Take to or collect from school

mishkanorman

onlyroz wrote: »

Alternatively, you could instil in your children a good work-ethic and teach them about all the different ways they can make valuable contributions to society and the economy.

so because I dont work im not teaching them that ? :mad:

thegirlintheattic

pick up - better for communicating with teachers and other parents.

Savvy_Sue

If I had a genuine choice, I'd go for pickup (and indeed used to), BUT the stress of getting away from work in time need to be considered. I always found it hard to walk out half way through the afternoon when everyone else was still at it, the phone was still ringing etc etc etc.

property.advert

Drop off is easy to predict, time wise, whereas pick up is hit and miss unless you work within walking distance.

Because you cannot be late, you end up being ridiculously early and finish work at 14:00 instead of risking 14:30.

At the other end, we can drop off from 08:45 and are exploring options for 08:00.

Extra curricular led us to swimming, ballet, gymnastics and dance, covering 4 afternoons. Now down to two, swimming and dance, there is more time for play dates but another swimming always comes up.

cottonhead

I am lucky enough to do both but having to make a choice I would do the pick up for sure. You will get to chat about the day and go for walks / to the park etc and spend some relaxed time together and it wont be long till the homeowork starts and you can help with that. Sometimes kids get clingy at the gate in the morning and its then horrible leaving them on a bad note. Where as them knowing you will be waiting at the gate is priceless. Also means you can speak to the teacher and get to know other parents.

onlyroz

mishkanorman wrote: »

so because I dont work im not teaching them that ? :mad:

I was responding to the insulting suggestion that working parents couldn't "be there" for their children.

However, I do think that a working parent is a better role-model for their children (in particular their daughters) than a non-working one.

Threebabes

Another one for pick up.

Will give you the chance to meet and chat to the other mothers, less awkward for kids parties etc.

dizziblonde

If you're ever going to want more than a "he's had a rough night - give me a ring if he's struggling" level chat with the teacher - go for doing the pickups.

midnightraven3

just a comment about the "evening before prep"

3 children in our house and doing 15 minutes the night before seemed to save at least half an hour the next morning

they are now much older, and we still all do a few mins for the next morning, it just became part of the evening routine
dont underestimate how great it is!

duchy

You don't ever hear anyone say "My wife might get stressed with getting the kids out to school in the morning" she'd be expected to get on with it - I honestly don't see why it should be different for a Father.

I'm another one who believes if it's one or the other to go for pick up. It's better for the child-less disjointed , more social opertunities for play dates and time to wind down before starting homework -if you use after school care by the time you've picked them up got home -it's often straight into homework and very little quality time before bed.