I've been thinking about this for a few years now—what would it actually take to start an after-school program through parent-led initiatives and private funding? It feels like something that could really gain traction here if we pushed for it.
Paul Johnson said:A friend mentioned she pays her neighbor so much that, in exchange, the woman occasionally picks up her kid from school or after-school care when she’s stuck late at the office.
My neighbor does that for free😁—for us, for them, and honestly, for everyone else on the block too.😁
I mean, it isn't a massive amount of money objectively speaking, but I just don't have that kind of extra cash lying around.
Oh great, another two hundred bucks gone every month 😂 Honestly, I'd rather be on my own anyway. It’s better to have some food on the table than nothing at all 😂
Take advantage of this chance and head out on foot while you can. We’ve been letting her navigate that crossing all by herself for way too long whenever she has to come back, basically leaving her to decide for herself when it's safe. Unfortunately, that pass isn't exactly on our way, but we're going to make a real effort to take that route as much as possible this year.
In my neighborhood, none of the local elementary schools offer after-school care for kids beyond third grade. The one I go to only provides it for first graders.👎
urbantinker8 said:Is it okay if I ask? I’ve brought this up before, but I guess I always seem to forget the specific numbers unless I’m actively dealing with them right now.🙈
The thing is, most of the childcare options I’m aware of don't actually cover the full day, even during holidays—it's more like a half-day situation, so you end up having to patch things together with grandparents or just heading out from work a little early whenever the need arises, which seems to be the norm anyway.🕺
Go ahead and ask! Even part-time works out fine—if someone shows up around 10 or 11 and leaves by 3, that's still better than nothing. Plus, why split the hours into three or four different shifts? We're a young suburb with plenty of kids and working parents who just need some coverage.😁
I'm curious about what the total cost might look like. I'm thinking about paying for someone to pick up my kid, handle meals, and help guide them through their homework 😁 while they're under supervision all day during school breaks . I don't have all the details yet, obviously—it's hard to say how much an 8.5-year-old can actually handle, but I'm sure they won't be able to focus for ten hours straight every single day .
Maybe coordinate some kind of split schedule with a neighbor, or just pay a sitter or check out those local play centers that offer structured programs. I don't see any other options.
From what I understand, there are basically two types of after-school programs over here. In cities like Chicago, it's either an all-day program where they stay on campus, or just a standard afternoon session. Staff is usually on duty starting at 7:00 AM. As for religious education classes, it really depends on the specific school district, so you’ll definitely want to check with yours directly. You might want to be prepared to pick them up early if they don't have a spot reserved for them during those classes.😁
Susan James said:I actually started practicing memorizing numbers about two years ago when my old phone finally gave up on me and all those digits just vanished from my brain
Plus, it's actually a pretty great memory exercise🙂 like grouping numbers together and stuff like that.
Personally, I find it much easier to remember characters in books or specific plot points—it just comes more naturally to me.😁
You’d save me a ton on mower repairs and belt replacements 😂 😂 I don't, honestly. It's just like phone numbers—ever since I got a smartphone, I can barely remember my own number, let alone this. I can remember things if they rhyme like a little poem, but anything else...
I used to know them perfectly 😁 and I didn't have any trouble with my grades either 😁
I've forgotten so much of it, honestly. Not everything, of course, but quite a lot 😁 At work, I rely on my calculator constantly; I don't think I could even add two numbers together by hand anymore 😂
While I agree with most of what was said, the argument about grading falls apart for me when you consider how many generations grew up doing just fine without any numerical grades in first grade. I remember trying so hard to finish my homework and master everything, even though getting an A wasn't always an option. Some kids just didn't care at all, and honestly, some kids don't even care if they get an F; that number doesn't mean anything to them.
I honestly have no clue. I’ve been just as wrong as I’ve been right when it comes to predicting the future, so I’m not going to make any public bets 😂 I just know what I want: for my little girl to handle her own homework. If she gets stuck, I want her to look it up in a textbook, search on Google, or wherever else—and if she still doesn't get it after searching, then she can ask us for help so we can explain it. Then, she should be the one to actually finish the work herself. My goal is for her to reach a point where I don't have to nag, push, or repeat myself constantly. Am I being unrealistic in thinking she’ll eventually be able to manage her responsibilities independently? We’ll just have to see how things play out in a few years. 😁
Yeah, I think they run a program until about 2 or 3, and then it switches over to after-school care until 5. It’s structured differently than just standard schooling; it's not like kids stay in class until noon and then just sit around drawing or playing during daycare hours.
urbantinker8 said:I was wondering if it’s actually possible to work something out with the school so that my kid can head home a little earlier from after-school care?🤔
It hasn't really become a pressing issue for us just yet, so I haven't bothered asking anyone...
The thing is, my work schedule is all over the place with different shifts, so when I'm on mornings, I can easily swing by and pick him up around 1:00 or 2:00, or he just walks home himself once school lets out around 11:30 and waits for me to get back.🤷
But looking ahead, it seems like we'll probably need to utilize the after-school program about every other week.🤷
If I remember correctly, they won't be home by midnight, but they should be back around 2 or 3.