My current supervisor (we are both remote) blocks off school pickup on her calendar. This is 1-2 pm in my time zone. She ends her day at 4:30 my time and we often have meetings around 2 my time. The idea that no work happens after pickup isn’t true.

My DH and I actually both work fulltime at home. Nonetheless, our younger (3rd grade) daughter goes to after care until 5:00 or 5:30 and our older (7th grade) daughter rides a city bus home, walks from the bus stop a few blocks away, makes herself a snack, throws in her laundry, and works on her homework. She has soccer practice most days and my husband drives her and a few friends whose parents can’t get home in time for 5:45 soccer drop off days. (The other parents drive her home). I pack lunch and do morning drop off for my younger daughter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like you could pick up the MS child from school and have that child pick up the younger ones from the bus stop. Then you are only out for like 15 mins for that pickup.

This is a good solution and I would also put some serious effort into getting the kid ready to walk home alone next year, assuming the walk is safe. I would not change jobs to save a tween from 15 minutes in the rain.

Agree.

There are actually a couple middle schoolers I see every day picking up younger siblings from the bus stop. I see this as a good step in teaching your child independence and responsibility.

I WFH full-time but I agree with the posters that blocking off time every day during that 3-4 pm window to pick up multiple kids every day and then having them all at home is asking for too much.

+1. OP you essentially want to work part time. You’re not doing anything meaningful past 3 pm. I’d also be more concerned about hiring someone who won’t cut the umbilical cord for their middle schooler to walk home. You seem like a difficult PITA.

Depends on the job. I work 7:00 to 3:00 because I have exactly OP's problem (except the distance is not walkable, or my kid would be walking) and I am nearly always online again from 4:00 to 6:00 because that's when things get busy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like you could pick up the MS child from school and have that child pick up the younger ones from the bus stop. Then you are only out for like 15 mins for that pickup.

This is a good solution and I would also put some serious effort into getting the kid ready to walk home alone next year, assuming the walk is safe. I would not change jobs to save a tween from 15 minutes in the rain.

Agree.

There are actually a couple middle schoolers I see every day picking up younger siblings from the bus stop. I see this as a good step in teaching your child independence and responsibility.

I WFH full-time but I agree with the posters that blocking off time every day during that 3-4 pm window to pick up multiple kids every day and then having them all at home is asking for too much.

+1. OP you essentially want to work part time. You’re not doing anything meaningful past 3 pm. I’d also be more concerned about hiring someone who won’t cut the umbilical cord for their middle schooler to walk home. You seem like a difficult PITA.

I very much so disagree with you. People deserve to life a comfortable lifestyle and thus is something we promote at our fully remote agency. That said, most people work only 30-32 hrs / week. So they aren't full time and they aren't paid like they are full time.

Absolutely no harm in looking, but agreed with others that since we live in a high COL area your salary may need to be lower to be competitive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do other MS families do for MS? That is a problem you have to solve, but I bet other families don't all WFH.
(I have the same problem and my solution is to go in early and leave early, partner handles mornings. I wish I had a 10 minute commute, that would be amazing.)

They walk home as latch key kids or maybe hang out at Starbucks most likely.

A lot of schools have afterschool activities most days of the week. Some also have a late bus for those kids.

Maybe but most after school activities are sports, and our MS are all cut sports so it's very possible a MS student will be idle after 3pm

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like you could pick up the MS child from school and have that child pick up the younger ones from the bus stop. Then you are only out for like 15 mins for that pickup.

This is a good solution and I would also put some serious effort into getting the kid ready to walk home alone next year, assuming the walk is safe. I would not change jobs to save a tween from 15 minutes in the rain.

Agree.

There are actually a couple middle schoolers I see every day picking up younger siblings from the bus stop. I see this as a good step in teaching your child independence and responsibility.

I WFH full-time but I agree with the posters that blocking off time every day during that 3-4 pm window to pick up multiple kids every day and then having them all at home is asking for too much.

+1. OP you essentially want to work part time. You’re not doing anything meaningful past 3 pm. I’d also be more concerned about hiring someone who won’t cut the umbilical cord for their middle schooler to walk home. You seem like a difficult PITA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like you could pick up the MS child from school and have that child pick up the younger ones from the bus stop. Then you are only out for like 15 mins for that pickup.

This is a good solution and I would also put some serious effort into getting the kid ready to walk home alone next year, assuming the walk is safe. I would not change jobs to save a tween from 15 minutes in the rain.

Agree.

There are actually a couple middle schoolers I see every day picking up younger siblings from the bus stop. I see this as a good step in teaching your child independence and responsibility.

I WFH full-time but I agree with the posters that blocking off time every day during that 3-4 pm window to pick up multiple kids every day and then having them all at home is asking for too much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do other MS families do for MS? That is a problem you have to solve, but I bet other families don't all WFH.
(I have the same problem and my solution is to go in early and leave early, partner handles mornings. I wish I had a 10 minute commute, that would be amazing.)

They walk home as latch key kids or maybe hang out at Starbucks most likely.

A lot of schools have afterschool activities most days of the week. Some also have a late bus for those kids.

I would work on asking for more flexibility at your current job. Everyone there knows you and the quality of your work, so you might be able to get it without switching jobs.