Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Child loves school ... dislikes afterschool

I would do everything possible to make after school care no more than 2 days a week. Obviously this may not be possible but be as creative as you can and try and get your employer on side. My kids get picked up by a neighbour once a week at the moment - could you pay one of his class mates parents to care for him or to take him to an activity all the kids do? When I have to use after school care and during holidays I use a sports based centre that employs education students who have the energy to play soccer and slide down hills on cardboard. That way they get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Asked DS4 how many days a week he would be willing to do aftercare and he said "2" ... so I think you are onto something

I do see value in doing aftercare if the weather is outside friendly and he can run around for an hour or so with other kids. This helps with ... everything. If he is cooped up inside I can just bring him home with me and work from home I guess.

There is some aftercare at the gifted school and he actually likes that a lot. Also explaining that we will keep doing less and less of his preschool as he gets older also helped (maybe he was worried we would try to send him back to the baby school full time).

He is only there 3 days/week now max. As the new routing coalesces I think thing will get easier. Muddling through may be the best we can manage here.