Anonymous wrote:We had our 4th recently and have other children ages 7, 4, and 3. The 7 year old is in second grade while the other two are in a morning montessori preschool each day until 12:30. Our childcare plans for the end of my maternity leave fell through and I’m wondering how others would advise we set up so that I can work set hours out of the house for about 5 hours a week. DH works M-F 8-5 and is not available for sick care or pickup/drop offs
Options are-
1. hire someone to pick up preschoolers from montessori at 12 and come home with the infant and watch them at house?
2. Leave preschoolers in after care at preschool until 5. I would pick up on the way home. Hire someone at the house for infant and to get 8 year old off the bus.
3. Put infant in separate day care center and leave preschoolers at school with after care.
4. Just stop working for a few years until kids get older and in school. I don’t want to do this as I love my work but I’m not the breadwinner and this all seems like more hassle than it’s worth emotionally or financially at this time!
I don’t see how working just 5 hours a week is worth all this hassle. I vote for #4. Just hire someone once or twice a week while you are home to help out so you can get a break.