How do you manage school hours and work?

Great question; aaahhh the dilemma of 9-3 school hours! Like me if you're a working mum sending your kids off to school in the next year or two you're probably starting to think 'yikes - I've only just got child care working well how on earth am I going to manage working around school hours?'

Don't panic, here's a few useful tips that might help:

1. Think outside the square and be prepared to be flexible and explore a multitude of options rather than putting all your eggs into one solution - plan B is important!

2. After school care is going to be an important part of the support network you’ll need in place when your child starts school but it's popular and often over-subscribed so if you know the school your child is likely to attend, call in advance and see if there's a waiting list application you can put your name on.

3. Explore with your employer(both parents) if it’s an option to leave or finish early from work one or two days a week so you can share the pick up and drop off together. I know people who have negotiated shorter working days and work from home to help their kids settle into the first term and year of school.

4. Ask for help - can family help out one or two days a week with the pick up and drop off two days per week?

5. Look into employing a mother’s helper/babysitter to do the drop off and/or after school care – this this way the carer can help the kids with homework and prepare meals too!

6. Do you know other parents with kids starting school the same year who you could share the pick up and drop off duties with?

I hope this provides some food for thought and that you're able to select a few options that will work for your family. The trick is to get creative and be flexible!

mums@work team