What did you do when your youngest went off to Kindergarden?

[2TxAgs]

My baby starts full day Kindergarden in the fall.....I'm wondering what I'll do with my time? I'm thinking P/T job, but I don't know what, and I wonder how much 'free' time I'll actually have.

What did you do when all your kids went off to school?????

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Given that they are 15 & 13 now let's see if my memory will retrieve that far back!

Hmm....received the first full dozen roses ever from hubby when oldest started.

And changed jobs so I'd actually have more flexibility in schedule for volunteer activities, etc when youngest started. Had grown very tired of 80 hour weeks away from home with lots of travel.

Deb

 

[disykat]

Kindergarten is only 2.5 hours here so I didn't have that much time. When he started 1st grade, I started substitute teaching at his school. Since I limit the number of days I work, most of my time is spent either taking care of household stuff or doing volunteer work at school and church. You'll be amazed at how busy you might stay. I actually decided to back down a bit. At the beginning I was worried I would be bored and worked too many days and started too many projects.

 

[browneyes]

I finished up my Associate's Degree. My school schedule worked around his and his sister's school schedules.

My kids kindergarten schedules were full time schedules, from 7:40 am to 2:30 pm.

 

[tc]

I did a lot of volunteering at the church and school. I was at school at least 4 days a week volunteering in their class rooms. I was pretty sick through most of their elementary and middle school years, so a job was really not an option.

I went to work part-time when my youngest was a Freshman in H.S. Went fulltime after she graduated.

 

[FOJMO]

It was go to work, as usual. DD is 17 now and I still work. Wouldn't have it any other way!

BUT, if you feel you have so much time on your hands, I'm sure there are plenty of volunteer opportunities that you could do. Check with your church.

 

[grinningghost]

I was working full time when DD started kindergarten. She was in day care and got the bus there. I wanted to see her get on the bus for her first day, so I sneaked out of work at lunchtime (she was in PM kindergarten) and watched her get on the bus from a distance. She would have been mortified if I had approached her - she was confident she was going to handle this all on her own. She was a painfully shy child and I wanted to see her do this without a problem. She did!

 

[Robin]

Caitlyn starts kindergarten next fall... we just had her 5th birthday last week. I am already teary eyed just thinking about her in a 'Big Girl School'... I currently work full time and will continue to do the same.

 

[Mermaid02]

Went back to college!!

 

[Lachesis00]

Went to work too I was sooo bored. Im not a SAH-person at all.

 

[Cindy B]

My youngest in in K this year, so this is what I have done so far...

I worked four different part time jobs.

I started part time at a YMCA ( a job that I had previously and worked around the kids pre school schedules) I also worked 25 hours a week at a local college.


Then I didn't work for a few months due to a move, and then I worked at a horrible part time job for two weeks, and now I am working part time as a teachers assistant at my local districts middle school.

I love it!

 

[NancyIL]

In my case - I homeschooled my kids until the youngest was ready for 6th grade a year and a half ago. I love being home, and don't know what I'd do if I went back to a paying job.

 

[2TxAgs]

I do quite a bit of volunteering now (PTA board, Scout leader, etc.), but I just wonder whether it will be 'enough'. I have been a SAH mom for 6 yrs, but worked full time for 12 yrs before that. I'm not much of a home-maker, not particularly tidy or concerned about a neat house, so that won't be enough.

Frankly, I'm afraid I'll sit here and DIS for hours on end, and that won't do!

I've considered signing up as a substitute at the kids' school....

I just wondered whether others felt a bit 'lost' when their kids all went to school...

Thanks for your input!

TxAg

 

[disykat]

Whether it will be "enough" is hard to tell. I substitute teach and volunteer so I can be as busy as I want to - or not. However, I do miss having my own class and the continuity of a job (subbing just isn't the same). I miss the kudos that comes with work and the feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day. I will go back to work for those things eventually. At this point though I'm still putting those needs aside and doing what is best for my current family circumstances. If I start to go crazy I'll reevaluate.

I would definately try subbing. If you hate it you can always stop at any time. It is very convenient to not have to worry about care for the kids (my Principal okayed mine sticking with me before and after school) or sick days etc. This is my second year doing this and I know there are several other Dis'ers out there that do the same thing.

I think whether you WOTH or not, there is a bit of loss that comes with your youngest starting school. (just my opinion here) It's hard to see our babies grow up! For a SAHM there is the added element of your daytime "job" disappearing. Several friends and I have been through this in the last few years and we noticed that we all had too much to do - we had all loaded up our schedules thinking we would have too much free time.

 

[susy]

I taught preschool before I had DS. He will start kindergarten in the fall also. I have applied to a master's plus certification program for elementary education. My plan is to drop him at school, go to classes and study at teh library all day, pick him up and go home. Has anyone done school while your kids are in school and how did it work out? I was an A student (3.8 for my BS degree), but that was 10 years ago and I'm not sure how I will do with a husband and child to think about. Any advice appreciated! I will have my mom to watch him in mornings if he is sick, so that I will at least get to class. How do I do housework, cooking, etc.???

 

[Mskanga]

This is what I did the first day of my youngest dd's kindergarten:
I'm the one on the right of the picture in black, the other one is my friend.

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts...hoto=00MP00EK000171&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1

And I will be doing it again this year if I can help it!

 

[worm761]

well, my DS only went to half-day kindergarten (read 2.5 hrs). i volunteered in the class as often as i could. other than that i was pretty lost as to what to do. i usually went to see one of my friends at her job. she works at a laundromat so i would help her out and talk to her till it was time to pick him up. i tried going home and cleaning up but i just couldnt do it. didnt really know what to do with myself. DS is in first grade and i homeschool him now. i was going to go get a part time job to fill up my free time.

 

[wld]

Once my youngest went to kindergarten I was ready to do something for myself. So I went back to school and got my RN. Still had plenty of time to be the Brownie Leader, OM Coach, 4h leader, all around volunteer. Got my degree 3 years later and worked part time to still have plenty of time with the kids.

My first year of working was our first trip to WDW. Kids saw a definite advantage to mom working and DH told me I was a better and happier person.
Still glad I stayed home while they were at home.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by 2TxAgs
My baby starts full day Kindergarden in the fall.....I'm wondering what I'll do with my time? I'm thinking P/T job, but I don't know what, and I wonder how much 'free' time I'll actually have.

What did you do when all your kids went off to school?????

I'm currently in your same situation. I was thinking P/T also but, I still need school-hours, if you know what I mean. Hope we both find something that fits!