Do you want to hear a truly insane schedule gap between my two kids, who are in different school systems (one private - thanks to public schools' handling of the pandemic - and one public). Daughter started school Aug 7, son started school Aug. 29. Son has week break in October and February that daughter doesn't have. This year their winter breaks don't match up - they're a week apart.
And yes, we have minimum days too - our public school system does them on Wednesdays.
The power went out at my kids school last week and they sent out a text to all the parents requesting we pick up our kids asap. 🙃 I work from home and was able to drop what I was doing and go, but there was only one hour of school left - couldn’t they just read quietly or ...?? 🤷🏻♀️ those minimum day and late start shenanigans though!!!
Those minimum days and weird end times are WILD. I always find myself confused when moms with bigger kids tell moms with toddlers, “Don’t worry, soon they’ll be in school and you’ll get your life back!” Between drop off and pick up, there are 6 hours. That’s not much time to work, eat, shop, exercise, plan dinner, and the millions of other things I have to do. And with the amount of illness and holidays there aren’t that many of those 6 hour days anyway. I truly don’t understand how any household manages two full time working parents without a huge amount of support in place.
Agreed. It is because we are still stuck in a society that is set up for someone to be at home. I just don't know what we do about it, other than bitching, and dealing with the childcare crisis which is some of what this is as well.
I can’t say that I experience this specific kind of insanity as a “unschool/homeschool” mom (believe me we have our own) but my goodness, I see now, that ALL mothers are finding it hard to find adequate time for effective and efficient work to get an income. I was complaining because I am constantly being interrupted by my child’s extra needs (autism) but you moms are interrupted directly by school schedules! The one thing that is actually supposed to give you time to do all the things you need to do for yourself! I can’t say I have the energy to fight to change policies but I can say that I am advocate to create brand new systems with brand new policies that center in mother and our needs so we can at least have the opportunity to be the best moms we can possibly be. The whole system- the entire society just seems like it is all specifically designed to make mothers insane!
Just want to add and acknowledge how no mother would ever be able to work a traditional 8-5 job and successfully climb a corporate ladder dealing with this kind of schedule- it makes you wonder if it’s intentional to keep the number of women in the workforce down. Just a thought...
I feel you on all the days off but feel compelled to share that 9/25 is Yom Kippur. As a Jewish mom, I can say having this day off is important for a lot of Jewish families and demonstrates a level of inclusive by the district.
absolutely agree that it is good to have that holiday off. we didn't always get it. and it isn't that we shouldn't have that day off. it is that (at least in our district) we already had 2 mondays off (one teacher work day and labor day) and school has only been in session for six weeks! there are just so many things to celebrate as a nation that aren't religious holidays and my goodness it does add up. I recognize I sound a little bit like a Scrooge, and yet for full-time working parents, it tends to mean that it feels like you rarely get a five days work week (and that isn't counting when kids get sick!). but thank you for pointing that out.
Not a scrooge at all! I get it. Sometimes I wish schools would just give kids an alloted amount of excused days (kinda like work vacation days) that would not detract from attendance records and give families more flexibility. I think the whole model of schools having to be open a certain number of days is also flawed. There has to be a better way!
I thought that my school schedule was annoying, but actually, you win! It's the minimum days for me. That's new.
I know. It is very common in California so you just kind of get normalized to it, but nothing about it is normal.
Excellent write up Cindy
Do you want to hear a truly insane schedule gap between my two kids, who are in different school systems (one private - thanks to public schools' handling of the pandemic - and one public). Daughter started school Aug 7, son started school Aug. 29. Son has week break in October and February that daughter doesn't have. This year their winter breaks don't match up - they're a week apart.
And yes, we have minimum days too - our public school system does them on Wednesdays.
It's all TOO FUCKING MUCH.
The power went out at my kids school last week and they sent out a text to all the parents requesting we pick up our kids asap. 🙃 I work from home and was able to drop what I was doing and go, but there was only one hour of school left - couldn’t they just read quietly or ...?? 🤷🏻♀️ those minimum day and late start shenanigans though!!!
Those minimum days and weird end times are WILD. I always find myself confused when moms with bigger kids tell moms with toddlers, “Don’t worry, soon they’ll be in school and you’ll get your life back!” Between drop off and pick up, there are 6 hours. That’s not much time to work, eat, shop, exercise, plan dinner, and the millions of other things I have to do. And with the amount of illness and holidays there aren’t that many of those 6 hour days anyway. I truly don’t understand how any household manages two full time working parents without a huge amount of support in place.
Agreed. It is because we are still stuck in a society that is set up for someone to be at home. I just don't know what we do about it, other than bitching, and dealing with the childcare crisis which is some of what this is as well.
This was such an entertaining piece to read! 😅
I can’t say that I experience this specific kind of insanity as a “unschool/homeschool” mom (believe me we have our own) but my goodness, I see now, that ALL mothers are finding it hard to find adequate time for effective and efficient work to get an income. I was complaining because I am constantly being interrupted by my child’s extra needs (autism) but you moms are interrupted directly by school schedules! The one thing that is actually supposed to give you time to do all the things you need to do for yourself! I can’t say I have the energy to fight to change policies but I can say that I am advocate to create brand new systems with brand new policies that center in mother and our needs so we can at least have the opportunity to be the best moms we can possibly be. The whole system- the entire society just seems like it is all specifically designed to make mothers insane!
Just want to add and acknowledge how no mother would ever be able to work a traditional 8-5 job and successfully climb a corporate ladder dealing with this kind of schedule- it makes you wonder if it’s intentional to keep the number of women in the workforce down. Just a thought...
Came here to say this.
Yep. Not possible without full time help, or a partner who is home.
I feel you on all the days off but feel compelled to share that 9/25 is Yom Kippur. As a Jewish mom, I can say having this day off is important for a lot of Jewish families and demonstrates a level of inclusive by the district.
*inclusivity
absolutely agree that it is good to have that holiday off. we didn't always get it. and it isn't that we shouldn't have that day off. it is that (at least in our district) we already had 2 mondays off (one teacher work day and labor day) and school has only been in session for six weeks! there are just so many things to celebrate as a nation that aren't religious holidays and my goodness it does add up. I recognize I sound a little bit like a Scrooge, and yet for full-time working parents, it tends to mean that it feels like you rarely get a five days work week (and that isn't counting when kids get sick!). but thank you for pointing that out.
Not a scrooge at all! I get it. Sometimes I wish schools would just give kids an alloted amount of excused days (kinda like work vacation days) that would not detract from attendance records and give families more flexibility. I think the whole model of schools having to be open a certain number of days is also flawed. There has to be a better way!