Rundown of the first few weeks home

rainfallki

Hi ladies!  Here's the situation I will be dealing with... any advice, or just a rundown of what your initial weeks looked like, would be very much appreciated!  

Our 5 year old will start Kindergarten anywhere from 2 to 9 days before I am induced (induction date not set - mo/di twins, so MFM is cutting me off at 37 weeks, max).  My hubby is still unsure he will be able to get any time off, so I'm counting on not having him to help with Kindy drop off/pick up.  We also have a 21 month old.  So.... I'm trying to envision my mornings and afternoons.  We live too close to the school for the 5yo to get a bus.  Which means we need to do a car drop off.... how difficult/unsavory is it to pack up the 21m old and the newborn twins for a 5 minute car ride, drop off/pick up (no idea how long that takes?), and 5 minute ride home?  I'm debating finding some before/after school help (either someone to stay with the other kids while I take the 5yo, or someone to take/get the 5yo), or just giving it a shot myself and if it's too hard then looking for help.  How much in advance would you try to figure this out?  I tend to be a planner, so just playing things by ear isn't my strong suit, but if it's what's best, then I'll do it.  

Side note:  My ILs live 4 miles down the road, but I'm not fond of the idea of seeing them 2x/day.... 2x/week is about my limit, and that's pushing it.  

Thank you!
Tracy 

tmk0325

Oh goodness, I don't think I'd want to be packing up all the kids for a 5 minute drop off morning and night. Is it possible to have your in laws do the night shift and you just go the morning or vice versa? I also don't have any other children, so I have nothing to compare it too but it sounds like a lot of going out with two newborns and a toddler... We also live in the north where it gets really crappy fast so that would be an issue for me too. 

2.red.heads

Hi!  I read your post a few days ago on my phone while nursing in the middle of the night and finally sat down to respond.   

I'll just get right to it:  It's going to suck .......to drop off and pick up your daughter twice a day with 2 newborns and a toddler.  Is it possible?  Sure - you can totally do it, but you might dread it 10 times a week.   

On the plus side:  the ride is short so if it's feeding time they won't have to wait very long to get back home to eat.  Also, newborns can sleep just about anywhere and sleep a lot (if you have to pick up a sleeping baby and put them in their car seat).

I have a 2nd grader and a 5 year old that will also start Kindergarten this fall and 6 week old twins.  Fortunately my husband has always taken our oldest to school so I've been lucky.  (our neighborhood school has no buses)  I remember when he was first in school and my daughter was still taking naps it was a major bummer when she was still napping and I would have to pluck her out of her crib to pick him up.  Physically strapping in babies and putting their car seats in the car takes some time.  I personally am just getting up some days around 9am (if I want to get enough sleep I go back to sleep after the early morning feeding).  Of course right now school is out for the summer.  

My in-laws are really nice and I still would prefer not to see them everyday either.  But if it was me I would take them up on asking them to help.  If they picked up your 5 year old in the morning for school drop off you really wouldn't have to see them very long.  They would just get him/her and be on their way. 

Once school starts you might be surprised how easy it is to meet other parents.  Even with newborn twins, after a few weeks try go to any school functions you can.  I'm sure there are some other parents that would be happy to drop your child off a few days a week.  Maybe you even have a neighbor you know or have been meaning to get to know?  People are happy to help.  Your child starting school is an exciting time of getting to know a whole new community. 

GL!