Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because most winters aren't this brutal for school closures, most of us out here figure a couple days here and there.

I personally work from home part tome during my daughter's school hours. I can deal with a couple days off here and there. But this month has been brutal, including the 2 entire weeks for the holidays. I never, ever imagined that a rather minor snow storm would close us for an entire damned week. I cannot afford daycare for entire days off, my husband has zero leave time to relieve the pressure on me. It's a damn good thing I have a rather flexible job and an extremely understanding boss. But we're looking at another storm next week, so I might as well write off next week as well, right? So, at that point, that an entire month of school off and it isn't like summer when you have camps planned ahead of time.

+1
I could have written this exact post down to every last detail.
I am so done.

Me three. I guess we're a minority, but probably like you two, I don't make enough money for backup babysitters. Most of the time, my PT gig is the best arrangement possible for everyone. During snow days, it bites!

original PT work from home mommy back - if I absolutely MUST, I will pay for daycare. I might have to next week because I have a couple meetings planned. My daughter goes a couple days a week to a sitter after school, But, she charges $10/hour. I don't make enough to justify paying that for an entire week. One or two days, tops. My salary allows us to put a little money aside (it covers DD's 529, our savings account and my Roth). If I don't work, I don't get paid....and we have to call our financial guy to cut off the withdrawals from our bank account in time so we can still eat and pay our other bills. I have been trying to work with her home, but she isn't a kid who can just leave me alone for long stretches.

Yes, most of the time, this is the best arrangement for everyone. I gave up a full time job to do this. It allows me to drop off and pick up my daughter and adjust for a day or two here and there. I don't GET vacation days - I work year round. Taking a vacation means I don't get paid. I wish I could relax every once in a while and enjoy a day off.

If I worked a full time job and my husband and I both had paid leave time and we could switch off on days like this, it probably wouldn't be as much stress. But, really, this winter is beyond ridiculous at this point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just saw a model that shows possible snow thursday

YES!

I HOPE so!

These poor kids need a break. The teachers too I'm sure.

What???? They just had holiday break!

Somehow my terrible-in-the-snow vehicle made it from Fairfax County to work this morning in a normal amount of time. There's nothing wrong with the roads.

Alexandria, Arlington and Falls Church all got it right - two hour delay. This closure is nonsense.

I don't see road conditions changing that much by tomorrow. In fact, last I checked, Fri is supposed to be even colder than today is. So I'm guessing that there won't be school tomorrow, either.

Anonymous wrote:Ok, any more thoughts on a Friday close? When I wrote this post I did not seriously think it was a possibility, but I do now.

I think it is time for you to make a decision on your own. If it is important to you and your family to stay, then you should extend your visit. What exactly do you think your kids are going to get from one day of school this week?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because most winters aren't this brutal for school closures, most of us out here figure a couple days here and there.

I personally work from home part tome during my daughter's school hours. I can deal with a couple days off here and there. But this month has been brutal, including the 2 entire weeks for the holidays. I never, ever imagined that a rather minor snow storm would close us for an entire damned week. I cannot afford daycare for entire days off, my husband has zero leave time to relieve the pressure on me. It's a damn good thing I have a rather flexible job and an extremely understanding boss. But we're looking at another storm next week, so I might as well write off next week as well, right? So, at that point, that an entire month of school off and it isn't like summer when you have camps planned ahead of time.

+1
I could have written this exact post down to every last detail.
I am so done.

Me three. I guess we're a minority, but probably like you two, I don't make enough money for backup babysitters. Most of the time, my PT gig is the best arrangement possible for everyone. During snow days, it bites!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give YOU a break? From YOUR own children?

Bottom line is I'd rather my children be home safe alive and well instead of at risk of only God knows trying to get to school.

NOTHING is going on at that school that's more important than my children's safety.

You obviously don't get figures of speech...the line of reasoning about the kids needing a break is total bullshit, and the poster was called on it. The kids have had plenty of break time in the past month, including a 2 week holiday break.

Yes, I want my kid safe, but this winter has been a pain in the ass so far for anyone attempting to remain gainfully employed.

