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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hate the school run

217 replies

CandyFIosss · 06/09/2021 00:05

Does anyone else hate the school run? I honestly dread it, I hate it and if I never had to do it again I would be happy, it seem unusual though and most parents seem to love it! Does anyone else hate it?

OP posts:
Original poster
CandyFIosss · 06/09/2021 14:32

There’s nothing else I can think of that I dread though, I didn’t mind nappies etc (ok it wasn’t fun but I didn’t dread it or wish someone else could do it!) in the holidays we certainly wouldn’t get up and dressed and out the door by 8! I’m sorry but no way would I choose to do that if I didn’t have to.

OP posts:
fat13 · 06/09/2021 14:59

aren't you used to getting up early with 4 small kids??? What am I doing wrong

I’m wondering that too Grin

Severntrent · 06/09/2021 15:03

8 is quite early to have to leave. An early start, having 4 kids, having to go by bus, a complicated drop off system, along with social anxiety, does add up to a major PITA.

Severntrent · 06/09/2021 15:07

So YANBU given your circumstances.

MissyMooKins · 06/09/2021 15:12

Hated it with my oldest. Then he got big and I never got to do it again which was depressing. I'll love every day of taking my youngest 😆 goes so fast wont be for long.

MissyMooKins · 06/09/2021 15:16

Can your OHnot help with getting them ready and giving them breakfast to help you out. Mornings might not feel so bad then.

Willyoujustbequiet · 06/09/2021 15:22

Try being a lone parent at 2 different schools miles apart with neuro diverse/additional needs dc.

I'm meant to invent a time machine apparently.

Turkishangora · 06/09/2021 15:22

YANBU. I hated it. Hated having my day bookended by school start and finish times, the playground, the other parents everything. Life is much improved now they're both at a secondary school they can walk to and I no longer have to do it.

FfrothiCoffi · 06/09/2021 15:25

I neither like nor dislike it. It’s just a chore like many others. Im indifferent to it!

Bajskorv · 06/09/2021 15:42

I didn't like it but not because of other parents waiting because I'm not bothered of chatting with people who ignore me anyways. It was just taking my dc to school because he was hardly listening to me and he always wanted to run off. Picking up I was dreading what mood he be in and the feedback from the teachers.
He always running home.

Now he goes to a different school so it's taxi everyday with 2 other kids from his class. Just dropping him off to the taxi every morning and then he's home again without me moved an inch.

Sure I'm anxious because I'm not in control anymore , but man it's nice to not drop or collect him anymore. It's so difficult with a child who is disobedient with getting to school and back.

Jemma2907 · 06/09/2021 15:50

I'm with you Op and it's got even worse for us this term as they've narrowed down collection times but kept all the Covid queues in place. They also don't allow you to walk through the grounds to go between classrooms, you have to exit the school grounds and join another queue for a different entrance for another sibling. From the time I start queuing outside the school, it takes me 45-50 before I leave the grounds with 2 children. All that time is spent queuing. My total pick-up time is 1hr15 mins!

BastardMonkfish · 06/09/2021 16:08

@Severntrent

I think doing most things with 4 kids would be more tricky and tiresome than doing it with 1 or 2 kids, which would be a breeze in comparison. Especially going on a busy bus. But aren't you used to getting up early with 4 small kids??? What am I doing wrong!
Surely all children who would ordinarily wake up at 7am would cheerfully sleep til half 9 on school days, or is that just mine Grin
MacaroniPoni · 06/09/2021 16:12

YANBU - I did a 25 minute walk school run for 5 years as I didn't drive, so I do sympathise - I hated it too, it is a big chunk out of the day and I felt so guilty dragging the kids out in the cold/rain every day. I just walked, we didn't have a bus route that was direct to school.

Learning to drive has made a huge difference to me - is that something you can aim for? I can now just wait in the car until 1 minute before the gates open, and then collect the kids, back to the car, don't interact with anyone most days (apart from a breezy hello to parents I recognise).

If that's not an option, I used to have micro scooters for my kids which made a difference - scooting is quicker than walking, plus I could pull my youngest along when she was feeling tired.

fat13 · 06/09/2021 16:12

The OP is a lone parent.

Original poster
CandyFIosss · 06/09/2021 16:20

I am a lone parent my ex has never stepped foot in the school. yes my kids would happily lie in if they have a chance till later, I’ve tried a scooter and bike with my youngest and she’s not managed to ride on either of them, the school is up and down lots of hill so I don’t think she would ride safely

OP posts:
AmelieLovesAutumn · 06/09/2021 16:29

@Spanielsarepainless

We had neighbours who packed the children in the car and drove across the road to the school, then drove back. Total of perhaps 30 yards.
You have to be kidding!!

Any idea why??

I'd walk much further to do anything than put the kids in the car.

Confiscatedpopit · 06/09/2021 17:26

Why the angst?! Another who doesn’t understand it. My child moved schools this time last year- I still don’t know any of the other parents yet. I really don’t care- I just play on my phone and wait or look after my two youngest. Pick up and go. What’s the issue with it?

Original poster
CandyFIosss · 06/09/2021 18:47

I’ve already said not being in with the parents is a very minor part of it, I don’t really care about that bit but I can only guess it would be more enjoyable if I was as most of them act like it is the highlight of their day standing there having a chat.

OP posts:
Coasterfan · 06/09/2021 19:06

My new school run is two hours in the evening 😞 it’s horrific, two kids at two different secondaries and the traffic is unbelievable. Our house isn’t on DDs school bus run and DS already leaves at 7.15am to catch the bus to school, the buses home don’t leave until 5.45 so he wouldn’t be home until almost 7 so I can’t make him catch the bus both ways, it’s too long a day for him at 11.

It was however my choice to send them to these schools so I will grin and bear it and look forward to the lovely long holidays! I also work, 9am to 4pm and 6pm to 11pm!

PileOfBooks · 06/09/2021 19:11

Wow coasterfan that's hideous. Your poor kid. Can you change school/move!?

FfrothiCoffi · 06/09/2021 19:17

@CandyFIosss

I’ve already said not being in with the parents is a very minor part of it, I don’t really care about that bit but I can only guess it would be more enjoyable if I was as most of them act like it is the highlight of their day standing there having a chat.
Maybe it is, what’s wrong with that? It’s nice to catch up with friends, especially if you’ve not had any adult company all day.
Original poster
CandyFIosss · 06/09/2021 19:20

Where did I say there was anything wrong with it! I said I would probably enjoy it more too if I was chatty with the other mums? That’s not the main bit that bothers me

OP posts:
Coasterfan · 06/09/2021 19:21

@PileOfBooks he loves the school and he is fine, it was our decision and we talked about it at length before he went and he still wanted to go. If we move we ll be further from DDs school and she is year 9 and very settled. I m sure we will get used to it 😀

Heatherjayne1972 · 06/09/2021 19:22

I hated it
Luckily there’s a couple of alley ways the older kids can zip through to get to main roads - where I am waiting in my car

FfrothiCoffi · 06/09/2021 19:23

It was the way you said it… ‘most of them act like it’s the highlight of their day’. Very derisory.