Chances are you missed this post a while back about “how we do it” with regards to the children’s schedule. Things have changed in the three years since then, and “how we do it” has changed as well. Not only do we have another child, the other kids are older and their needs and activities are different.
August is now in 5th grade, Dela in 4th, Ciaran is in 1st grade, Xavier has preschool in the afternoons and Tevye, well, he’s 6 months old. The logistics have changed. Dela is less active in the Girl Scouts but has picked up more activity with gymnastics and Irish step dancing. August is more active in the Cub Scouts (his last year before moving up to Boy Scouts) and Ciaran is beginning to participate as well. Things are different, but there are a number of things that are the same.
With the baby and new schedule I have had to actually ask for help. Getting to and from school three times a day is a chore enough. Yes, three times. Once to drop kids off at the beginning of the school day, once at noon to drop Xavier off for preschool, and once at the end of the day to pick everybody up.
I have gotten a workaround with Tevye’s napping, and some days it is better than others. The thing is, there are days when I have to either go back to school once again or get there early. These additional trips to and from the school are a pain – especially since I’m just dropping off or picking up one child, but I still have to have all of the children with me.
My solution to this is to [*gasp*] ASK FOR HELP!
Tuesday afternoons August is participating in a technology club after school. Another parent has agreed to pick him up and bring him home as her daughter is participating in the club as well. Fridays August is participating in another activity before school, and another (different) parent with a child also participating agreed to pick August up and take him to school. I will admit to it being difficult to having had to ask for help, but it is so greatly appreciated.
Asking for help was difficult, but not nearly as difficult as having to add more trips to school for the next several months. I am fortunate to have a couple of other parents at the school willing to help.