https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 16:39:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037521 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 12:11:40 +0000 MamaCate 2037521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To go back to the original question, I am actually thinking about the opposite scenario, reducing my work when DD starts school. I WOH FT for the first 2 1/2 years of her life as I was the breadwinner, and now have dropped down to 30 hours. Our financial situation will be changing when she is ready to start kindergarten, so I am considering the possibility of either dropping further to 20 hours during the school day or leaving work entirely. My parents both worked FT out of the home my whole life so I didn't have the parent who was around after school, and it is sort of appealing. We will be at the point where my income will not contribute much so we will see what happens in another two years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037274 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:29:32 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2037274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I totally get that. You are exactly right about it not taking place in a vacuum. This is part of a much bigger discussion about policy and societal values. I think any job that regularly (on a daily basis) requires 9-10 hour work days but does not compensate for that additional time is a problem, not just in education...and honestly, taking away family time by requiring extended work hours actually harms overall education because it has the potential to weaken the ability for families to provide support. </p> <p>Sorry to go off on a tangent! This was totally not the intent of this thread :) I do wish though that more employers had family friendly policies that allowed for parents (not just moms) to get into the classroom more often. Maybe extended lunch hours a few times a month,, or something along those lines. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037239 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:18:01 +0000 looch 2037239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: Yes, I understand that the work day extends outside the time when the kids are in school. And so does my work day, I don't get paid for the extra hours I put in. I have been at my desk at midnight before, working a release. I've had to give up weekends before, to make sure that things are ready for a Monday morning conversion, or whatever else is going on. That is a fact of working life for a lot of people. We don't all clock out at 40 hours.</p> <p>I am all about fair and living wages. But it can't be done in a vaccum, it has to be able to be supported by the local economy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037225 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:12:41 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2037225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: It's hard for me to compare where I live to other states, because we are non-union here and are at the very bottom of the pay totem pole when comparing to other places.... But teachers don't just work when the kids are there. Some suggestions here for extending the school year would mean taking away teacher work days and professional development days to add more instructional time, which is ridiculous. If you factor in the amount of time an average teacher works outside of the paid school day, it easily makes up for a lot of the time off. And the numbers I have seen, when comparing teacher salaries to the salaries of other people with comparable education and experience in other fields, teaching salaries are already laughably low. But that may just be in NC. I know a lot of states pay their teachers a lot more competitively. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037217 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:07:33 +0000 looch 2037217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: I think there is room for negotiation on increasing salaries and the resultant higher property taxes, if the teachers are underpaid compared to the other working people in town when you stretch the salary over 12 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037197 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:57:22 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2037197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: we have before and after school in all of our schools here too. I can't believe places dont! Most of ours are run by the local YMCAs. It would be really hard for a lot of families without those programs. I can totally see your frustration! </p> <p>@looch: I don't think it is a terrible idea. The problem is that many people who want an extended school year want to leave teacher salaries the same. We already have such a hard time funding schools that without a big tax increase it isn't possible, and most people aren't ok with raising taxes. </p> <p>I grew up in and taught in a year round program, where instead of one long summer we got 3 weeks off every 9 weeks. Kids whose parents work during that time can attend "track out" camps which run full day from 7-6. It's still expensive, a little cheaper than traditional daycare because the ratios are much bigger, but it is more managable to pay for 3 week chunks spread out through the year than 3 solid months. I am sure that is really tough on families. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037185 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:51:22 +0000 looch 2037185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: I would extend the school year, for one. I get that we all loved having summers off as kids, but the rest of the world has moved on from this concept and we should as well, in order to make sure our kids are competitive.</p> <p>I know a lot of teachers in the US think this is a terrible idea, but it's working in other parts of the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school/page/2#post-2037171 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:43:13 +0000 blackbird 2037171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: wuuuut that is amazing! We never had that at our schools! I'm sure this is a common problem! A 9:00 start time is LATE for a lot of people. And a 4:00 end time is early for MANY!</p> <p>eta: i'm just thinking that a lot of parents don't have the privilege to choose what they do like all of us are in a situation to</p> <p>Sorry i dragged us off topic a bit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037167 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:41:05 +0000 Mamaof2 2037167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: The public schools here have before and after care at the school and its sooo cheap! DS will do that next year in 1st grade! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037164 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:39:33 +0000 blackbird 2037164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: In a perfect world, on site before and after care would be fabulous! I mean, yes, it's a long day for the kids, but that's kind of life when you work 40 hour weeks. It'd be nice if America could adopt a 30 hour work week, LOL but that ain't gonna happen. But oh man, especially if they had a big play area for the kids to burn off energy! I would 100% opt in to paying for an on-site childcare type of program (breakfast, too!). Since my husband's off work at 2:30, we would need morning care. </p> <p>I'm really not in a situation to speak much to it, though, i just imagine that you have a lot of shift workers or people who work non flexible jobs or 12 hours at hospitals or have a hard time making parent teacher conferences...I mean, with daycare, the vast majority of kids have two working parents who obviously have the money to PUT their kids in daycare. In a school system, you have the gamut of financial situations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037151 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:33:44 +0000 twodoghouse 2037151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure if I will SAH until they go to school. Sort of depends how the next couple years go (they are only 9 months now). If I'm still SAH then, I might try to work part time. I'd also like to be a room parent, field trip chaperone, etc. my parents were really involved with our grade school and I think that's awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037141 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:29:08 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2037141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @blackbird: I am curious what you would have schools do differently to be more accommodating for full time working parents? