Between January 1st and the end of the school year, Juliana is off school 8 days that are work days for me. 8 Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays that I need to find a way to keep her busy while I work or use a vacation day. To make it even more interesting, childcare is closed for 3 of those days (President’s Day and Good Friday/Easter Monday). On those days I have to take at least a half-day and there is the possibility of working in the afternoon while they nap.
Presidents Day we had an awesome morning at the zoo and then I worked in the afternoon while Juliana was with my mom and the boys slept.
This past weekend was a 4-day weekend for Juliana, there were in-service days at school both yesterday and today. I do my best to schedule Dr, dentist and other appointments on her days off and today I scheduled haircuts for both of us. We couldn’t have an outing without a lunch date complete with grilled cheese, chicken noodle soup and milkshakes – a lunch that makes everyone happy.
I understand the need for in-service days for parent-teacher conferences and other meetings. If you add the 8 days in this half of the year and the 5 days from the first half and don’t forget Christmas break…that is over 3 weeks of days that Juliana doesn’t have school in addition to holidays. I am fortunate to have some flexibility with work and especially blessed to have the help of my parents on these occasions. I don’t know how people without help or job flexibility handle all of the random days off school.
some of my favorite days are when my coworker brings her son to work. he is now six and it has always been a pleasure to have him here, although the office was more abuzz when we could take turns holding a baby and “working” (ha!). now that he is older he more plays with legos quietly or watches a movie in the conference room. still, makes the day so much more fun to see a little person walking around.
gotta agree with you, though. i feel terrible for parents with less flexible employers.
What’s up with Ruslan’s mink stole? Pretty fancy for just hanging around the house
LOL!
For the short 1-day holidays, my day care is open, but for longer breaks, they close with the school and it can be frustrating. I am lucky that my company is awesome and flexible, but I know some other parents have a very hard time finding childcare during Christmas or Easter break.