My youngest brother has 3 littles that are 9, 8 and almost 5. The 3 of them all go to the same school and ride the school bus. My brother and SIL leave early for work so my 83 year old mom (lives 1 mile from them) comes over in the morning to feed the kids breakfast and get them on the bus. Lunches are packed by my brother or SIL before they go to work. Fortunately the bus stop is less than a block from the house. My SIL is home from work to meet them at the bus at the end of each day. My mom loves that she is doing something to help them out.
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My son texted me last night if I could help today. I really hope their nanny is back soon. My kid who lives far away loves to remind us how lucky her siblings have it having us close by. I love helping but I don’t want it to be a full time job. I have things I enjoy doing and don’t want to give them up.
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I went to pick up the laundry for DS/DIL/GS1 and I got a chance to snuggle GS1. He is just the cuddliest cuddle-bug. Mostly he was sitting on my lap, and giggling when I hugged him and did peek-a-boo and clapping. He’s eight months old and just learned how to crawl around. I fed him some plum the other day and I was wearing a white sweater. DS was anxious about that. I was like, hey, I’m the laundress. It’s fine.
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Yes, one has to be very organized and methodical on a school day morning routine. I have been the fill-in on DD1’s morning routine - and the kids are all use to me. If I have not unloaded the dishwasher earlier, I do it and make the two lunches. I set out the breakfast (various items which DD1 indicates, which includes protein). This week SIL has been driving the kids, but I have gotten them all ready and loaded in. This morning SIL was looking for his wallet for about 10 minutes (and found it wedged in the sofa), but I could have driven them as I was ready.
The first miles of driving are the bottlenecks with traffic - and SIL and DD1 do know a way that is not on Google Maps if they leave ‘late’ - not late for school but not desiring to sit in traffic for a long period. At second traffic light, one can wait for maybe 15 minutes alone backed up. Then the second road just as bad (and that is an alternate from the main road which with ‘regular traffic’ and not morning period traffic is the quick way to go).
On return home, if in heavy traffic (due to errands run after school pick up or pick up with use of after school care), DD1 goes the back way home.
There are roads being built that will cut down on time - a much more direct main road.
The rent house is in a fast-developing area of town with affordable homes, and it meets their needs. A purchased home for them will be with intention to be close to their kids’ school (it goes through HS). They will always have the work commute, but it is with quicker time to get to locations with the interstate or city loop system - and newer TX sky ways (scary high).
The 3 years DD2 was in city school education (7-8-9) I had her on the school bus often both ways. DH often would drive her to school when he was home (he had a lot of work travel), and later she would go to school early (she was a band officer in 8th and 9th grade and would go early to the band room). We had in-neighborhood groupings that were at end of the street, or on a long street halfway. Some parents walked their younger kids and hung out until the bus came. The bus stop on our street was a house away from our home - and one can hear the school bus coming on our quiet street. Elementary bus first, later middle school bus, and last the HS bus.
So glad you are willing to be the ‘safety net’ when you are available.
I know my young-ish Radiation Oncologist (who had 4 children) was glad her mom was in town nearby.
Absence of a nanny is a real strain w/o burning parent’s leave time with demanding and often inflexible work situations.
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Congratulations, SOS, to you and your family! Enjoy the extra snuggles.
GS and GD attended preschool but never went to daycare. I was their caregiver (blessed to retire early!) whenever D and SIL were both at work. D is fortunate to work about twenty hours a week on average, with some of that being nights and weekends, so I was usually with the kids two or three days a week. It was a wonderful seven years.
Now that they are in school all day, I meet them as they get off the school bus once or twice a week and we play until D / SIL get home. NOW the challenge is making sure GS and GD get to all of their activities and sports, and with the correct clothing and equipment! I have only failed once…
When I am in charge at bedtime, which is only about once a month, we go through the regular bedtime routine and both kids go to sleep in the same bed, with me in the middle. It’s a special treat for them… and for me! 
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My mom had four kids in four years. She was very fortunate to have my live-in aunt helping her. Four years later, she had another child, and my live-in uncle helped her. Having family to help out is such a blessing. Kudos to @SOSConcern and the rest of you who are going the extra mile to help your kids get through the early years. It will pay off in a lifetime bond with your grandkids!
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I would love to be able to help with my GS, but he lives 1400 miles away! 
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4 year old GD spent the night. We were doing crafts before 8 am … playing tag outside in 30 degree weather before 9. We did more this morning than I sometimes do in a few days! And of course I loved it!
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My parents played pretty big roles raising my daughters. They slept over at my parents place often and they were always around to take them to ballets. My daughters are now adults. Recently my mom fell and fractured her arm. My Ds came by to help out my mom by doing some housework and they also cooked and ordered food for my mom without my prompting. It does pay off.
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How is your daughter doing, and the rest of the family?
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Any other grandparents of 6-11-month-olds thinking of suggesting an early MMR due to the TX outbreak?
@ SOSConcern
D is recovered and has been back at work since last Tuesday–which was exactly 1 week from the day she was admitted to the ICU. She was on call Sunday and Monday (3 days post ICU discharge), but fortunately wasn’t called in to work.
No rest for working docs.
Grandkids are all back in school. (At least for this week. GS’s preschool has spring break next week.)
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Wow—your D is resilient @WayOutWestMom ! I hope she takes it a little easy as our bodies sometimes don’t fully bounce back right away.
Her medical director has actually increased her work hours.
This is because her nocturnist colleague will be going on maternity leave starting May 1 and administration is too cheap to hire a replacement for her. Instead they just increased everybody’s hours
D is NOT happy.
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My D’s BIL is a hospital- based specialist who works constantly. He is single and lives with his parents, so he enjoys helping out his fellow doctors to allow them to enjoy their families on holidays, for school events, etc. I would bet he is beloved by his coworkers.
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My DD is moving out of the country at the end of the month. Grandson will get it early. He’ll be somewhere between 10.5 and 11 months when he gets it.
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I’d get the MMR early for a child with siblings or who is in daycare. Too many germs being passed from kids. I’d also worry about chickenpox for a baby who is around older people a lot because of shingles.
Or any baby who lives in Texas.
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The outbreak area is not widespread TX.
As with many things, one does take care with exposure of young ones.
Our DD1 had chicken pox about a month before she could have been vaccinated.
Fortunately GD3 who is a little over one week old, will be home with mom until Sept 1. After her maternity leave, she has a work accommodation to work 20 hours/week from home. She has hired a PT nanny, and her DH has some weeks of paternity leave. This will keep the young one healthy. The 22 month old and the 3 1/2 year old continue at daycare - where GD3 will come Sept 1. GS2 will be 4 and go to regular school, 4K, full day, along with GD1 and GS1 - who will be in 2nd grade and first grades.
A busy time. We are seeing once SIL gets into permanent job after Army time ends. We probably will prepare our home for sale to move to their city. It will be a change for us, but beneficial for all.