Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Oppopotomouse · 07/11/2019 07:24

*As your dd has just started and is so exhausted would going part time be better for her do you think? Personally I would be a little worried that a 5 year old was struggling with the walk. Are you all ok? I'd consider part time for a bit if it's really that hard on her .

I'll get flamed for saying this as everyone sends their kid to school with their limbs hanging off on MN but take tomorrow off! Have a duvet day and rest up. And have a day to think about things, maybe try and get a buggy organised.

Is there a nearer school?*

Eh? Bonkers

OP it does get better. That's quite a lot of walking for you. Flowers

Oppopotomouse · 07/11/2019 07:24

Bold fail.

NationMcKinley · 07/11/2019 07:26

Well I used to walk 14 miles a day with 2 under 5 year olds and my EBF baby triplets through hurricanes and blizzards. It did me no harm so OP I’m not sure what you’re complaining about Hmm. Really not liking all these smug comments. They’re not helpful AT ALL.

Personally I think it sounds tough and I’m not surprised you’ve had enough. The fact that it’s November makes it so much worse. I’d suggest looking on local selling sites as you can often pick up a reasonably priced double buggy. This is exactly what I did in a very similar situation. It worked great and made ALL our lives easier. Flowers to you. It will get easier I promise you.

Lipperfromchipper · 07/11/2019 07:26

A buggy board is no different from pushing her on her scooter! Get the buggy board and start learning to drive ASAP!!

Potnoodledoo · 07/11/2019 07:26

Or just get the bus home from school.

Curtainly · 07/11/2019 07:27

Sorry you're finding it tough OP. If you can comfortably afford a taxi then why not some days, but probably better would be to find something that makes it easier for you. Perhaps a sling for baby and then scooter for DD? Or the buggy board. And driving lessons really depend as everyone is different, but the sooner you start the sooner you can pass, you can do it :)

ThatMuppetShow · 07/11/2019 07:29

A buggy board is no different from pushing her on her scooter
of course it is! Have you even tried?

Well I used to walk 14 miles a day with 2 under 5 year olds and my EBF baby triplets through hurricanes and blizzards. It did me no harm
what a stupid comment - pointing out that walking less than half an hour is not a big deal is hardly the same.

I am guessing you are one of those parents who cannot walk ever and has to park in the school at the first drop of rain...

MrOnionsBumperRoller · 07/11/2019 07:31

As a single parent i still put DD5 almost 6 in her Out n About Nipper (wonderful beast it is) as required; long days out when she'll tire, evening dog walks she's too tired for, events such as bonfire night where she'll tire/require a seat. I'm disabled so can't drag /carry her and found it so liberating when the penny dropped that what is 'normal' is just a load of bollocks, do what enables you to get through the day! Without the pushchair i'd be unable to have my dog, a huge source of comfort and companionship as DD would be an obstacle in walking the dog sufficiently. Do what you need to do. Competitive 'i got rid of my pushchair when my child was one year old ' has always made me Hmm

stayfit · 07/11/2019 07:31

My son at that age enjoyed scooting and I had a strap to hold him. Also recommend a snack after school like cracker/cheese or a fruit to perk them up.
Can you start driving lessons in the weekend. It will come handy when kids start class etc later on.

SarahTancredi · 07/11/2019 07:32

oppo

Part time is sometimes an option. It's there for parents who feel their kids arent ready for full time school.

Many schools introduce things like wake up shake up and morning mile to get kids running about and exercising before school so they are better prepared for lessons . 20 mins isnt that long a walk.

It's not a dig or being smug. And If the kid is struggling then that would be something that personally worried me. If it wouldnt worry others then fine. I suggested part time In case op hadnt thought to ask and maybe felt that it would perhaps suit her better.

SarahTancredi · 07/11/2019 07:35

And alsondribing isn't always the easy time saving practical option it's made out to be.

When a 10 min.journet can take 45 mins and your kids are hot and agitated in the back and all the arseholes on the road stress you both out it's always the better option

KnifeAngel · 07/11/2019 07:35

I learned in one week on an intensive course. I couldn't be doing with one lesson a week.

Wherecanwegetoff123 · 07/11/2019 07:35

25 minute walk for a 5 year old is nothing. My 2 year old walks double than that with not much complaint. Don't take the scooter. It slows you down if she's not using it. Just be a bit firmer. It's good exercise and bonding rime. Ask her questions about what she sees. Play yellow car etc. Use the time to talk to her she might be distracted from the walk and it will take less time
Yes to learning to drive but later. I have 4 kids and the youngest is 6 months. We have always walked everywhere as I didn't have a car until a year ago but we still walk more than drive. 6 years, 4 years 2 years and 6 mknth old. Get some good gloves scarf hat and warm shoes. And bobs your uncle.

My friend has a 6 year old and she drives the 10 minute walk to school from her house because there's a hill.... It's more of a slope. She does this so much he can't be bothered to walk anywhere. Don't do that. Embrace the walk. She will thank you for it later.

