Sort of OT: May have to take a semester off

[aprilfoolwed]

I could just cry.

I left my super-fun job as a teacher's aide in favor of going back and getting my own teaching certification. It seemed like the best decision, and so far it's been a good experience (although Iam in over my head a bit this semester).

My school just released the Fall 2011 class schedule, and I am just sick. I have one specific class I have to take - I can't register for anything else until I have this class (I was told I could take another class at the same time, but unless I take this class, I can't do anything else).

I am a night-time student, and the class is only offered days. And it's only offered MWF 11-12.

My youngest child is going to kindergarten next year - regardless if he gets in AM or PM, he has to get a bus at some point around 11:45.

I have no one who can help with getting him on/off the bus. i have no other option for taking this class. If I don't take it - I can't continue with my school. And it won't be offered again until Fall 2012.

I also have to add, I have a tuition exchange at a specific school (due to DH's job) so I have to take my classes there. I don't have any financial aid or loans, so I really can't go anywhere else.

It's just Murphy's Law that this one class that I need is offered in the one hour a day that I can't possibly be there.

 

[Darcy03231]

I have two suggestions:

1. Look into private full day kindergarten. You could do it for just the one semester and then swap over to public kindergarten.

2. Check with your local senior center and see if there's a senior that wants to make a little bit of cash by getting your child off the bus and home for those three days a week. I did this one year when I needed about 30 minutes a day of after school care. The lady I got was wonderful. I ended up using her for other babysitting. My kids are now in their late teens and early 20's and they still talk fondly about her.

 

[mrudman]

, sorry.. that really stinks that they don't offer it more than one time.

Maybe look into before or after school care for him for those 3 days? I know our school district offers childcare after school for about $60/week.

Not sure how it would work though with it being in the middle of the day like that. But I have seen local childcare busses at the school at noon.. maybe see how much it would be for him to attend there just for those 3 days?

I know it's not the most ideal situation, but might be cheaper in the long run, instead of having you delay a semester.

 

[Tink9295]

First of all congratulations!!! I too am a Paraprofessional in the school systems. Although I've had a lot of people tell me to go back and get my certification, it's far easier said than done. You've taken a giant leap and should be very proud of yourself. Don't worry it will work out. There have already been some great ideas posted. Also try the local YMCA or community centers. They all have programs for students as well as some churches in our area. Like one posted said, it's only for one semester and it will be over before you know. Think of it as a great way for your child to make friendships with other kids.

Best of Luck and Congratulations.

 

[kellyg403]

How about seeing if it is offered as an online class? My dd was in a similar predicament and found they offered the class she needed online so she could do it on her schedule more or less.

At my dd's college there are postings for daycare/sitting/willing to daycare/sit. You need someone for a small amount of time. Maybe there is someone who is going to the school who has that timeframe open and can put your child on the bus and you can pick their child up or something.


Kelly

 

[DisneyScraps]

You can find a way around this, get creative!

Lisa

 

[bumbershoot]

Can you make friends with parents of kids in his class, and arrange for play dates on those days so they can either take him to school or bring him home to their house after?

You have the whole summer to find someone to help; I'm sure you can do it!

 

[Leajess99]

Please don't give up. There are options out there for you. Have you talked face to face with your adviser?? I know that I was able to get an adviser override for one of my classes which allowed for me to take the later class prior to the prerequisite. It may be an option.

Also, what about a local daycare or state licensed provider?? I would talk to the school district and see if they have any other options for your child. Do you know any of the parents that will be having children in the same class with your child?? Since it is just a short time than you may be able to work a deal with another mom to watch your child for about an hour on those days and then give that mom a break on the other days.

Don't give up as there are options out there and right now you are upset and may not be looking at all the possibilities.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Don't cry - there are always options!

I would bet that several of the kids in your older kids' classes have younger siblings that will be in Kindergarten next year. Find a few, and maybe you can do a swap. Half day classes are a PITA - if someone asked me to pick up their kid for 3 days, and offer to pick up the other two, I'd jump on it. Then tell them in the spring, when your class is over, you can flip flop, and you pick up 3 days and the other mom 2. The kids get a little playdate, you get to go to class - win/win.

Good luck!!!

 

[allison443]

OP you wouldn't be taking a semester off, it would be a whole year! (since you can't take anything else till you take this class, and it's only offered in the fall.)

