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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wish all children could walk to school so my commute is this nice every day

42 replies

beanfilledfish · 14/02/2017 08:10

It takes me 10 minutes to get into work no school traffic or fumes to sit in or irate school run drivers

OP posts:

PuraVida · 14/02/2017 09:05

I could walk mine to school, but then I'd have to walk home again to get my car and to drive to work and that would make me late(r)

TheSconeOfStone · 14/02/2017 09:06

Glad I've given you a good laugh Happenstance.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/02/2017 09:07

I agree OP.

I love driving in the school holidays. It's fantastic! You can actually predict what time you can actually get somewhere.

myfavouritecolourispurple · 14/02/2017 09:13

I wonder how many of those driving do live under a mile away

A lot as you say. The great thing where I am is the parents who leave home earlier than they would have had to leave if they walked, so they can get a space to park in my road. They could walk in 15 minutes but arrive about 45 minutes before school pick-up.

Mind you, if everyone walked then people would complain about the pavements being clogged up with hordes of kids.

CecilyP · 14/02/2017 09:15

I agree the whole school thing seems messed up in the UK - if all kids went to catchment schools and all who lived more than a mile or a mile and a half away got a free bus pass, then all children walking to school would be realistic.

I'm in Scotland where children do go to catchment schools and can report the same phenomenon here. As no school runs cover the main part of my commute, it is much more likely parents take time off work during school holidays, thus lessening congestion.

SpongebobRoundPants · 14/02/2017 09:24

OP you should have added 'lighthearted'

Hygellig · 14/02/2017 09:24

I know some parents live too far to walk to school, and some are on the way to work so on a tight schedule, but there are many who could walk but don't. It's not just because of people going outside catchment: one of my son's friends is driven to school every day; he lives less than 10 minutes' walk from school and his mum is a SAHM. I think it must actually take her longer to drive by the time she's pulled out onto a busy road, then pulled off it again and then found a parking place. I also used to see a man opposite me who drove to the shop, which was barely a minute's walk away, to buy a newspaper! Reminds me of Bill Bryson saying that his American next door neighbours drove to his house when they were invited to dinner.

Olympiathequeen · 14/02/2017 09:27

I know, it's glorious to have quiet roads at 9 o'clock.

I take the kids to school by car though so I just have to accept the normal morning madness.

CountessOfStrathearn · 14/02/2017 09:28

I'm amazed at the over-reaction to a very benign OP!

I love the traffic in half term. I don't work (SAHM including to school age children who do walk to school) but DH does and it's great for him.

"Mind you, if everyone walked then people would complain about the pavements being clogged up with hordes of kids."

We live just a short walk from school and it is funny how our normally quiet streets suddenly are full of children from 8.45-9.05 & 3.10-3.30, and then, almost mysteriously, the streets are dead again.

Huldra · 14/02/2017 09:42

Ahh that happy relaxed month of August, you get used to a 20 minute drive and then September hits. An hour later and you're still stuck in traffic.

JockTamsonsBairns · 14/02/2017 10:23

The 'whole school thing' isn't messed up in the UK. Children in Scotland generally go to their catchment school.

throughgrittedteeth · 14/02/2017 10:36

I drive to work and have to do the school run and I wish it was this quiet always! I get an extra 10 minutes in bed during the holidays because the traffic is so light. I long for a day that I can get rid of my car and walk everywhere, I'm hoping for only about another 5 years...

Astoria7974 · 14/02/2017 10:55

10mins where I live (national speed limit roads) can be up to 12km on a good day. Def too far to walk.

nokidshere · 14/02/2017 11:06

Gosh a lot of get up people on here this morning

Surely everyone knows that getting to work in school hols is just easier and more pleasant?

ElfingHeck · 14/02/2017 11:18

My DC walk to school.
And I work from home
Can I have my medal please?

SallyInSweden · 14/02/2017 11:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeIIatrixLeStrange · 14/02/2017 12:16

I don't understand these days, unless someone is dropping kids off at school on the way to work, I don't understand why kids wouldn't walk to school. Maybe kids are going to school further away these days, and not the local comp?

My commute takes 45 mins during half term, but over an hour during school time. It gets on my nerves too.

I have often thought that journeys of less than two miles for example (not just for school kids, but those of us who pop to the shops in the car etc) should not be allowed although god knows how this could be regulated lol

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