when it is rush hour and you have a stroller. It also stinks in the elevators b/c people probably piss in them over night. It was a very rough time for me - exhausting - and the metro ride was only about 20 minutes with no transfers and then about a 15 minute walk to work (daycare was in my work building).

I tried to make it fun by reading books to my DD on the metro and giving her some food (yes, I got weird looks from people b/c you aren't allowed to eat, but she was starving after a full day) -- she probably had fun some of the time, but it was hard for me. It's also hard to keep a little kid warm in a stroller in really bad weather -- not to mention when it rains, or is really windy, etc. Another problem -- people do not move out of the way so the stroller can get off the sidewalk and thru the crosswalk (you know, there is a depression in the road made for wheels/strollers/wheelchairs) but people stand there or block it, so you have a hard time moving your stroller thru the people. OP, please figure out another solution. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP - one more comment -- I am the poster from above - there is a reason why you rarely see women commuting with their children to work on metro - it is just too hard!!

[Anonymous]

I don't do this daily with my kids. But, I have used our downtown back-up daycare provider and have taken both kids on the metro. The only thing I can suggest is to not go during the highest peak hours. Expect that there will be days with delays where it gets backed-up and you may have to wait for a couple of cars before there's enough room. A double stroller on metro during rush hour is tough! You might also want to find out if the elevators of your stations are frequently out or if there's any big renovation coming up (a year+ ago the Tenleytown Metro elevator was out for months!).

I don't mean to be all negative, but these are things to consider. I commute to work on the red line and often see people with kids ride at that hour. It's doable, but you'll need a little flexibility.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- just curious what times you've found Metro crowded. I usually go in on the Red Line at 8:30 am and can always get a seat; then return at 5 pm; usually get a seat on the return.

With the kids, I would be getting on the Metro at 7:45 am or so, but returning later -- 5:30 pm -- so I think it would be the return trip that would be hard. They're usually cranky at that hour too ....

Thanks for the feedback!

[Anonymous]

I do it occasionally. My kids (4 & 2) love love love the Metro, and the Metro-riding part of the trip is usually fine, but the walk to and from Metro, the elevator rides down, etc. are opportunities for the kids to become distracted and oblivious, which I find scary, which turns me into Mean Snapping Mommy. Maybe if we did it every day, things would be better, but I don't have the fortitude to try. Then again, driving is an option for me, so I am taking the path of least resistance. If it were the only way to get to a center I liked better, I would do it, because the payoff would absolutely be worth it to me.

Once the 4YO is in kindergarten, I will be giving up my parking space and Metro-ing. It's a breeze (well, OK, relatively) with just one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- just curious what times you've found Metro crowded. I usually go in on the Red Line at 8:30 am and can always get a seat; then return at 5 pm; usually get a seat on the return.

With the kids, I would be getting on the Metro at 7:45 am or so, but returning later -- 5:30 pm -- so I think it would be the return trip that would be hard. They're usually cranky at that hour too ....

Thanks for the feedback!

Well, I'd first suggest you ignore the crazy lady who couldn't handle the ride. I commute with my dd every single day (now 4 yrs old) and have been everyday for 2 years. It's fine. We get on the red line as well at about 7:40am, I always get in the last car (away from the crowds, if there were any at that time, which was RARE) The last car is usually closest to the elevator as well for when you get off. You'll be fine. I see a lot of families in the LAST CARS of the train. You need to be smart about it and not try to shove in the center cars. It's a fun ride - my daughter loves the train and people have been very nice about offering seats and trying to help.

[Anonymous]

PP here - For the evening commute make sure you bring a snack for your kids for the walk to the train. They'll be fine after that. It was only the days that I forgot a snack that I had a hard time on the evening commute. And I'll emphasize again - GO TO THE END CARS.

[Anonymous]

I have a co-worker who has done this for years (with one) and is fine with it. They always get on the end cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - one more comment -- I am the poster from above - there is a reason why you rarely see women commuting with their children to work on metro - it is just too hard!!

I see alot of moms and dads with kids on Metro.

[Anonymous]

I commuted with my daughter for two years, and am now commuting with my son. I've never needed to do two at once, but it's possible.

The PP's have all of the good advice - make sure to have snacks, get in the end cars, and use the back or front doors of the car (more room for strollers) have some sort of entertainment available, and USE YOUR WORDS. I am vocal about needing to push the stroller in if people are moving slowly - I usually say "we're both getting on" and when approaching my stop, I strategize for the door and tell people who are in my exit path that I am getting out at the next stop.

If you can avoid using a stroller, you'll find the commute much less stressful and much more pleasant.

[Anonymous]

OP: Is your home walking distance to the Metro station? How many station stops would you be on the trian? Do you have to switch lines? I'm sure it's doable (some parents have no choice and make it work), but it will be a challenge on bad-weather days, not to mention dealing with delays and cranky commuters. You may want to do a test-run and see how you manage. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Second the "test run" suggestion - even though a weekend run of it won't be perfect since you'll miss the rush hour traffic, it should give you a sense of how your kids do at that kind of travel. From what I've seen (I commuted by metro w/my son for several months and will start again soon), fellow commuters are less of a factor than how flexible your kids are about it. Does the younger kid mind staying in a stroller? Are they easily entertained by people watching, books or other "stay still" activities? I think it can work well, or it can be a disaster. (How's that for unhelpful?!)

[Anonymous]

I do it every day-but only for about 4 stops on the red line. Its fine as long as the train isn't too full. I second the suggestion about getting on the last car on the train-its usually not too bad. When the trains are backed up and the cars are really full it can be tough to get off at my stop with the stroller. Overall I enjoy it because it gives me more quality time with my daugher rather than just seeing her in the rear view mirror as we sit in traffic in the car.

[Anonymous]

I am the first person who responded. Sorry if I came off as "crazy" and a person who should be "ignored" but I really found it to be brutal. OP asked for honest opinions, and that was my honest opinion. I could "handle" it, but it was not enjoyable most of the time. I also rode the red line. Doing it a once in a while or a few days a week is one thing, but doing it every day in bad weather with a cranky or hungry child is quite another. Having 2 kids makes it even worse, esp. since I am assuming OP has to take a stroller. I am not saying it is impossible, but I am saying it is not fun and would look for other alternatives if at all possible.