Don't give up-figure out a solution! I notice in your signature you have older kids. Find out if anyone else at their school has a kid also starting kindergarten and if you can hire them to take your child to or from the bus or even the school. Talk to the teachers that you know, or the other moms. It's only three days a week right? A SAHM might be glad to pick up a few extra dollars. Can you choose morning or afternoon session for kindergarten? If you are allowed to choose, then I would work out your plan first and pick your session based on that, not wait until you are assigned a session and then have to work around that, kwim?

I also agree with the other suggestions to look into full day programs, or if your school has afterschool care.

I would just start talking and "networking" with other parents, neighbors, if you belong to a church, etc. and that may help find a solution. You can't let this stop you from reaching your goal!

Good luck!

 

[brymolmom]

You can do this - plenty of time to work something out. Start talking to some neighbors. If paying someone isn't in the budget - try setting up babysitting swap - you can get their kids on the bus in the mornings....if they can get yours off and watch for an hour those 3 days a week. Even if you know the people you're talking to aren't in this situation - talk to them anyway - they might know of others in a different neighborhood or other that might be wanting to work out an arrangment.

START NOW! Go out tomorrow and start speaking with neighbors and friends. If you have friends with kids already at the elementary school - ask them if they have kids in their classes with siblings who might be in Kindy next year...if you hook up with one of them if they have a stay at home parent - they might be very willing to bring in some extra cash - they need to be there for their own K child anyway.

 

[StephMK]

Please don't give up!!! I am in my final semester of getting my cert too (student teaching now) and know how tough it is w/kids. But I think you have made the leap, keep going!! I would imagine that at every elementary school, there are at least a few moms who watch kids.

I found another mom by accident on craiglist. Her DS is the same age as my DS & my kids LOVE going to her house. She has been great about watching them only the semesters I need help. Ask your school secretary, check the state licensed list of homes, find someone close to school that can watch kids those days. There must be other kids that need care in a 1/2 day program, you can solve this! Especially for a semester.

Don't give up, you can do this!!

 

[tipsytrtle]

dont give up! if you have to take it at another college (make sure it transfers 1st) and pay for it

find a local parent to watch your child for the hour or so 3x week for a extra 30-50 a week.. dont give up!

 

[Green Tea]

You can find a way around this, get creative!

Lisa

I agree.

 

[DCbride]

Many of our colleges have a child care center on site see if you have one. It would probably cost less to have someone babysit for an hr and help with the bus then to switch to private K. But it is an option. You are very lucky to have your DH's work pay for the classes. I would definitely look into trying to make it work. That would get you into the workforce a semester sooner.

 

[comicguy]

Check w/ the professor about doing it as an indy study.

or how about an on-line course that hits all the requirements (might go by a diff. name) Check with the school and see if they would accept the credits as transfer first.

I had to do this with a grad class to increase my teacher certification. The class was only offered on M and W from 11-12:30 (Kind of lame as most people who needed the class were already teachers!! and were currently teaching!!)

Hope this helps and good luck

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

I have started talking to some moms in the neighborhood (haven't found anyone who can help yet, but maybe someone will know someone...). We're also looking into trying to find another school that offers the class that is transferable.

I will get to meet with my advisor in early April. The other colleges in our area don't even have their Fall 2011 stuff posted yet, so I hope by the time I meet with her, I will have a more concrete schedule available.

I don't want to take the time off. As frustrating and difficult as this whole process is (I don't even want to think about student teaching yet! I have a hard enough time trying to work my 2 40-hour field experiences into my schedule now!), I want to finish sooner rather than later.

I just wish that these colleges would be more flexible at times. I am an evening student, and this REQUIRED class is not offered EVER at night (or online). I don't mind taking it in the day, as long as I can get there.

Hoping to find a class at another school. Worse case, maybe I can find out if I can do it distance learning from another college outside of my area?

 

[ajk912]

So your 4 year old son will be going to kindergarten in the fall? So he will be still four, or a new 5? I'd hold him back, put him in a preschool that will cover the hours you need it (I know some even go to 2pm or 6pm). I'd hold back a 4 year old boy anyway, and this would be the last nail in the coffin. Lots of luck!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

He'll be 5 in April, so a good solid 5 by September. He has to go to Kindergarten - after 2 years in preschool he's ready! I wish there was a fullday program for him to do!

 

[jodifla]

OP, I'd find a way to deal with this and not put your college on hold. They could offer another inconvenient schedule next year too...and you may end up never finishing.