Comments on: Why must my Seattle commute hurt my heart?

By: WM

WM — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:55:01 +0000

I recently started a new schedule. I now get up at 5 (or so) and am out of the house by 6:20 to catch a 6:38 bus. It’s ridiculously early but it allows me more evening time with my kiddos. I’ve taken to calling my commute my “me time”. It’s the only time I get to read anymore. In the evenings I take the Sounder. It’s a 20 minute ride and I love that it gives me more time at home and I don’t feel so rushed to do everything.
I wish you the best with your new arrangement !

By: Kathy Slattengren

Kathy Slattengren — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:32:52 +0000

You raise some great points about how difficult it can be to carve out special time to spend with our children. Your bus commute with your son sounded ideal!

I adjusted my work schedule over the years so I could be home early enough to drive my daughter to her gymnastics practices. Since the drive is right after school, it’s the perfect time to catch up with each other. She recently turned 16 and soon will be able to drive herself. I know I’m going to miss our commuting time together!

By: Marsha

Marsha — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:35:44 +0000

When my daughter was in daycare I dropped her off and picked her up everyday, except the occasion evening I had a meeting for work. Now she is in Preschool, and in order to not have to pay for the before or after school playschool my husband now drops her off and picks her up everyday. I really miss that commute. It was very short, maybe 10 minute drive, but that time with her was awesome. Her day was fresh in her mind, now when I get home it is 2 hours old and she wants dinner, not a quiz about her day! I did the same as you when I was driving, I often had the radio off and we talked about the sites on the way, and the cars, and the mountains, and the clouds. Often we had the same conversations on the way home, and we talked about her day. Okay, I rambled in my comment, but I just wanted to say I totally know how you are feeling!

By: In which the case is cracked | hola, isabel

In which the case is cracked | hola, isabel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:25:05 +0000

[...] yeah, I don�t know what they�re serving at the new school. I�ve been quizzing Babboo about it on the car ride home everyday. �What did you have for lunch today?� �Not bananas. Or broccoli.� When I question him a [...]

By: In which I become the loser old lady to the teenagers at church | hola, isabel

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:36:49 +0000

[...] out my latest post over at SeattleMomBlogs where I discuss my commute hurting my heart. Addictions · Churchy [...]

By: DaddyD

DaddyD — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:31:10 +0000

In February, my office moved from Fremont to Downtown and my commute went from a predictable 15min to an unpreditable 25-45min. It added a new level of stress and took away from time with the kids. I was fined by daycare a few times for being late until I decided to leave earlier and work fewer hours in the office. In some ways it has made my job less rewarding but in another way, it solidified my priorities.

I hear you on your situation. I would encourage you to start a new routine where you take the first 5-15 minutes home to catch up on Babboo’s day without distractions.

By: Stacy (mama-om)

Stacy (mama-om) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:52:36 +0000

Hi — I just wanted to say that this post really touched me. I hope you and your son find a new rhythm soon!

Blessings,
Stacy

By: agibean

agibean — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:31:05 +0000

Although our daughter was always in daycares close to home, at one point I had a long commute as well. I ended up changing jobs and taking a cut in pay in order to be able to see more of my child. That’s where I’m still coming from.

She’s in 4th grade now, and since kindergarten I’ve been able to drop her off and pick her up from school. She takes the bus this year, but I’m able to wait with her and for her, but most importantly, pick her up mid-day if she falls ill, as she did last week.

It’s not something I envisioned myself doing, but I couldn’t take the 10 hours a day away from her-not because I missed her so much, but because I wasn’t THERE.

In another year or so she’ll hardly need me at all compared to those kindy days when I changed my life and maybe I’ll make another change in the work situation. I’m glad I was able to do what I do-if my husband didn’t have a great job, I certainly couldn’t.

So that’s my story. I hope your new schedule eventually feels comfortable for you.