It also depends a lot on what kind of neighborhood you live in. My son used to play almost daily with friends on our block after school. Kids would play for an hour or two before dinner. We would sign up for sports and activities with their friends and would carpool.

Many friendships and relationships are formed in kindergarten and early years, especially if oldest child is the one starting kindergarten.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend does what she calls a "split shift". She's an attorney. Works from 9:30 to 2:30 and then from about 8:30-11pm.

This sounds like hell. Working all damn day.

(shrugs) How is that different then 6:30 -2:30, get home and pick up kid at 3:30. Kid goes to bed at 8:30 and I go to bed at 10:30? Most working parents are moving from job, to child care, to bed. That is what it is. The question is do you have a system in place that makes it enjoyable?

I like my job, I don't love it but I like it. My DS is happy as long as he is in the room with me, he is 7, and we always have time to talk when I am making dinner or when we are eating dinner. I always make time to read to him and we normally have time to do an activity together. I love watching him enjoy Cub Scouts and his other activity.