How would you get your child to school in this situation?

[ArtfulBear]

I am desperate to move out of the home I currently share with my soon to be ex. I've been looking at rentals and failing every application for months. I've been turned down for four this week alone.

A house has come up 2.5 miles from my reception aged son's school that is cheap enough to potentially buy with help from a very generous family member. He couldn't walk it yet, but could in a couple of years. There's no bus. I can't drive. He could scoot or bike but we'd walk along a busy main road so I think it would be dangerous.

Is there any way to make this situation work which I just can't see?

is there no other route you could walk?
how about one of the bikes/trikes that you push
how busy is the road, like speed limit? could you get a bike and cycle with him?

How will it be doable for shopping, entertainment, walking down that road to school on dark winters mornings/nights? I think you need to learn to drive. Could you do an intensive course and a few extra lessons and get a car?

Do you have a dial-a-ride or similar scheme in your area? We have fflecsibws in Wales (https://tfw.wales/fflecsi_) I've never used it but heard good things and it is subsidised. If not, can you buy a bike and both ride together? It doesn't have to be a long term solution, but could buy you time if you want to learn to drive. And I highly recommend that you do because although there are costs associated it does give you so much more freedom. Good luck!

Yes, we have Flexi bus in my village, same principle

Is he 4?
Unless he's big for his age I would temporarily use a pushchair and at the same time apply to a nearer school.

Could your son primarily live with his dad while you get transport sorted?

PS. Factor the cost of a second-hand car, lessons, insurance and tax into your mortgage application, so you know that everything is paid for during the first year at least.

It's a great idea isn't it.

Thank you all for the suggestions! The Mumsnet hive mind is much appreciated.

Learning to drive would be ideal, but I am very dyspraxic and have failed more tests than I can count over the past twenty years sadly! I genuinely stopped counting at 10 so don't think I can bank on it. I probably shouldn't be trusted to take him on a bike either.

He's really large for his age, we had to stop using the pram early as he was over the weight limit and the wheels were buckling.

Annoyingly it is really close to a supermarket (5 minutes walk) and the city centre (20 minutes walk) there's just a railway and river to cross to get to school that makes it a complete pig to get to from that end of town.

Can you change his school given he's only in reception?

If I'm honest I wouldn't want to do this, but he wouldn't be able to do school runs even with wraparound care at his current job anyway.

I would pushchair it for a year and then reframe this as getting all your exercise done for the day on the journey to and from school. Great, no extra curricular costs. It's going to take a good hour if you walk but actually that could be lovely 121 time for you both.

No closer school?
Have you tried learning in an automatic car?

I know of three families in my area who made the choice to walk everywhere for no reason other than it's good for everyone in the family. They walk to school, 1 mile, in to town, 2 miles, to the pool, 2 miles and always have done. All kids are teens now, all in the grammar school (no idea how related it is), and all still involved in their sports. Good for them really.

Is there a school that is closer?

No, but I will definitely give an automatic a go!

I think changing his school might have to be plan b. He's just in such a lovely school and it would be nice to not disrupt everything for him! I guess beggars can't be choosers though, I can't magic better than us available.

I’d look to change schools as only in reception

Would you feel more confident taking him on a cargo bike until he’s able to cycle on his own?

I'd try to change schools. My dc changed schools when he was in reception because we moved house. It was fine.

Really good suggestion about the automatic car - I would recommend giving this a go. Sorry to hear about the failed tests, but the next time could be the charm!

This!

I used to two my two around in a bike trailer. I can't really ride a bike well at all but adding the trailer essentially made it a trike!

I've got autism and mild dyspraxia, tried for a year in a manual in numerous tests, switched to automatic and hey presto I passed first time. You could do an intensive automatic driving course and then get a decent second hand auto car.