What Do You Do On Your Own Kids First And Last Days Of School?

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

Do you take the DCK"S with you or do you reserve that day as just yours and your own childs day.

My son will be graduating 2 kindy classes this year, and then in Sept he will be going into grade 1.

To me it is a special moment as he is my last baby!!

So what would you do?

[AnneCordelia]

It's a working day like any other! I do get up early and make them a big hot breakfast to kick off the school year...but the daycare kids come as usual. I have four kids and would have no vacation time left if I took off for beginning/end of school year, birthdays, etc.

[cheerfuldom]

My provider friend always takes the first day of school off for her kids. I dont have any school agers. If they have some ceremony planned, I wouldnt miss it for your son though.

[bice99]

It's in my handbook - both are closed. As an 11 year elementary teacher veteran, I go in and help my girls' teachers unload and organize the mountain of supplies on the first day. This year I ended up helping 2 other first grade teachers as well. I help clean up on the final day and bring pizza or treats in for my girls' classes

[Kiki]

I only take off for special programs, and very first days of school (Kindergarten!). Most of the programs at my daughters school are late enough that I just close for the afternoon, instead of the full day.

[sharlan]

It's a working day like any other! I do get up early and make them a big hot breakfast to kick off the school year...but the daycare kids come as usual. I have four kids and would have no vacation time left if I took off for beginning/end of school year, birthdays, etc.

I did the same with my kids and do the same with my grandkids.

[KBCsMommy]

My son starts kindergarten next. You can bet I will NOT be working that day!!

Not only do I want to take him to school without the DC kids, but I need ALOT of time to recover!! Im going to be a wreck!!! Hes my baby!!

[Rachel]

This year I was lucky, the school year started a few days before the daycare year, so I was able to be there on the first day for dd who started 1st. Also we start slowly (first day 8 - 10, second 8 - 12, third regular), so I was able to take ds for his first day of pre-school right when it opened (at 7:30, across the street), and pick him up after.

[KDC]

My Oldest son's first day just happened to fall on when a DC family was starting back after having the summer off (unpaid). I told her I couldn't start that day as it was the first day of school... well, I made the mistake of 'letting' her guilt me to open for her children (I had my Mom come over to watch them for a few mins while I got him on the bus). WORST decision EVER!! From that point forward I started to resent this DCFamily. I knew from this moment on, I needed to have a backbone. Somethings in life are more important that a job, yup, I said it!

When you think back on your life, if you lost a DCFamily because of a day here or there that you need for YOUR family, will it bother you? I am a good provider, always treat the children as if they are family (I hope I'm not the 'mom' putting them on the bus for the first time, but I would...and I'd be just as nervous for their child!) I love the kids, and cry like a baby when they grow out of my daycare. BUT... I will not let another parent guilt me into doing something that my heart tells me not to.

The same DC family that guilted me 2 years ago now has their first child entering Kindergarten this year... I wonder if she'll be able to find time to take her child to the bus. She's a good Mom, and I know she'll do everything in her power to be there get him on the bus... somehow it just adds to the resentment, knowing that she'll find time for her son. O'well. Live & Learn!

[youretooloud]

I would have someone watch the kids during the kindy graduation. I'd take all the kids with me for 1st day of 1st grade.

But, I'd work those days.

[Creek]

My DD starts kindergarten in September and I will be taking the day off her first day.

[WDW]

I open late for the first day of school.. typically I open at 7, I open at 9 those days. Nobody has ever complained. I have normally worked the last day of school as a normal day... our school has a picnic/party day, and I think most kids have more fun just playing with their friends. I save my closed days for a field trip I can go on, or just spending some time in his classroom, sharing lunch etc.