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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can't cope with the school run anymore!!

344 replies

PapayaCoconut · 07/11/2019 01:03

I don't drive. (Have a tiny breastfeeding baby, so won't be able to learn until she's older.) DH works looong hours. DD (5) just started school 20-25 minutes walk away.

I just can't do it anymore! DD is so tired some days I have to drag her scooter with one arm and push her sister's pram with the other. In the rain if I'm unlucky.

I'm seriously thinking about hiring a taxi to take us every day... 😖 AIBU?

OP posts:
supermommyof4 · 07/11/2019 01:46

@SandAndSea good idea.
@PapayaCoconut theres a great app on google play for the theory and hazard parts plus help with learning highway codes and signs. You can get a free one but the full one is better I paid 4.99 and it was well worth it..passed the theory first time.
You will get passed this difficult phase trust me x

Littleraindrop15 · 07/11/2019 01:47

I passed my driving test at 4months post partum within 2weeks. I did a crash course and drive everywhere now and cant believe I waited 28 years .

Trust me op it can be done!!!

Sobeyondthehills · 07/11/2019 01:52

I walk DS 40 minutes a day one way trip and we are really starting to struggle with it. (I suffer from anxiety which is not helping)

Driving lessons are fine as long as you can afford the upkeep of the car
Bus is great as long as you can afford the £9 a day (in my area)
Taxi is great if you look out the window and decide today is going to be the day and they get to you on time

Bus and taxi are great for a stop gap but not great for a long term solution if you can afford an extra car than I would learn sooner rather than later

Houseworkavoider · 07/11/2019 01:53

Three lessons is nothing. You need to do a few more to get to grips with it.
If I could do it, you’ll be fine!

Enoughnow12 · 07/11/2019 01:57

You could do an intensive driving course?

StealthPussy · 07/11/2019 02:03

Do a semi-intensive driving course with an auto instructor.

sammi0805 · 07/11/2019 02:03

You could look at learning automatic rather than manual? Might be easier to pick up with out the gears.

StoppinBy · 07/11/2019 02:41

Those boards for prams are really hard on your back if you are short as they stop you being able to reach the handles without leaning in an awkward position. Personally I would put her in the pram for part of the way (encourage her to walk part of it so that she gets used to it) and use a stretchy wrap for baby for the time being. She will quickly get used to it but prep is so exhausting to start with. My 6 year old scoots while I push my 2 year old in a pram to school many days, we live about 20 minutes walk away. To start with she had a sore leg but has gotten used to it now.

Original poster
PapayaCoconut · 07/11/2019 02:45

No buses where you live?

We could theoretically go a couple of stops on a bus, but if you include waiting time, it doesn't make the journey any quicker and there's the risk of being late, especially on a rainy day when nobody wants to walk.

I was planning to do automatic! Really struggled with the gears last time.

OP posts:
Original poster
PapayaCoconut · 07/11/2019 02:47

@Littleraindrop15

Am I reading that right - you learned to drive in two weeks?? Shock

Not sure if I can do an intensive course with a small breastfeeding baby and a DH who comes home at 7.30pm...

OP posts:
Original poster
PapayaCoconut · 07/11/2019 02:49

Can you use a sling/wrap when it rains heavily? How do you stop the baby getting soaked?

OP posts:
Purpleartichoke · 07/11/2019 02:52

If it’s raining heavily, I’d hire a car if you can afford it.

For regular days, I’d even consider a double buggy. At 5, my dd was well under the size limits and there were a few extreme occasions where we used it. I think carrying an infant, a book bag, and cajoling am exhausted 5 year old qualifies.

Rubyupbeat · 07/11/2019 02:56

Hey, I was in your situation many years ago, fortunately my son was a good walker, it was when I moved schools for him 10 miles away, that I had to learn to drive.
Do a weeks 'crash' course with the driving exam included, they are really good. Some companies guarantee a pass, if not they give you another week heavily discounted.
Hope it all works out for you.
Oh, and no, at 5 shes not to big for a buggy board and also she will build her stamina up too.

Sobeyondthehills · 07/11/2019 02:58

Just to say hiring a car involves a £200 deposit

You haven't mentioned your financial postion which might help people giving you solutions

weekfour · 07/11/2019 03:08

Just get a few taxis. Your baby is only tiny for a few more weeks so just do what you need to do to get through. It will all feel different by January. I think we sometimes forget we're allowed to use money to make our lives easier when we have tiny babies. I promise you won't still get taxis when she's in Year 6.

StoppinBy · 07/11/2019 03:15

If it's raining heavily then I would bus/taxi it if you can afford it but otherwise buy a jacket that is a few sizes too big and making sure that bub's head is always clear and free of any material then you can wear the jacket over the top - just zip up to babies back/bum, stretchy wraps keep them snug and warm.

1forAll74 · 07/11/2019 03:35

I can't believe all this nonsense. A 25 minute walk to school.with a 5 year old, and a baby in a pram, why on earth would this be a problem. And yes, in the rain, but it rains in the uk quite a lot. I can't believe that people are talking about cars and taxis here.

ButtercupGirI · 07/11/2019 03:36

Buggy board was my life saver, your DD can walk abit then use it when tired - probably have to give up scooter for a while so you don't have to carry it.

You can always use brolly when baby on sling.

ButtercupGirI · 07/11/2019 03:43

Balance or normal bike worked well if the route is pretty safe. It's alot less tired than walking or scooter, my son used to be on it every school run for his older sister.

OMGshefoundmeout · 07/11/2019 03:43

Taxi on rainy days. Walk on better days. If you can manage a buggy board it would be a help as would a sling but otherwise your daughter will get used to the walk quite quickly. And it is very good for her to have that exercise built into her routine.

Don’t rely on driving there being any quicker (although it will definitely be more comfortable on wet days) because school run traffic and parking can be an absolute nightmare. I lived a 10 minute drive/ 35 minute walk from DCs primary school and quite often ended up walking as the rush hour traffic was so bad the car journey could stretch to over 20 minutes and I might have to park up to quarter of a mile from the gates. Eventually I made arrangement with neighbours and we would take turns walking them in which meant we didn’t have to do the round trip twice a day.

Passthecherrycoke · 07/11/2019 03:44

Hiring a car also involves a driving license, so that’s out 🤣

Passthecherrycoke · 07/11/2019 03:47

Sorry posted too soon. I do think you need to be able to drive but, if I think about the parking situation of schools round here, I think you can only realistically expect to half the journey driving. Still get a buggy board, that’s what everyone I know with a similar walk does. It’s crap though, I couldn’t bear it

Aveisenim · 07/11/2019 03:53

@PapayaCoconut yes you can use a sling in the rain. Use a brolly, and they make coats and waterproof covers specifically for babywearing too. :)

MonChatEstMagnifique · 07/11/2019 03:54

I can't believe all this nonsense. A 25 minute walk to school.with a 5 year old, and a baby in a pram, why on earth would this be a problem.

🙄 There's always one. OP has said it's a problem because she has a tiny breastfeeding baby and her 5 year old is tired. She ends up having to drag her scooter as well as push a pram.

OP, if you can afford it, I would just get a taxi being as you're struggling so much. I imagine by Spring next year, if not before, your 5 year old will be less tired as she'll be more used to school and your baby will also be at an easier age and being weaned. Make your life as easy as you can.

lyralalala · 07/11/2019 03:56

I can't believe all this nonsense. A 25 minute walk to school.with a 5 year old, and a baby in a pram

Well it’s not just a 25 minute walk to school is it. It’s four 25 minute walks a day - all with a tiny baby, one with a 5yo and one with a shattered 5yo