Hi freelance
In my experience (DS in yr1) school is still set up around the assumption that somebody is at home therefore able to do the drop/collect.
From the notices on school windows, to daytime meetings about the curiculum to the 12 weeks of holiday it really isn't set up for working parents, especially those in 9 - 5 roles etc. I didn't realise the extent of its work unfriendlyness until he started, when he was in nursery 8 - 6 it was all so simple!
So the ability to work flexibly to accomodate this/some of this is a true gift and something that many parents would love to be able to do.
The benefit of working now means you'll have an established business by the time it is school time and can hopefully work when you want. To be honest they'll not really remember the early years as long as they are loved & fed etc. Once they get to school age the start to remember things.
I find that freelancing is a complete rollercoaster. From the changing flow of too much work/not enough work etc to cash flow to deaing with client issues on my own.
I often glance at the job pages thinking 'What if?'. However when I finish mat leave I want to work until school finish on Mon, all day Tues, Wed, Thurs and then off on Friday. Where do you find a job that will agree to that? Not easily. That is the single thing that keeps me going during my doubt phases.
As an side, I remember reading an interview in Management Today with Emma Gilpin, Global Comms Director, FT about working and having kids. She said the best bit of advice she'd been given is "when you are with your kids be 100% with them". Which I think is a good mantra for those of use with limited time with the kids.
Good luck with the weekend plan.