What Would You Do? - Downers Grove,IL

There is a 10-15 minute pickup window. By the time you pick up the preschooler and head to the elementary, the cars will have thinned out quite a bit, so that you should be able to get into the pickup lane that snakes around the school. They usually have the kindergarteners at a side door all by themselves so that parents can pull up close enough to pick them up without getting out of the car. Call the elementary and ask what system they have in place for picking up Kinder is.

I would defiantly send the preschooler in the morning. Too much stress to deal with the pick up situation. Your younger child may miss his brother, but he will have lots of fun time being the oldest at home and having more mommy time. Plus, he's going to miss his brother on the days he doesn't have preschool anyways, so I wouldn't worry. Do what is most reasonable and doable for you.

I would try to find another parent who is picking up their child at the same time and ask them to walk your kindergartener the block to your car. Someone you see walking that way anyway. I would be happy to help out another parent this way.

I would bring snacks and play music while the baby and toddler are in the car waiting to pick up the kindergartner. If I'm not schlepping in miserable weather I'm not making my son schlep. I'll pick him up. ESP if he would have to navigate the crazy driving of stressed out parents who should know how to drive better in school zones, but don't.

OR

Spend 1 on 1 time with each while the other is in school.

Nope. No way having the child walk 1 block to the car.
And, what will you do when there is bad weather? Still have him walk 1 block?

Now, MANY families have this sort of schedule.
2 or more kids, different schools/grade levels... and they do it.
How?
They tell the school.
They tell the Teacher.
The child then waits in the school office, to be picked up.
No problem.

Now, for the Kindergarten child... isn't it going to be full-days at some point? Not just in the afternoons?

Next: DO NOT WORRY, about the preschooler "missing" his sibling. It is NO big deal! The preschooler will probably be very tired/nap after he comes home after preschool, anyway.
This is NOT a factor, in planning/deciding when to send your kids to school.

LOTS of Moms... are waiting at schools in order to pick up their other kids... WITH their other baby/kids in tow, waiting in the car too. It is fine. I did that too when my son was a baby. It works. You simply drive to the school early to get parking...and wait. With your 2 kids. You bring drinks and snacks. Get out and walk around. It is really no big deal.

I'd pick the preschooler up 10 minutes early and be in line for the kindergarten release on time...I did it for a year with my baby in tow and although not fun, it worked for us. You'll appreciate having them at school at the same time. Well worth it for you! Especially if you can schedule your baby a nap while they are both gone:)

I would send the preschooler in the morning.

For our daughter she is typically a walker and it's only a block, however, my husband is able to walk down and pick her up. Since she is a walker the school does not release the walkers until almost 15 minutes after school let's out. With that said I know you have to pick up via the car, but, in the event of inclement weather and my husband there is still the 15 mins. So if he's late the school or she will not worry.

Check with the school maybe they have a similar type system.

I don't see a problem with your K student walking a block to your car. Better that than have them in school at different times.

Now that I've reviewed everyone elses answers, I can see the benefit of spending the time alone with each child...but I just wouldn't do it that way, I guess.

The good thing about children is they will deal with it.

What a great chance for you to have some alone time with the youngest. He has never been an only child.. here is his chance.. Plus soon your son will be in all day school and be having play dates at other peoples homes.. so this is a good way to ease them into not always being around each other.

Base this on what makes the most sense and without the most hassle.

wouldnt have a child walk to the car no way! Your preschooler will not miss older sib that much for the 2 day they are not together in the morning. It would be nice for you to have the afternoons just for the baby but that is one crazy pickup situation right there. Is it possible to pick up the kindergarten child 1st so you can be right in front of the school then back track for the preschooler? I know little ones are anxious to see mom at the end of the day when everyone else is getting picked up but they can get used to it if they know brother will be in the car too :) Next year older bro will be gone all day so this is a good time to ease them into being seperated as well. Just some more thoughts to put into your head =-)

You might not be able to let the Kinder walk home. I know in my kids' schools the K teacher would only let the youngester out of sight once they saw mom/dad. Even in 1st grade the teachers wanted to spot the mom/caregiver before letting the kids out of sight for the first half of the year. I think the big fear here is that your older one might forget which day it is and walk that block if you happen to run a couple minutes late... you'd be in a panic rushing around to find him.

The younger one will only be in preschool 2 days a week... see if your K-er can wait for you in the school office those days. Another option is to see if the preschool has a lunch 'n play session for an extra hour after "class time". The preschool my kids went to, it was like an extra $7 a day.

Last thought. You said that you'd have the K-er walk a block to where your car was... is the preschool THAT close? if so, you could park your car at the elem school, walk to pick up the preschooler and meet your K-er at the car (providing the teacher lets him go). But i think the best bet is to ask for the assistence of the school office - just let them know that the pick up times are the same time and just need you're little guy to wait there for you if you can't make it back in time before the teacher has to go.

call the school and see how they do dismissal. At our school it has been 3 different ways in 3 different years... but NONE of those years did a kindy kid have the ability to walk on their own. Driving up they made sure it was the right person picking them up, or a big sibling took them from the school.

BUT there is an option you may not have thought about - find an older grade schooler to escort your child or ask to have your older child in the morning kindergarten if that time works better.

I would NOT place my decision on what you are at all. My decision would be placed on if the children still need naps. If the preschooler is ready for 2 days or ready for 3 days.

Explain the situation to the secretaries at the elementary school and see what they suggest. Or ask if your kindergartner can wait in the office for the five or ten minutes it takes you to get there after preschool.