Childcare 9yr old-what would you do?

[rapunzel]

Hi all

I've just been offered a job that I would love to accept but have a childcare issue that I'd like to hear others opinions on.
I have 2 children - a 15yo and a soon to be 9 yo. Unfortunately I have no one to help with childcare and DP works long hours so I will have to use after school club on the days I'm working. The problem is that my job finishes at 5.30 and after school club closes at 6..with traffic etc I'm going to be cutting it fine to get there in time to collect her ( and got the guilt that she'll be the last one sitting there each time) My 15 yo finishes early 2 days a week and would be able to collect and watch DD till I get back on those days BUT he's started an after school paper round which he loves and is earning him good money. I really can't ask him to give it up as it wouldn't be fair, as it also would be in asking him to take DD on his round with him ( he takes his bike and walking with her would mean his round took about an hour) So.. My question is would you let DS collect DD on the days he can and leave her alone in the house whilst DS does his 30 min round or just use the after school club and hope that you can get there on time? Or say no to the job offer as finish time isn't suitable for your childcare arrangements (finish time is non negotiable btw) Argh!
DD is very sensible but I just don't know if I'd be happy leaving her alone for those 30 mins just in case. What would you do?

[almostthirty]

I think there could be a couple of solutions

1. pay ds to look after dd so he wouldn't miss having own money but wouldn't need paper Round (you would be paying for after school care anyway)
   
2. could ds pick dd up from after school club after paper Round?
   
3. work through a break to leave 15-30min early

[FlaviaAnsell]

Could DS collect her from after school club after his paper round?

Is she only just nine or nearly ten? I think a year can make a big difference. But if she's happy to be left, and it is just for 30 min, I don't see why not.

[MaybeDoctor]

Can he pick her up, come home, then you all help with the paper round?

[willconcern]

Well, I would leave 9 year old DD for that half hour.

Or get DS to collect DD from after school club on the way back from paper round.

[reedy123]

Firstly I would check your 15yr old is allowed to do a pick up from an ASC as he is not over 18.

I used to finish work, collect my eldest Son who was in secondary school (aged 14) and drive to the primary school to pick my other son up (age 11) from the ASC. It was a nightmare to park so I got my eldest to jump out thinking this would be fine for him to run in and then both come to the car.

I then had a teacher accompany them both to the car telling me this was not allowed!

In your situation I would ask if you could leave at 5.15pm instead of 5.30pm? Maybe offer to reduce your lunch by 15mins.

Good luck.

[mimishimmi]

Our 15 year old DD picks up our 9 year old DS from afterschool care 2 days a week. I would not feel comfortable if he was home alone.