After school options?

Livelongandprosper

I used to have to walk over three miles to and from school, some of it across a common, the rest around a busy main road, all year round from starting secondary school and I was a 4 ft 8 girl

Then let myself in and got homework done and dinner started for mum coming home

I know not all children are equal and tbh I can't ever remember being thrilled at the walk not being home alone. But back then, there was no after school care other then detention and parents didn't have the luxury of choosing their hours to fit around kids. It's just what we had to get on with

jackomdj

Is it a school bus or public bus? School busses sometimes change their routes depending upon the children on that bus. If it is a school bus could you phone the school and ask if it could drop closer, mentioning the dark winter nights.

FatVonD

Are you planning to work in the same town as the school?

If so could a cab collect him from school and drop to your workplace in time for when you leave work so you could travel home together?

chesky

you don't mention your husband's work pattern - what about his hours? Other than that, do the after school care for a year and then your son or daughter (better than calling them a child) should be more than capable of getting themselves back home.
Did you not think about schools when you chose your housing?

Spendless

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Just checked route planner and its 2.6 miles from bus to home. I don't think that's feasible. I'd worry and with heavy bags after a long day, especially if its dark or raining I think its too much.
I like the idea of using a public place like a library coffee shop as a collection point but unfortunately there isn't one on the way. Its kind of a mix of semi rural / housing estate.

What time does the school finish? Is it likely it would be dark where you live even in the depths of winter? We live in the North of England, DD's Secondary finishes at 3.10 and she's a 35 minute walk home. It's still light enough, even in mid-December.

Don't let him/her take every single school book in their bag. That's what makes/made my kids school bags so heavy! You might need a contingency plan on PE or Cookery days or in the case of inclement weather.

Is your child one of the younger ones ie still 10? If so, especially if he's your eldest, it can be hard to see into the relatively near future about how much they grow up. I had a chance of a full-time job when my son was this age, decided against it, due to not wanting him to do childcare both ends of day, every day. A few months on, past his 11th birthday and I could tell he wouldn't have needed so much childcare. I kick myself to this day for not going for the job.

Pop_Up_Pirate

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Just checked route planner and its 2.6 miles from bus to home. I don't think that's feasible. I'd worry and with heavy bags after a long day, especially if its dark or raining I think its too much.
I like the idea of using a public place like a library coffee shop as a collection point but unfortunately there isn't one on the way. Its kind of a mix of semi rural / housing estate.

Children not so long ago would do this every day in a blink of an eye.
2.6 miles is not that far and it will take some time, which uses up part of the time you are trying to fill.
You can then give him a key and tell him to get on with his homework.

Kids really don't need wrapping up in cotton wool.

Fireflyaway

Thanks everyone. The bus is a school bus and no, I won't be working close to the school. Its in a very remote location with no houses / businesses close by. Yes we thought about housing . Although we have only been her 2 months, its only 100 yards from where we have lived the last 14 years. Like this area and like the school, its just choosing the best option for after school.
Husband gets home very late. Yes little one is 10 - July birthday.
It will be dark. School finishes at 4pm and bus gets back around 5pm.
A cab to work is a good idea. As mentioned there won't be a long gap so sitting in reception could be an idea, thanks. Depends where I end up working as I have been applying all over.

unforeseen

And assuming that your new employer is happy with your child hanging around reception/workplace especially if it appears to be a permanent arrangement and not the odd occasional time.

DigForVictory

Has the school a sixth form? Or a nearby sixth form college? Could the Head suggest a sensible six former who could earn a modest sum to escort your LO home, and make the first hot brew, perhaps even doing a bit of homework while awaiting your return?
That's what my parents sorted for us, and it worked brilliantly - we had someone there when we got back, an example to follow in getting the school work sorted promptly & horse sense on site in case anything went startlingly awry.
Once I hit 14 & an alternative was trialled, my sisters rebelled saying they had me & I was "more use" than the other girl, but it bridged a gap til everyone was confident.

tooldle

What about your son. What does he feel capable of? He might be keen to start walking part way home from his current school, and building his independence in preparation for the move to secondary.
Where i live a walk of 3miles or less is considered acceptable for school kids. Over that distance they get a bus pass provided. Are you absolutely certain that the bus cannot drop him closer to home?