How should I do the school run? WITH DIAGRAM

[TrippinEdBalls]

I'm probably over-thinking it, but this has been worrying me and I thought the MN hivemind could help me - and I know people love a diagram around here! DS1 will start school, having just turned 4, in September. His 1 year old little brother (DS2) will still be at nursery, and I'm struggling to work out how best to get them both there and me to work on the days of the week that I need to do that. The diagram shows the locations. My work is a 15 minute cycle from either school or nursery. I was thinking of getting a bike seat for DS2, and then walking DS1 to school while pushing the bike with DS2 in the seat, then cycling DS2 to nursery and then me to work - does this seem like a reasonable plan? Or would you do it the other way round, have DS1 do the 'full' journey - to nursery and then onwards to his school, so that he gets the later start (he'll have to go to breakfast club either way, but he could go for less time that way)? Any other ideas beyond the bike for me to speed it up? DS1 can't scoot or balance bike to school because the hill is so steep that that's slower than walking.

I really don't want to have to drive everyday because parking is a hassle at every stage of the journey, particularly at nursery (see diagram), and because it feels so wasteful for such short journeys - but I do need to get to work on time! I have to get everyone everywhere, including me, by 8.30am - the evening isn't a worry because DH is around to pick-up at least one of them, but he leaves at 7am so can't help in the mornings. Any tips or thoughts on how you'd do this very welcome!

Omg I love the diagram

I see your dilemma. What about a scooter! Are the pavements good?! Are there lots of driveways?

I would do nursery run first, pushing bike and walking with 4yo. Then 4yo on back of bike and cycle to school then on to work.

Tag along bike attachment for DS1, bike seat for DS2. You all cycle to nursery, drop ds2 off, then you cycle ds1 to school. Take his tagalong off and secure at school, you cycle to work.

Both kids in a bike trailer (front or back trailer)? One in bike seat and one in trailer with backpacks etc? Parents near us do the latter though they have got an electric bike to make it easier.

Excellent diagram work.

surely it would be quickest overall if you take DS1 to school then go to nursery? Otherwise you have to do 40 mins at child pace rather than 20.

I am so sorry I was so busy being impressed by the diagram that I didn't actually read the post 👀😂
Ds can't scoot .
Let me look again

You need an electric cargo bike OP! Not cheap though...

Yes
This

I'd have DS1 do a longer journey than DS2. Good luck.

There are loads of bike combos for 2 children. On the school run I see all sorts- the scoop type, scandi tricycles, fancy electric ones with 2 rear kiddy seats, a bike seat plus an extra wheel bike attachment hooked up! I’d look into getting one.

But based on what you have at the mo, I’d walk to nursery with DC2 in the bike seat, being pushed, whilst DC1 walks. Then put DC1 in the bike seat and cycle him right school and onto work. My reception age DD is pretty average sized and has only just got the max weight for the Thule bike seat we have.

If you leave the fox at home, then go to school with the chicken and the sack of grain...

I used to push my bike with DD in the rear child seat, and DS sat on my saddle, holding onto my arm. Much quicker that way and quite safe on the pavement

One of these!

This one. Do the quicker walking journey first to buy yourself more time overall.

Firstly, thank you for the compliments on my diagram. I was quite proud of it.

Secondly, and arguably more importantly, thank you for the suggestions - this is really helpful. Maybe I should think about getting a trailer that seats them both, or a tagalong for DS1. They are both quite heavy (I make hugely tall children, it seems - to be fair, I am tall and DH is giant so it was to be expected) so I think I'd really need to get a lot fitter to get up that hill with all that weight behind me, but perhaps that could be a summer project for me! I'd love an electric bike but alas, I don't think the budget will stretch...

This is exactly how I feel when I think about it!

I also wanted to congratulate you for a most excellent diagram. The annotation is most helpful in understanding the situation.
I agree with the bike trailer thingy.

Excellent diagram OP!!

Walking up the big hill with the both of them strikes me as a pain. I'd do nursery first then both on the bike to school if that would work? The hill is going to make you super fit!

I would push/walk to school first, as child will be less tired having not walked as far and therefore be quicker. Then on bike, downhill to nursery.

Is work at nursery end or school end?

Simple - their father has to take responsibility for getting one of them to school / nursery term time. He needs to start work later in order to do so.
Imagine doing that trip by yourself in the pouring rain?

Short of buying more equipment, trailer etc, surely the easiest thing to do is to get rid of the walker first? So your first option: ds1 walks to school and then you zip on your bike to nursery. What's the benefit of doubling the length of ds1's walk at this stage?

Even if you walked and pushed the bike up the hill, it would still be faster than walking at your 4 year old's pace!

Oh! Would DS1 have to walk the whole way? I assumed he'd get on the bike after nursery drop off. If that isn't possible, agree with drop the walker first!

A tandem for the the children, a trailer for you. Soon they'll be both giant and strong!