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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To drag my baby into central London during rush hour?

66 replies

Rumplestrumpet · 22/02/2016 19:46

I'm going back to work from mat leave in August and it looks like I'll have to bring my baby (then 13 months) into work with me to use the work nursery. This is because a) local nurseries are outrageously expensive (ie more than I earn as a lowly civil servant) and b) there aren't any spaces anyway even if I could afford it.

The work nursery is affordable, partly because we pay based on our grade, so those who earn more pay more, and it has really good ratings and Ofsted report. But after getting on the tube today at non-busy times, I can't quite see how I would do it during rush hour. It would involve a 25 min train journey plus a 25 min tube journey into the office.

Does anyone have any experience? Do people use slings or buggies? I can't imagine either would be much appreciated by other passengers....

I'm hoping this will only be 2 or 3 days a week, but as I have no promise of a part time position I can't be sure of it. Will the whole thing just be completely miserable?!

Welcome experience/advice/tips!

OP posts:

Jibberjabberjooo · 22/02/2016 20:25

Used to do it with ds twice a week, but in a buggy not a sling. Bought a small foldable pushchair. Didn't get the tube though, only the train. Is the tube your only option? What about bus or walking some of it? Lots of people do it, at first it was daunting but it was fine really.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 22/02/2016 20:30

If you are planning another child, don't do it. You'll have to take DC1 out of nursery when you're on mat leave.

If you travel for work, even for regular meetings don't do it - as you'll have to go into the office first before you can go anywhere else.

And If you ever want a sneaky day off while DC is in nursery - don't do it.

ozymandiusking · 22/02/2016 20:30

Well watching the programme on channel 4 about air quality and pollution,
there's no way I would take my baby/ child into London. The risk is just too great.

witsender · 22/02/2016 20:35

A decent sling, and go with it. I would far rather have LO near me than a 50min commute away.

laughingGnomette · 22/02/2016 20:37

I did it five days a week with DS from the age of nine months to 3 years. It was a mix of bus for 20 mins and then tube for a couple of stops so not too bad. Until he was about two years old it was ok but as he got bigger and heavier it became more of a chore, also he started hating the journey and was playing up/getting bored more often. When tubes are down it was also a nightmare. It's also horrible if they get sick at nursery and you have to travel all the way home with them - thankfully that's rare though!
I'd say go for it but keep your eyes peeled for something affordable locally. We managed to secure a place at a local authority nursery (after a year and a half on the waiting list!) and I'm like a new woman in the evenings without the exhausting commute with DS (despite being five months pregnant!), I have so much more energy.

cogitosum · 22/02/2016 20:38

Ozyman I guess all the children who live in London are fucked then!

museumum · 22/02/2016 20:45

I knew lots of people who used imperial college's nursery. A combo of trains, walking, buses and using flexi time to travel slightly outside the busiest times.
25mins on the tube after your train journey sounds like you must live on the opposite side of the city from your work? Difficult to advise without knowing your actual route.

NattyTile · 22/02/2016 20:46

Sling and super lightweight folding buggy. Might be a faff but you'll know he's close by when you're at work; you'll be able to get back to him vv quickly in a crisis. And he will be with you for more of the day.

AppleAndBlackberry · 22/02/2016 20:48

I'm not sure I'd do this with a toddler but one of mine hated the buggy and was desperate to be on the move at all times. I suppose she might have stayed quiet with Peppa Pig on the iPad but that's a lot of Peppa!

Blu · 22/02/2016 20:50

How do you avoid peak rush hour when travelling to work?

If I travel into the City in time for a 9am mtg I am usually physically a bit crushed with someone's backpack jabbing into me. More physical crushing when the people furthest from the doors push through to get off. Snacks, books and drinks are not going to solve that!

And it's no use saying 'wait for the next train ': it will be as bad. I recently had to let 13 trains go by before I could force my way on.

If you are on a less crowded line close to the start and can get a seat in the centre of the row it could be easier.

MrsDeVere · 22/02/2016 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDeVere · 22/02/2016 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kittykatmacbill · 22/02/2016 20:53

Can't really give you much practical help other than general jealousy about you having a workplace nursery, as 2x children care utterly wipes out my earnjngs... And the fact my fairly solid 2 3/4 dd is very comfy to carry in a baby ergo sling still. So that aspect is utterly doable and she would adore being on the train and tube that much each day making person comments about the other commuters 'mama mama that man is eating' etc

Charley50 · 22/02/2016 20:54

I think i would rather find a childminder. A friend did it for a while. She is a proper hardcore power mum; nothing fazed her... She found it a nightmare.
When my DS was little, my commute was a bit of me time to read a book. I'd hate the stress, to both of us, of taking him on the tube any more than two days a week. Plus the tubes are getting busier and busier and rush hour seems to start earlier and end later. Sorry to be negative.

