Extra curricular activities and working parents

[Iamboudicca]

AIBU to ask how you all manage it?

DD 6 is keen to start gymnastics and/or Beavers. However all the sessions seem to be at 4pm on a Tuesday or simmilar. Even if I can find a session on my current day off, if she moves up a class and it changes to Thursday I’ll be stuffed. Also my day off is not set in stone and I ( and DH) often have to change work patterns.

Unfortunately afterschool club doesn’t offer these options. So how did you get round this or are all these clubs just for DCs with a SAHP?

Either that or nannies.

Find other things they can do. Mine missed out on after school activities, but then I took them other sports clubs that were on later.

DD does gymnastics 5.15pm - 7.15pm on a weekday when DH and I are still at work. I pay her wrap around club extra to take her. DH picks her up at 7.15pm.

I also think the sports clubs mine went to later were mainly populated by kids with both parents working, as they could afford them, and those who got to go to the after school clubs, as they had one parent at home, couldn't.

It’s so annoying isn’t it! My dd does stuff that’s at 5.30 or later or at a weekend. One of her classes is due to change to 4.15 next year and she may have to give it up and she loves it....it sucks.

I get babysitters.

Bit easier as they get older, as then the sessions are on a bit later.

Your situation is complicated by the day off moving around, tbh.

Does anyone else from school go to Beavers or gym and would take her in those days, in return for play dates etc.? That happens a lot at our school. Presumably no grandparents etc nearby to ask to help?

Beavers probably will only be weekdays, but look for other activities on a weekend if that’s easier. If there isn’t gym is there cheer with acro, or a dance class etc.

Could you pay someone to drop her off at the club and you collect later?

Honestly although this may not be the answer you want it is the main reason I work part time. It would just not be feasible for my DC to do their activities otherwise. I also was very lucky and managed to find a job with fixed days. The fixed days may change in the future and in that case I will be screwed.

The other answer is people flex their hours (although that would not be possible in my line of work) or do activities at the weekend.

This is why DC only went to Beavers and later Cubs (both on a Tuesday). Started at 6/6.30 respectively and I agreed with work that I finished work earlier on that day if possible so I could give them tea beforehand. I now work locally and do a 4 1/2 day week so I can finish early 2 days per week. Clubs run at the school we’re fine as the dc could go to the after school childcare afterwards but you still had to pay for a full session.

Alas flex hours are not possible for us. It looks like we’ll just have to wait till she’s in year 3 and can join the after school gymnatics. That and keep looking for a Saturday session.

You just have to find a club that suits you, even if that means travelling a small distance.

my ds’s are in activities every evening and all weekend (except Friday night as that’s family downtime) we both work F/T and more.

But we love it and wouldn’t change it.

I've had to research carefully and find weekend lessons/options a bit further away