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Primary education

School run

10 replies

1angeleye · 13/09/2019 10:28

First time posting but hoping for some ideas about how to manage the school run.

Eldest daughter has just started in our local school, which is a 1.1 mile walk. We tried walking her first couple of days but she struggled with the distance.

My other daughter is in nursery which is not really in the same direction but nearer (we were walking to nursery previously with both of them which was about a 20 minute walk) .

My husband has been walking the youngest to nursery while I drive half the way to school and then walk the rest of the way to avoid the village traffic but this isn't really doable long term as dh is supposed to start work at 8am but isn't starting until about 8.45.

My ideas are putting them both in the pushchair and dropping youngest at nursery first, but it's heavy pushing both and it's an hours journey there and back and then I need to come home and walk the dog.

Or drive to nursery leave the car there and walk from there.

Or get a scooter for eldest although she's not ever been very into using one.

Any other ideas, am I making this more complicated than it needs to be?

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HennyPennyHorror · 13/09/2019 10:34

Needs must when the devil drives...I'd get the older one on her scooter and make her rise to the challenge. It's not easy...they do struggle at first.

You can't always find a solution for your DC where they don't struggle...I had no option but to walk/scoot as I can't drive and DH was at work by 7.00am so mine moaned and dragged their feet/wheels for about 6 months till finally adjusting.

Eventually they were old enough to ride bikes...the youngest on a tagalong attached to mine and the elder on her own bike.

They've just got to get on with it really/

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itsaboojum · 13/09/2019 11:02

Absolutely agree with HennyPennyHorror.

For anyone else reading this, the message is pretty clear. Don’t leave it until the first day of school: get them used to walking. Planning is what you do before the event.

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HennyPennyHorror · 13/09/2019 11:13

And I'd like to add...those morning walks are some of our most precious memories now...mine are 15 and 11 so no more scooting to school, looking at the flowers in the hedges for us. We used to have a lovely time. Winter's not easy...but you put them in wellies, macs...some days we had to wear the whole shebang...rain suits etc.

Then they get the suits and wellies off at school.

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Zinnia · 13/09/2019 11:44

100% scooter. DDs are 11 and 8, now but when we had a similar problem on the evening pickup for 3 years the scooter was the only way. She'll get used to it more quickly than you might imagine, and obviously the older she gets the easier it will be. Good luck!

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RedskyLastNight · 13/09/2019 12:07

Agree with others. Your oldest needs to get used to walking/scooting/cycling. If you do it every day, it will become second nature pretty quickly.
And can you take the dog with you on the school run and give him a "proper walk" combined with the walk home?

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1angeleye · 13/09/2019 12:31

Well as we walked to nursery every day and I didn't think school was that much further I thought we had planned and was just asking for advice so not entirely sure why the need to be patronising but thank you for the advice.

RedskyLastNight, I can't take the dog into the playground and can't really leave her tied up outside so until dd is old enough to take herself into school she can't really come on the school run.

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BringMoreCoffee · 13/09/2019 17:50

Yes, mini micro scooter and maybe get her a bike for Christmas. Take the pedals off, seat down and let her balance bike with it to start with. It is nice to have options - scooting gives a break from walking and vice versa.

School, then nursery, then home sounds the most doable if you are walking.

The start of reception can be tough but she will get used to it. For now, leave plenty of time, bring a snack and a drink to pick up and yes get a scooter.

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LeFaye · 19/09/2019 08:21

What a shame you can't take the dog on the school run! Is there not any staff by the playground? Or any other entrance to the school?

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Atlasta · 19/09/2019 08:25

Tbh I'd use the car. Drive to nursery and school.

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MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 19/09/2019 08:28

I would prioritise getting the eldest to school. How about a buggy board for when she gets tired on the back of the stroller?

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