Let me start off by saying, I both can and cannot believe it’s been so long since I’ve last written anything “substantial.”
The start of the year has been a whirlwind. Work was insane–and it’s still going strong. Every day I leave completely and utterly mentally exhausted. It’s really all I can do to drive home and take care of O for a few hours before collapsing into bed (that is, if I don’t have to work more in the evening.) But that’s life, sometimes, especially when you work in the ad business. At least I have a job! And for that I’m thankful.
But I gotz some changes going on in my life that I think might help my mental, physical, and financial state. Instead of attending daycare full time, O now attends daycare just two days a week, and the rest of the week he stays at home with his dad.
First, why the change? Well, remember when I wrote this? I said it was because the piece hit close to home, and it DID. Without getting delving into too much personal stuff, our little family’s financial situation was hurting.
The decision to pull O from daycare wasn’t one we took lightly. His dad and I talked, talked, and talked some more. O loves school, he has made some really good friends, and it has been an absolutely amazingly positive influence on his life–giving him socialization skills, in addition to the gobs of stuff he learns each day. I knew our daycare center didn’t allow for part-time students, so when his dad and I talked, we considered it as an “all or nothing” situation: O either stayed at home full-time or was in daycare full-time. This kept me from making any sort of decision for quite awhile.
I finally approached our daycare, explained our situation, asked what we could do, and I discovered they were open to part-time enrollment! Woot! We are now in week three of our new arrangement, and it seems to be working.
There are some days at work where I mentally and physically freeze for a second–searching my brain for the day, trying to determine whether or not I’m picking up O from daycare. O has been going to daycare since he was three months old (he’s two and a half now) and, because his daycare is so close to my work, I’ve done the lion’s share of drop-offs and pickups. This new routine is taking a little getting used to, but O is thriving so far. He LOVES spending extra time with his dad, but he still gets to see his daycare friends and beloved teacher. I get some alone time on the ride to work a few days a week, and I get home a lot quicker on the days he’s not in daycare, which gives me more time to spend quality time with my little guy.
But I want to make this post more than just an update on my current work/life situation. Since I’ve shared my story in my own little circle of friends and family, I’ve discovered that other people I know are “working” with their preschools and day cares to figure out situations that work for them financially, without disrupting their children’s lives. It can be done. All you have to do is ask.
So, just ask. It’s gonna be ok… da da da doom. Just ask… (Get it? Lady GaGa?)
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8 thoughts on “Just Ask”
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So many of us, i think, are in similar boats. My husband is “almost” laid off… he has another 3 months to figure out what he wants to do for the rest of his life. And now my job is questionable too.
We have D in private school, and with tuition and the deaded summer coming, we will need to think creatively to cover our bases.. especially if (gasp) I can’t work from home anymore.
Stressful times.
My husband’s job will lay off hundreds of people next week, so we’re holding our breath. I’m optimistic, first that he won’t lose his job, second that he could find another one. But what strikes the most fear in my heart, is the wonderful employee on-site daycare that his work has. I’ve probably raved about it here before. But I guess if one is laid off, we immediately lose our full time daycare for both our kids. That is terrifying to me for a lot of reasons.
I’ll be taking a 5% pay cut as of mid-March, so I hear you. We had planned for Z to start Preschool full-time in the summer, but may change that to either part-time, or even keep him home all summer. It depends on what happens with my office, I may be working from home full time.
But a few months ago we were reviewing our finances and after tossing around some options, decided to drop him from 4 to 3 days a week at daycare, staying home with J the other days. Our DCP immediately offered to drop her rates to keep him there the 4 days, so she didn’t have to worry about filling his spot for the 2 days he wouldn’t be there.
BagMomma and DemMom… I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. If and when you or your SO’s are laid off, it could be hard, but it also could open some new doors and opportunties. You just have to be ready to change and adapt to those opportunties. I wasn’t really ready! I like my routine. 🙂
It’s all very stressful and terrifying. I feel you, I really do.
Nancy–that’s awesome that your DCP would do that for you! I do think lots of daycares are feeling the pain of the economic downturn (sorry, Sue!). I don’t think if it was this time last year, my own daycare would consider the option of O going PT.
Tela, I have recently joined the world of ad work and you are right, it’s insane!!! I was at the office until 4:30 this morning. Fortunately, I get all of today and tonight to refresh my brain and body, and I love the work, but I love that you can relate.
That’s great your daycare worked with you. I’m sure daycares are hurting too because of people losing their jobs, and pulling their kids out of childcare. It makes sense for them to be flexible than to lose a client altogether.
good for you for…just asking! glad you found a situation that works for your family. we are counting down the months until our oldest can attend (FREE) public kindergarten in the fall!
Another AdGirl! I knew I liked you for a reason.