As a mom who juggles both staying at home and working out of the house, I find myself frustrated on both sides of the parenting spectrum. My freelance gigs are unpredictable, a reflection of the ever-changing landscape of writing and editing. For the first four years of my child’s life, I was primarily at home, enjoying those sweet moments, but it came with its own set of challenges—namely, limited finances and a serious lack of adult interaction. I often caught myself leaning over my baby, chirping, “Do you understand what a dangling modifier is? Does Mama’s little one know how to spot passive voice?” But scheduling was a breeze; I handled all things kid-related while my partner went off to work, and life just flowed.
Now, with my eldest starting kindergarten, and my work picking up, it’s become a chaotic mess. The kindergarten schedule is flat-out ridiculous.
Ending at 2:30? Seriously? This is utterly inconvenient for everyone involved. That’s exactly when my younger child is napping, which means I have to haul a groggy, hefty toddler out the door—believe me, when he’s sleepy, he feels like a sack of potatoes. Picture me channeling Holly Hunter trying to lift John Candy in a fireman’s carry.
I get it—sleeping kids aren’t the school system’s concern. But if they really wanted to cater to parents, the school day would wrap up by noon, allowing for some much-needed downtime for these little ones after lunch.
And let’s talk about working parents. What lawyer, nurse, or janitor can just clock out at 1:30 to dash off and pick up their child? If I want to pursue a job, I have to inform potential employers that my availability is essentially limited to 9:30 to 1:30, which significantly narrows my options.
You might say, “What about after-school programs?” Well, the day ends at 2:30, but pick-up for after-school care is at 5:30. So, there’s this three-hour gap to fill after classes end—after-school activities usually last about an hour. At our school, the rest of the time? They just hang out. It feels like an indoor waiting room.
Speaking of kids, this schedule is also less than ideal for them. Even with a six-hour day, they get only one recess, and if the weather doesn’t cooperate (which is often here in the northeast), they end up watching movies instead of running around. Current studies show that children benefit most from hands-on play, and I worry that my son will be spending way too much time seated at a desk rather than expending energy. Pediatric occupational therapist Mia Reynolds articulates this well; she argues that pushing young children into academics too soon hampers their physical and social growth. Kids under seven need daily sensory experiences to thrive, and that’s best achieved outdoors, where they can engage with the environment.
Now my partner and I have plunged into the world of color-coded calendars, attempting to balance our work schedules with pick-up duties, all while figuring out the availability of our part-time babysitters. I’m also continually evaluating whether my son is getting enough rest and playtime, if a cupcake-decorating class is worth our time and money, and how to carve out time for outdoor play together.
It’s a juggling act that feels overwhelming, and honestly, it seems like no one is truly benefitting from this system. And let’s face it, any structure that leaves you feeling like a loser is just plain nonsense.
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In summary, the kindergarten schedule feels like a poorly thought-out plan that leaves both parents and children scrambling. The need for a more flexible approach is clear, as we strive to balance work, child-rearing, and the essential playtime that kids need.