How long does it take to get your children out of a car?

[thatlldopigthatlldo]

It's just that by the time they've put their shoes back on (after having them put on only 5 minutes earlier), then put their coats back on, then wrestled in the back of the car for some unknown reason, then negotiated what toys they are taking to school (the answer is always none), I end up screaming at them like a lunatic in the school car park...GET OUT OF THE CAR! They are then given their respective lunchboxes and bookbags (hopefully) and then manhandled to the pavement.

I am reliably informed by my 8 year old that 'it takes as long as it takes'

[thatlldopigthatlldo]

bump because i posted this and it dropped off active convos in seconds. tis busy tonight.

[Sirzy]

I would start by not letting them take any toys into the car in the first place that way that doesn't become an issue.

If they cause trouble putting their coats on let them carry them into school. If they get cold they will soon put them back on.

[juneybean]

Depends how many I have, I usually bang at least 1/3 heads on the door as I'm getting them out though :/

[nananaps]

Bag is attached to the kid from the house.
No toys/books/anything at all in the car.
Shoes stay on.
Coat is on and done up in the house, not removed.

Kiss.
3 seconds, out of the car
me to work.

It is crystal clear that if they faff, they will make me late, and that, is a big no no.

But then i am a scary mum.

Sympathies, sounds very frustrating for you.

[thatlldopigthatlldo]

I think they play up with me because I don't do the drop off much. I am very exciting you know.

[GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy]

Not as long as it takes to get them into the damn thing in the first place.

[LadyofWinterfell]

Same as Gwendoline !

Also depends if DS (3.3) is being stubborn...

[ISeeThreadPeople]

About 5.6 seconds. DD is 5.

[AcidTurkishBath]

With the teenagers, it depends what mood they're in. Sometimes they are out before the car even stops moving. DS (5) can't wait to jump out of the car so about 5 seconds. DD (3) always kicks off her shoes and unbuttons her coat so it always takes much longer. I don't allow toys in the car, though, as that used to hold us up. Any toys we are taking go in the boot or in the footwell (and then moved before she is unstrapped).

[moonblues]

Getting out isn't too bad, I find getting them in and the seatbelts on is the slow bit. I find myself repeating 'get into the car' 'sit down' and 'get your seatbelt on' about three times each before I give up and start wrestling them in, only to be interrupting by cries 'I can do it myself!'
Glad to hear it gets annoying in a different way as they get older. :)

[cruxible]

For - fucking - ever

[SHoHoHodan]

At least five minutes, sometimes more. Fortunately I don't have to use the car to get them to school- DS1 walks (he's 16) and ds2's school is 200 yards up the road.

But when we go out, for some unknown reason ds1 will remove his shoes, no matter how short the journey. That is, of course, if he actually has them on when he gets in the car. He also 'has' to organise his earphones/jacket/wallet and moan a bit.

Ds2 will climb over to the front of the car to get out- if he isn't allowed to do this, tears and sulking will ensue. En route he will examine the rearview mirror/interior light/radio buttons.

Meanwhile I am outside the car saying 'Get out of the car. Get out of the car. Get out of the (mutter bloody ) car. Why are you doing that? Get out! Right! Get out now or I'm LOCKING YOU IN AND I'LL GO FOR LUNCH BY MYSELF!!!'

I remember taking ds1 to Cornwall (before ds2 arrived) and by the time we'd reached the first service station stop he'd removed nearly all his clothes and was swathed in a duvet. It took ten full minutes for him to get dressed again...

[thatlldopigthatlldo]

love it, thank you.
i'm quite clearly an incompetent parent, but it seems i'm in good company.