MrOnionsBumperRoller · 07/11/2019 07:36

And before i get accused of having a lazy child, she runs everywhere, goes to the park most days, trampolining 3 hours a week, Ninja Warrior class and is very sporty. Unless someone is living your life, experiencing your struggles, then while they are welcome to their opinion, you are welcome to disregard it as utter horse shit.

raisinseverywhere · 07/11/2019 07:37

Maybe borrow a buggy board to try it out. Mine gave me bad back problems. I'd get a double buggy that your older DC can jump in and out of when he gets tired. Or just get a taxi for the return journey on days when you know he is particularly tired. A scooter just creates work for you as you have to carry it.

I had a long walk to primary school when I was young in the 1970s, but in those days all the younger children used to have an afternoon nap at school on the floor of the classroom. School is very tiring for 5 year olds.

TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead · 07/11/2019 07:41

I remember finding this so tough, but it gets better!

Buy yourself and DD a decent hooded waterproof coat, and give DD a snack at pick up time (fruit, biscuit, sandwich) as often kids are hungry by then.

I learned to drive when pregnant with DS2, it took 6 months and I failed the test 3 times (nerves) but sooo worth it with 2 small kids! Can you take lessons on a Saturday? Once DC2 can be fed by DH? (Eg around 6 months? She won't starve if you are gone for an hour)

Good luck

FamilyOfAliens · 07/11/2019 07:44

I know someone else has mentioned this already, but is this your nearest school, OP?

I’m guessing 1.5, maybe 2 miles if it takes you 25 minutes. Is there no nearer school you could transfer your reception hold to or are schools over-subscribed in your area and this the nearest one with a space?

Marriedwithchildren5 · 07/11/2019 07:45

I'm sure stories of greater hardship are a huge help to the OP!

You mean people giving similar experiences to the op? To let her know it gets easier and it can be done? Sorry is this thread just about advising her to get a taxi?

Surely she needs advice from people who have been there and doing it. Not just the spectators?

NationMcKinley · 07/11/2019 07:48

Well I used to walk 14 miles a day with 2 under 5 year olds and my EBF baby triplets through hurricanes and blizzards. It did me no harm
what a stupid comment - pointing out that walking less than half an hour is not a big deal is hardly the same.

Did you actually READ my ENTIRE post @ThatMuppetShow?? You know, all the actual WORDS??? Hmm

gonewiththerain · 07/11/2019 07:56

For the short term I’d get the taxi, at least on the way home and you can probably pre book it. In fact there maybe women taxi drivers in your area who do school runs for the LEA (usually for special schools which have different times) who might just be able to pick her up for you.
A double buggy would be a good idea for mornings and when the weather improves in a few months, the spare seat will also be handy for extra bags.
I was complaining to my mother how little my 2 year old walks and how much I carry and push him. It was rapidly pointed out to me that in the past she pushed us mainly until we were 3 as short legs are no good for long distances and her mother (in the late 1940s) had an extra seat on the pram that the next smallest could sit on, the eldest could stand holding on to the back of the pram as well. Pushchairs apparently has a bar across the back that an older child stood on and sometimes they stood on it on the way home from school.

Elodie2019 · 07/11/2019 07:57

There are plenty of people on here who happily walk for hours in the rain, wind and snow with a tiny baby and more than one small child every day. Good for them. They really are MUCH better people than the rest of us. Hmm

Get a taxi on the days you are struggling OP and don't think twice about it.

YouDoYou18 · 07/11/2019 07:58

Do any local childminders do school runs? My eldest attends a childminder and she does drop offs and pick ups from school, and gives them breakfast and everything! Maybe something to look into?

Ginnymweasley · 07/11/2019 08:00

I do a similar walk with 4 yr old and a 1 yr old. It's not fun in the rain but it could be a lot worse. I wouldn't drive even if I could tbh, the parking at school is horrendous and becomes a free for all at about 8:45. We have good waterproofs and boots and I have a snack for dd when she finishes school and on the way to and from school we play games. I spy is a current favourite. It's good exercise. My walk is mainly up hill on the way there so for school pick up I challenge myself to do it I'm x mins etc. My fitness has improved. Tbf I quite like walking though. It's good for you and the environment.

DtPeabodysLoosePants · 07/11/2019 08:04

I was doing the 5 mile round trip school run from when ds was a week old and ebf. He slept in the pram there and back. Fed before we left (with his two sisters) and fed on return. If he needed feeding on the way we stopped and fed all fresco or at school. No dad around to help at all. Dds were 6 and 7 and had been walking to school since they were 4. Ds is now 4 and has been walking since age 3. It sucks when it rains though and we have an amber weather warning for rain today. I feel for you with the rain but that's what raincovers and waterproofs are for.

SarahTancredi · 07/11/2019 08:05

Get a taxi on the days you are struggling OP and don't think twice about it

Well no you are better pre booking them.tbh. getting a taxi on a school day is pretty hard alot of the time they are all already booked.

Depends on the area too as alot round here they are forever pulling the taxis off the road for being unsafe or drive like idiots.

Find a reputable firm and book. Dont just call up in the morning