after school activities

i am a working single parent who has a child that would like to
participate in after school activities. the problem is i get off work
too late for her to participate, and the school does not sponsor
activity buses to transport the kids. also i just moved to town, so i
have not made any friends nor do i know anyone here. please help

In article ,
(deteemp) wrote:

i am a working single parent who has a child that would like to
participate in after school activities. the problem is i get off work
too late for her to participate, and the school does not sponsor
activity buses to transport the kids. also i just moved to town, so i
have not made any friends nor do i know anyone here. please help

How? You don't say how old she is, or how far school is, or how much
time there is between the time she would be done with her activities and
you would be able to pick her up. Without further information, it's
hard to tell which of the following might be practical for you:

If your child is old enough to ride a public bus, have her take the bus
home after her activities.

If you live close enough, have her ride her bike or walk to and from
school.

If there is a library or other public place near the school open after
school hours until you get off work, have her wait there for you.

Have her sit on the front lawn of the school and do her homework while
she waits for you.

Give her enough money for a cup of coffee or a soda and have her wait at
a local coffee shop.

If there is an after school daycare center near the school, have her
walk there and pay for her care after that.

If it is a specific activity -- like a team -- have her ask the kids who
already participate if anyone lives near you, get their phone number,
and call them and ask for help; offer to pay them to compensate for the
gas.

Ask the teacher who supervises the activity that she wishes to join for
suggestions and advice.

Pay for her to take a taxi home after the after school stuff. Some
larger communities even have "kiddie cabs", vans that you hire for
regular rides for your child.

Ask someone in administration at the school what other parents in your
position do to allow their kids to participate in after school
activities.

See if there is a local YMCA or other club that offers transportation
and care in the late afternoon.

See if your boss will let you take a half hour break to pick her up and
drive her home if you are willing to come in early or work late to make
up the time.

If she's much older, tell her SHE has to arrange transportation if she
wants to take part in after school activities.

Good luck; I DO know how frustrating it is to try to manage
transportation AND a job AND a house; sometimes, you can't find a
solution -- but most of the time, perseverance and a willingness to ask
for help can get what you need.

meh
--
Children won't care how much you know until they know how much you care

"deteemp" wrote in message
om...
i am a working single parent who has a child that would like to
participate in after school activities. the problem is i get off work
too late for her to participate, and the school does not sponsor
activity buses to transport the kids. also i just moved to town, so i
have not made any friends nor do i know anyone here. please help

You might want to contact the sponsor. I've often had to get creative at
finding transportation for my choir students.

What does she do after school normally?

"deteemp" wrote
i am a working single parent who has a child that would like to
participate in after school activities. the problem is i get off work
too late for her to participate, and the school does not sponsor
activity buses to transport the kids. also i just moved to town, so i
have not made any friends nor do i know anyone here. please help

I help some single parents with transportation. You need to initiate. Call
the teacher/coach. Frame the problem as you a my child wants to
participate and I don't know how to help her/him do that. Offer what help
you can: I can't transport her there on week-days, but I could take the
kids to the week-end meets (or whatever extras you could do.) Then ask for
suggestions on how to get child to/from activity. The teacher/coach may not
have ideas immediately--give them your name and number, and ask them to call
if they think of something, or authorize them to give your number to another
parent who might be able to help. If another parent offers to help with
transportation, find out how you can help in return. Offer to take kids to
week-end events, send snacks with your child where appropriate, etc. At a
minimum, make sure they know you (and your child,) appreciate their help...
and that you are not just using them as a free service, or baby-sitting.
People are often willing to help, but don't like to feel used. If you ask
for help, you will likely get it. Good luck.