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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

School run Dilemma

141 replies

Cocomelon101 · 16/10/2020 15:21

Hi Mners, wondering how people figure this out.

I will Have a newborn and year1 dd.
DH will need to leave home at 6.30 to be at work. I will be doing drop off and pick ups. Is there transport to school or does everyone walk or drive?
I'm thinking this is going to be tough with a newborn.
Moved abroad and now moving back after dc so not sure what options I have?

OP posts:

merrygoround51 · 16/10/2020 16:11

I don’t see the issue. Walk or drive park and then walk.

Laughingcrow · 16/10/2020 16:12

4 kids here. We walk just under a mile. Year 3, year 1, nursery and a 18 month old in a buggy
Can't see the dilemma. We don't have a car either so we walk whatever the weather...

Redwinestillfine · 16/10/2020 16:12

We walk that distance unless it's a particularly awful day. So much easier than trying to park. When my ds was little I just wrapped him up and took a sling. When he was bigger a buggy.

Lazypuppy · 16/10/2020 16:12

Undee a mile easy to walk with baby in pushchair, 20mins there and 20mins back

Toothsil · 16/10/2020 16:13

We're around one mile from the school, DH leaves for work before 7 and we walk. We did get absolutely soaked on Monday 😂 but that's the worst it's been in the year we've been doing that walk.

marmitegirl01 · 16/10/2020 16:13

Gosh! You are going to have some bigger ‘problems’ than this as you parent !!

Krampusasbabysitter · 16/10/2020 16:14

A mile really is short enough to walk. No dilemma here.

TicTac80 · 16/10/2020 16:14

Walk it, and have baby in pram or in a sling (assuming you and/or DD don't have mobility problems!). Saves the faff of having to put baby in car seat, put carseat in car, drive, find suitable parking, take baby out of car seat etc etc etc. Or (if you're a cyclist), bike with a trailer for kiddies to go in? I reckon walking would be far easier for the time being :D

AGoatAteIt · 16/10/2020 16:15

Under a mile means you walk. Or drive if you prefer but for many schools parking seems to be sparse to non existent. I was back doing the nursery run the day after my youngest was born (not a brag btw- no way would I have managed a mile walk each way the day after having my first!)

Children with a place at a special needs school usually get free transport as do children allocated a school place that’s several miles away when there’s no spaces available at closer schools.

TheDuchessofMalfy · 16/10/2020 16:16

Although I must admit the US system of having them all go on a school bus sounds more environmentally friendly, as unlike many in this thread, so many parent drive

justmeagain91 · 16/10/2020 16:17

Under a mile and no job to go to, I'd walk. If you go back to work after maternity, I'd be driving, wouldn't have time to walk that far there and back and then get to work. I have to drive to our school (3 miles), I park in a car park 2 mins walk away, never have issues while everyone else tries to park as close as possible, illegally. Why does the school run drop people's IQs by 50%? (I'm just meaning the terrible parkers! They park around roundabouts here, ROUNDABOUTS?!)

WhereverIGoddamnLike · 16/10/2020 16:17

Where is the dilemma? You're less than a mile away. You walk. Newborn in pram and other one walks.

Really.. what is it you think is going to be hard? Every parent with more than 1 kid has had to do the school run with one child not yet in school.

Nanny0gg · 16/10/2020 16:18

@marmitegirl01

Gosh! You are going to have some bigger ‘problems’ than this as you parent !!

How kind. The OP is moving back from somewhere that presumably has a different system and she asked a perfectly reasonable question.

Nice of you to take time out to deliver a sparky answer.

OP, luckily you've had lots of sensible replies. School parking in this country is hell.

QueenofLean · 16/10/2020 16:20

We walk. I have one in year one, one in reception and a baby. DH leaves for work at 7.30am. It’s exactly a mile for us.

LadyPenelope68 · 16/10/2020 16:21

You just take the baby with you, not sure I understand why it’s a dilemma?

Ariela · 16/10/2020 16:22

Walk. Parking spaces are like hen's teeth. You can walk quicker.

LightDrizzle · 16/10/2020 16:24

Definitely walk. Buy a wide brimmed waterproofs hat from an outdoors/equestrian type shop. They aren’t lookers but are invaluable when you need your hands free for pram pushing or dog walking.

It’s not a tempting prospect for you and I sympathise, but once you are back in your house with the baby, you’ll probably feel a lot better for the walk.

Driving, scrambling for a parking place and wrangling straps and car seat will be far more stressful and unpredictable.

nosswith · 16/10/2020 16:24

Please walk and take the baby with you. Your DD will appreciate road safety sooner, benefit from the open air and exercise, as will you.

Time2change2 · 16/10/2020 16:26

Many people have a baby and a school child. I had baby twins and a school run on my own. You just get on with it- walk or drive and park near by if bad weather?

Emmacb82 · 16/10/2020 16:27

I walk every day with a baby and ds who started reception in September. I could drive but I can’t be bothered to fight for a space and by the time I’ve unloaded the baby I might as well walk! I actually quite enjoy it, even in the rain. Me and ds get to chat about his day, and the baby gets a nap.

Redlocks28 · 16/10/2020 16:27

Is there transport to school or does everyone walk or drive?

I don’t really understand this. There is clearly lots of different means of transport to school. Many people walk or drive. Some cycle, some get the bus, others get a taxi or the train. You can choose however you like.

Or are you asking if there is state funded transport from your home to the school gate? The answer to that, is no!!

Most people also don’t have the luxury of two parents not working at 8/9am every day so that usually falls to one person to take all the kids out on the school run. This seems something of a surprise to you.

Original poster

Cocomelon101 · 16/10/2020 16:28

Thank you all so much for these replies.

@Nanny0gg thanks for being kind. Yes, our school system here is quite different so I was just trying to figure out the logistics. Our school day starts at 7.30 and kids can be in from 7 so Dh drop off.
And given that we have warm weather throughout the year and usually close over our winter months, I was concerned about how people get on during bad weather.

I know theres bigger issues, and It might seem a bit silly but we are making a move where literally everything is different and just felt overwhelmed.

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 16/10/2020 16:30

Under a mile?

You walk. If it’s wet, you make sure baby is bundled up nicely, and the child is wearing good water proof clothing.

marveloustimeruiningeverything · 16/10/2020 16:32

I don't understand the dilemma. Probably because when my just turned 4 year old who was starting Reception, I had a 2 year old and an 8 week old that had to do the trips, too. You just get on with it and do it, walking or driving depending upon parking in your area..

lazyarse123 · 16/10/2020 16:34

Why are some pps being snippy? Op is not saying she can't manage but is coming back from abroad and not sure how things work. Mine are grown up but we always walked unless going on somewhere. Yes to not bother dressing baby unless you're super organised.

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