I REALLY hate the school run

Between the 2 of them, that should say.

I never minded the school runs. I think I'll miss it when DS leaves primary this July. We have an older DD who is 16, so etween the w of them, I've been doing the school run for over a decade now.

Made some friends along the way and have been on nights out with school mums too.

I always chatted to everyone from the off, on both drop off and pick up. I think it helps with your children's friendships to some extent too.

I like it the days I am just taking one DC to school, but the days where I have to drop DC1 at school at 8.40 walk up a hill to drop DC2 at nursery at 8.50 and get back home to log in to work at 9am I find mega stressful!

I suffer with anxiety so used to absolutely dread the afternoon pick up. It really ruined the rest of the day leading up to it. Very glad not to have to do it anymore.

Same, it’s not like that at my children’s school. I only do two drop offs and two pick ups a week, so it’s not so relentless. occasional chat, I arrive and leave as/when I please without needing to engineer some reason for a quick getaway because no one is bothered if you do or don’t. Mornings I have to get back for meetings, which is fine. I don’t think other parents are bothered about what I personally do and we are generally friendly towards each other. No fuss at all.

Llijkk - why does it have to be a chore

I know, or cycle on to work, turn the school run into a pleasant part of the day

You go on to a place of work. How many of those being taken by car are under a mile away and then the parent goes back home? If they were to walk, I bet it would be a better time for you.

I really enjoyed/enjoy the school run but the we walk a nice route and I like people

If you don’t enjoy it, then of course yanbu.

I dropped mine off then rushed to work, did it at the end of the day in reverse. I haven’t rtft so I’ll spare you tons of advice but being organised really helped me and made me feel less rushed and stressed. I used to find the five minutes chit chat before the doors opened helped me transition from work mode to mum again which was helpful and I made friends I still like, I’ve known some of them now 15+ years.

I have 3 kids and did 13 years of primary. As they get older, you can meet them further away and if you live close enough she can walk herself in upper KS2.

Totally get the walk of shame though. Couldn’t pick my third up without a knot in my stomach for about three years. I really needed friends alongside me then.

I’ve got 3 children and I’ve never come across this either. I chat to loads of other parents at the school gate but have never discussed things like reading levels, and I’ve never heard any other parents do it either.

I WFH and start at 9 so just enough time to tear-arse home for meetings. Luckily my employer doesnt care about me leaving for afternoon pickup so long as i hit targets. If theres after school stuff on i will take meetings from car on phone or take laptop with me to continue while i watch. I'll work evenings/weekends if i have to catch up. If i had an office based 9 to 5 i dont know how tf i'd do it!

I don't understand OP. She describes social anxiety basically, but then says she's fine in other social situations with the other school parents like at children's parties. Why not just stick your nose in phone & ignore the others also impatiently standing around? Nobody likes the morning rush and monotony or tedium of it or waiting around, but it's just one of those chores you have to do.

Everyone hates teacher coming over to talk to you, it's usually bad news (!) We had a lot of trouble with one DC, teacher spoke to us almost daily for years about his behaviour. He got socially shunned for it, and so did my other children. I think I came to enjoy the people watching, tbh.

People who are saying they do the school run (and I'm talking about drop off and pick up, which OP explicitly referred to) and also work full-time - how, unless you're in two places at once?

Tbf i have never, ever had this. Not even close. Some strange schools out there!

YANBU i am so looking forward to not having my day dominated by these timings!!

It is other parents I can't stand. Trying to brag about their kids and find out what book your kid is reading to make sure little Tristrin isn't falling behind his peers. So boring.

I had just convinced myself that I was being paranoid and the cliquey school mums weren't gossiping about me...and then yesterday the wind carried just the right way that I could actually hear them talking about me.
So yeah, not my favourite.

I moved directly opposite the school gate when my two were in mid-primary. The crossing guard literally walked them to and from home

I didn't really like standing around with everyone but it was easier to get to know other parents for parties and playdates etc. I have worked full time since DC2 was in Year 2 so use breakfast and after school club every day. Now I enjoy it when I do get to do it because it's such a rarity. Also means we get to walk rather than dropping in the car on the way to work.

I loathe picking up because there are some mothers I absolutely cannot stand so I have to arrive and position myself strategically far enough away that I don't have to talk to, or even acknowledge, them.

I did it for thirteen years and hated it. The stress of getting there in time and then waiting on the playground being blanked by other mums and having to listen to them chatting about their class night out which I was never invited to was hellish. So pleased when my youngest started secondary school.

I always enjoyed it and even looked forward to it. I went part time when my DC were in primary, just so that I could be there every day to pick them up, and chat with friends while we waited.

But, on MN, that makes me a total weirdo.

I once said to DH I don't think I want children because I cannot contemplate the HELL that is school drop off and pick up. Where we live you have to put up with 1) horrendous traffic and 2) having no option of public transport or walking. All my work colleagues spend 1-1.5 hrs of their day, every day, in the car, in traffic, to and from school (except the bosses who are rich enough to have nannies/helpers). It's fucking brutal.

Some truly miserable people on this thread