But yet again, the kids needing a break line is bullshit.

Serious question: Why haven't parents of school-aged children made provisions for snow days? We have them every year.

Serious question: Why doesn't NOVA make better provisions for snow removal? Why do we have to have snow days every year?

To answer OPs question, at this point, it would not surprise me at all if they cancel school on Friday.

To respond to PP above me, I have child care today and I am still pissed that my fifth grader missed her band performance and has lost several days of LEARNING at school. She's been struggling with math and it's hard enough to get back into it after a two week break.

This is the same school system that tells me I'm not allowed to take my child out of school for even a few days for family trips because it's detrimental to the child's education. And in the past month HOW many actual days of learning have they had???

And another thing. Some one mentioned that "even if we have TEN snow days it's not like they have to make it up". Please be aware that some people only get ten days of vacation from work. Using all of one's vacation time on snow days hardly encourages good "family time". Personally I think of family time as taking a vacation with my kids where we go and visit family.....



Not everyone is as lucky as you or me with a supportive spouse, more than two weeks of vacation, work at home, what have you.

Storm next week and our preschool is closing for teacher days! This is a joke for working parents who can't afford other arrangements and who work in non family friendly environments.

Anonymous wrote:Because most winters aren't this brutal for school closures, most of us out here figure a couple days here and there.

I personally work from home part tome during my daughter's school hours. I can deal with a couple days off here and there. But this month has been brutal, including the 2 entire weeks for the holidays. I never, ever imagined that a rather minor snow storm would close us for an entire damned week. I cannot afford daycare for entire days off, my husband has zero leave time to relieve the pressure on me. It's a damn good thing I have a rather flexible job and an extremely understanding boss. But we're looking at another storm next week, so I might as well write off next week as well, right? So, at that point, that an entire month of school off and it isn't like summer when you have camps planned ahead of time.

+1
I could have written this exact post down to every last detail.
I am so done.

Because most winters aren't this brutal for school closures, most of us out here figure a couple days here and there.

I personally work from home part tome during my daughter's school hours. I can deal with a couple days off here and there. But this month has been brutal, including the 2 entire weeks for the holidays. I never, ever imagined that a rather minor snow storm would close us for an entire damned week. I cannot afford daycare for entire days off, my husband has zero leave time to relieve the pressure on me. It's a damn good thing I have a rather flexible job and an extremely understanding boss. But we're looking at another storm next week, so I might as well write off next week as well, right? So, at that point, that an entire month of school off and it isn't like summer when you have camps planned ahead of time.

Ok, any more thoughts on a Friday close? When I wrote this post I did not seriously think it was a possibility, but I do now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give YOU a break? From YOUR own children?

Bottom line is I'd rather my children be home safe alive and well instead of at risk of only God knows trying to get to school.

NOTHING is going on at that school that's more important than my children's safety.

You obviously don't get figures of speech...the line of reasoning about the kids needing a break is total bullshit, and the poster was called on it. The kids have had plenty of break time in the past month, including a 2 week holiday break.

Yes, I want my kid safe, but this winter has been a pain in the ass so far for anyone attempting to remain gainfully employed.

But yet again, the kids needing a break line is bullshit.

Serious question: Why haven't parents of school-aged children made provisions for snow days? We have them every year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give YOU a break? From YOUR own children?

Bottom line is I'd rather my children be home safe alive and well instead of at risk of only God knows trying to get to school.

NOTHING is going on at that school that's more important than my children's safety.

You gotta be a SAHM with young children.

OR what I actually am---A MOM! (Not a SAH one though)

One who realizes my children are MY responsibility and that I must make provisions for them in ALL areas--not the schools.

Anonymous wrote:Give YOU a break? From YOUR own children?

Bottom line is I'd rather my children be home safe alive and well instead of at risk of only God knows trying to get to school.

NOTHING is going on at that school that's more important than my children's safety.

You gotta be a SAHM with young children.

Extend your stay. I wouldn't worry about getting them back for Friday.