Artandco · 22/02/2016 20:54

Blu - you go in earlier. 8-9am is peak rush hour. 7-8am is much quieter. Dh or myself if we need to tube in for 9am meeting we usually leave at 7.15am, arrive before 8am and use 8-9am for breakfast and reading.

waterrat · 22/02/2016 21:08

Don't do it ..As others have said you would have to remove your child from that nursery if you have another baby. And they would be settled etc and then you wouldn't want to commute with two.

Also.what if you are ill or want to take some holiday but leave your child in childcare for some reason.

My children are at childminder who is now like another member of their family.. really can't imagine your nursery will be cheaper than childminder. It's so amazing leaving them at the end of my road with a woman who loves them..In a family home and knowing they are having a cosy day . I would absolutely hate them to do my commute with me ..better they are lying relaxing on a sofa at the childminders after tea when they are tired.

AGrandUsername · 22/02/2016 21:13

Well, not even my first but the few times I've had to take dd either to or from Gt Ormond Street in rush hour I honestly nearly cried. It was hell, and I don't remember it being so bad with ds either. It was only tube but we were squashed, tutted, barged on stairs... the heat, crying.....

LovelyBranches · 22/02/2016 21:13

Op I don't live near London but I commute daily into my city centre work based childcare, I used this childcare for the same reasons as you and it' very useful to be able to pop in at a moments notice.

Pro's
You commute together so spend more time together
You are close to your DC in the day if they need anything

My childcare is cheaper and it's a far better quality nursery than my local nursery.

Because of the work connection, the nursery staff know me and DS a bit more and he's comfortable going there.

Cons
I drive, so traffic is a nightmare

DH gets away with doing absolutely none of the childcare pick ups/drop offs.

If we are running late DH has been known to run out of the door like the mad hatter leaving me to deal with a child who is guaranteed to poo as soon as I put my foot in the hallway.

DS is now a little toddler, who wants to walk instead of being picked up, the car park is a block away from nursery and this can add another 20 mins there and back

There have been days where it's taken an absolute age to get home and poor DS is stuck in the back of the car.

Original poster

Rumplestrumpet · 22/02/2016 21:44

Wow, thanks for all the comments, and plenty to think about!
Added complication - we're actually in the process of buying a house and aren't certain where we'll be living yet. But it is likely to be to the east of London, but I work in Westminster. So either Stratford or Liverpool Street as the points to get the tube, and bus across London not viable ... And I also don't yet know what my role will be, so can't know what hours I'll be able to work...

Well I think the trick is to look again at local nurseries once we know where we'll be living and see if anything affordable pops up. I am reassured to have the work option as a fall back, but recognise it is not going to be easy...

I may be back here in a few months asking for more tips regarding our particular route!

Thanks again.

OP posts:

LauraMipsum · 22/02/2016 21:56

I commute in to central London with DD two days a week. She started there at 5 months and she's now 15 months.

It was super easy at 5 months, she slept in the sling all the way there and all the way back.

Slightly more challenging now particularly since she prefers to walk to nursery, it's a 10 minute walk from the tube at adult pace, but perfectly doable.

We use the buggy if I have a lot to bring with me, and sneery commuters be damned. The buggy is actually quite simple as she is usually happy to sit in there for the journey.

We usually use the sling though and probably will until she's two or over, just because it's easy. I also now bring books / snacks / her Upsy Daisy doll for entertainment.

It's lovely bonding time on the days when she sits on my lap and we play all the way there. It's the fifth circle of hell when she's screaming.

Nanny0gg · 22/02/2016 22:03

Why aren't you considering a child minder if you can't find a nursery?

edwinbear · 22/02/2016 22:08

I used to take a Phil and Ted's to Canary Wharf to use the nursery near my work for two children. Sometimes it was tricky but generally it was fine. It gave us extra time together in the mornings and evenings and as it was close to work I could pop out to see Christmas shows/Easter shows/sports day etc. Plus if there ever was a problem with illness or being particularly unsettled I could be there in less than 5 minutes. Worked for us.

peaceoftheaction · 22/02/2016 22:11

I think the sling would potentially make the baby and you very hot and could be unsafe. Also, I found mine were only in the sling a few months at most, especially if it's a heavy baby.
Can you jiggle your hours about eg starting later so that you can take a buggy?

tinkerbellvspredator · 22/02/2016 22:15

If you get the jubilee line from Stratford to Westminster and travelled in for 8 and left before 4.30 the tube part will be pretty civilised in my opinion no problem with a buggy

FankEweVeryMuch · 22/02/2016 22:18

Well, if you could take the jubilee line from Stratford where it starts so it's a bit easier to get a seat. Get off at Waterloo and walk to work?

Liverpool Street to Westminster is a bit more tricky though.

For me it would depend on the cost savings.

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