Schedules

The schedule we keep requires a great deal of coordination.

Two years ago, during my maternity leave with Aaron, Molly Anderson graciously agreed to my offer of a kid swap, which facilitated my return to work. Without her, it wouldn't have been as easy to continue my career...especially in light of all the Friday daycare challenges that presented themselves the following year.

Our arrangement was aggressive. I would watch Henry and James, ages not quite two and 4 months, respectively, on Wednesdays and she would return the favor on Thursdays. Since Collin and Henry and James and Aaron are essentially the same age, this is like taking care of two sets of twins. Molly worked on Wednesdays and Fridays and I worked Thursdays and Fridays.

Our Friday daycare arrangement has been nothing but challenging. Katie Wages, from TLC-ELC nannied for us until bed rest with her second son necessitated our need to contract with Jess Wood, who came recommended by Ange Gallant. A series of unfortunate events in their family led to approximately 50% dependability. We were so frustrated...

We mutually parted ways, and I began an aggressive search for part-time one day a week care for Collin and Aaron. After hundreds of phone calls, dozens of interviews, and many prayers, Lori Zywicki entered our lives. She is the definition of reliable, and the kids have a great time at her house; although, they still resist going every Friday!

When preschool started this Fall, we needed to re-evaluate and the schedule was modified. Adam continued to take the boys to the Andersons on Thursday mornings...but now Molly was charged with dropping Collin and Henry off at St. Stephen's Preschool at 9:00am, with James and Aaron in tow...and returning at 11:30am with the toddlers to pick up the boys and bring them back to her house for lunch, naps and play time.

A third baby for each of us has forced us to revisit this arrangement once again. After much deliberation, we have decided to try to make this work, at least another year. I'm going to try to adjust my work schedule to Tuesdays and Thursdays. During Molly's maternity leave, which will begin the week of May 25, our boys will go to Lori's two days/week. In the Fall, Collin and Henry will advance to a 3 day (M-W-F) preschool schedule at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church. On Wednesdays, Adam is going to bring Collin over to the Andersons by 8:30am. Matt will then bring his three kids and Collin to preschool, drop Collin and Henry off, and continue on to my house with James and yet to be named baby Anderson, due May 22. Adam will then leave work at 11:15am to pick up Collin and Henry and bring them back to our house during his lunch hour. Matt's pick-up time will be adjusted to 5:30pm to allow him more hours at work. Collin, Aaron and Nolan will go to Lori's on either Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Sound complicated. It is...very complicated. But, it saves us thousands of dollars a year...and our boys have the opportunity to grow together.

There will be challenges, but there will also be blessings...hopefully the blessings outweigh the challenging moments...and someday we all look back on this with fondness and a sense of awe at what we were able to accomplish with the help of each other.