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037083 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:51:10 +0000 blackbird 2037083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: @Ree723: @looch: Yeah my mom worked with the "resource" kids (usually gang members, mildly mentally handicapped, troubled, etc) and while she loved it (totally up her niche), it sounds like a slow form of daily torture to me. But the teacher she worked with was super cool (and a lot of the stuff she did, like bring my brother and I to class and make us sit in the corner and watch tv while she worked) would surely not fly with today's schools. </p> <p>But yes, something like 75% of parents work nowadays? So it'd be nice if the programs reflected that, so it didn't feel so all or nothing, or that you didn't have a choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037065 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:37:55 +0000 looch 2037065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom worked as a teachers aide in a Kindergarten class for 16 years. She recently retired and her comment to me was that it's not all that it is cracked up to be, especially since there is so much pressure on kids in the classroom...and then you have the behavioral issues, the parents, etc.</p> <p>Let's just say this kind of job isn't for me, even with the flexibility. This is why I think it is the schools that need to adjust the schedules, not the parents adjusting the jobs. Our current model is so outdated and doesn't fit the needs of working parents, which is a fact of life these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037031 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:06:24 +0000 Anagram 2037031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I was going to stay---most schools have teacher's aides. The pay isn't great, but you don't take any work home (unlike teaching), you arrive and leave right when kids do (unlike teachers), you don't have to do much staff training (unlike teachers), and you work on the school schedule.</p> <p>Our school has a lot of part time teacher's aides, too. Perfect for moms who want to work around a school schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037007 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:27:48 +0000 Ree723 2037007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: Similar situation here and that is what has shaped my views on things. My mom went to back to work as a teacher/guidance counselor once my youngest sibling started school and her hours were nearly the same as ours. We went to a babysitter for half an hour before school and half an hour after school whilst my mom was commuting etc, but then we were home with her. We loved it and have such great memories of spending time with our mom after school, talking about our days, doing things together, etc. I really hope I can do the same for my LOs... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2037003 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:22:18 +0000 blackbird 2037003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom became a teachers aide when my brother and I were older. Her schedule always mimicked ours and it was something she really enjoyed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036998 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:14:54 +0000 erwoo 2036998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My plan is to go back to work part-time and then go from there. My youngest is going to be 3 soon and my thoughts are to enroll him in the local "kindergarten" program in the Fall which goes from 3-5/6 years. It's full time so I'll have some time to do other things. I've been enjoying my yoga classes now and hope to continue while working part time. I feel like my brain is slowly getting really blah, as you can tell by my wording here! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036976 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 06:07:48 +0000 yin 2036976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll evaluate when the time comes. I didn't have a real career prior to staying at home. Finding a job with limited experience is going to be tough. I might end up going back to school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036974 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 06:01:14 +0000 Orchid 2036974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get mani-pedis. Just kidding, we plan to homeschool for a few years so I'll be pretty busy for a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036942 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:54:14 +0000 Ree723 2036942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on going back to work part time. I'm fortunate enough to be in an industry where it is fairly easy to do PT work. When I was working full time, I worked with several mums who worked two or three mornings per week from 9-1, which is exactly what I am hoping to do. Still able to do the school run in the morning, but have a bit of time after work to run errands and do whatever needs to be done before picking the kids up at 3:15 - perfect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036934 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:31:46 +0000 lamariniere 2036934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: @birdofafeather: totally agree! I WAH but my youngest only goes to half day daycare, so I'm also kind of a SAHM. I am looking forward to when I have more normal office hours (LO2 should be in daycare full time this fall) instead of just half days so that I can work more. I also love what I do and wish I had more time for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036908 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:22:51 +0000 birdofafeather 2036908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: yes! i'm a ways off from being done having kiddos, but having these set hours would be amazing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036905 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:06:00 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2036905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a WAH mom, but I still consider myself a SAHM since I am with the girls full-time throughout the day. My plan is to pick up more hours and more clients once they are in school full time, and basically spend the time they're in school working. Since I am self-employed, I would still be able to volunteer in the classroom and go on class trips. However, I love what I do, and I am really looking forward to the school "season of life" in terms of my career. I'd love to work more (and actually have the time to do it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036904 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:53:10 +0000 mrskc 2036904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always envisioned going back to working full time. We shall see tho! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036903 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:40:06 +0000 PinkElephant 2036903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Volunteer - I used to volunteer a lot when we had a nanny and I miss it. And consider having another baby, if we haven't already done so by the time my youngest goes to full time pre-k. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036900 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:22:14 +0000 daniellemybelle 2036900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Kemma. I hope I will be able to be a SAHM when our LO(s) is/are school-aged so I can do pick-up &amp; drop-off, volunteer in the classroom, and be involved in activities. Not to mention that there are summers off and breaks throughout the year.</p> <p>My mom was a SAHM and she always made us a snack and talked about our day with us after school. I would love to be able to do that for our LO(s) - we'll see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036895 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:11:21 +0000 Boogs 2036895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: Oh I know what you mean, that's why I worry! Kids only get busier with age! I want to continue to stay home, but since I'm sure I'll have a bit more down time it would be nice to bring in at least a little bit of income. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036842 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:31:14 +0000 Kemma 2036842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just as an alternative perspective, I used to work with a woman who had four children (12 year total age gap) and she said it was actually harder to work fulltime once they were at school. Between finding after school care, attending school camps and outings and then transporting four kids to extracurricular activities (sports, music, scouts etc) plus volunteering at school it made more sense for her family (both logistically and somewhat financially) to not work and be more available for her kids.</p> <p>I also know that lots of organisations (including schools) are struggling with a drop in volunteer hours now that more families have both parents working fulltime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-when-kids-go-to-school#post-2036760 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:37:55 +0000 BandDmommy 2036760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to do somethjng fun like become an aerobics instructor. </p>