To have never really done the school run?

[Veeveeoxox]

DD is 8 and in Year 4 for the first time in a long time I am picking her up directly from school. She goes to breakfast club at the local nursery and then after school club they pick her up and drop her off. I love it as there's no waiting for the teacher and no parents there either, my social anxiety loves it. Even if I'm off work I still take her to breakfast club and after-school club I just pick her up earlier. Does anyone else do this just because they loathe the school run ?

If my area had those amenities available I would be using them as the school run makes me physically ill. I spend 2 hours preparing myself mentally for the dreaded thing and then I'm like a terrified deer in the headlights. I think you're doing a bloody clever job of it.

My daughter does on school transport (Sen school) and it was the best decision I ever made - with my physical and mental health being so bad (really bad anxiety about going out) she would unfortunately end up either missing lots of school or it would leave me paralysed with fear every single day if I had to take her myself x

I feel so sad for people who get worked up about the school run. I promise no one is looking at you pr judging you, everyone generally is in their own head. I really doubt any dads have ever felt school run anxiety

I never do the school run. DS1 is in year 5 and I think I've done it about 20 times in that whole time.

DP drops them off every morning. MIL picks them up Monday and Tuesday and give them tea. My mum picks them up Wednesday and drops them at my nans for tea, Thursday and they go her house for tea and then Friday she picks them up and drops them off at home!

Yeah cos people are shit, blah blah blah

Nope I’m the opposite, I’ve always enjoyed it and consider it a privilege as I know others who wish they could and can’t. Although admittedly it’s a small school and an easy 10 minute walk I will miss it when it ends.
In 9 years of schools runs Ive never once come across any of the drama that you read about on here, people simply drop off or pick up children, possibly say hello and go about their day.

Same here, enjoy the school run

I used to love it! Buy then I liked seeing my friends there

I really valued the school run when mine were younger (too old to be accompanied now!). It was a great way to connect with the school and other parents. I was also on the PTA so the school run was a handy time to chat to parents I would otherwise not run into.

I think it's a shame you have that anxiety but if your system works for you that's all that matters.

I always have a nice happy feeling watching all the kids come out and people chatting. I was just thinking today what a lovely time it is having a primary age child and that one daybit will just be a memory and ill miss it ! (Probabky not much though )

I always dread the school run so this idea would definitely be a solution, however I'm a sahm and I've already had 6 hours child free so I'd feel really bad if my children had to spend longer at school unnecessarily. I suppose it's different if you are working and they have to go to before and after school clubs.

I always loved the school run. I didn't realise people got anxious about it and dreaded it.

Yes, I enjoy the walk with the kids and have made some life long friends

Honest question, as I'm not at this stage yet, but what is so anxiety-inducing about the school run?

I’d also like to know what is so difficult about dropping your kids at school?

I feel so sad for people who get worked up about the school run. I promise no one is looking at you pr judging you, everyone generally is in their own head. I really doubt any dads have ever felt school run anxiety

I don’t care about them judging me, I care about other parents taking up the whole pavement and/or allowing their children to zigzag on their scooters where people can’t get by on an already narrow pavement, thinking the middle of the school path and/or even the school gates where again people are still trying to get in and out is the perfect place to have a chat when there are several places that wouldn’t force people to try to move around them to chat instead. One of the highlights of Covid was that order was put in place and people had to wait in line and come at scheduled times and weren’t allowed to be all over the place anymore on school property making things smoother at least for that part of the walk but that changed once things loosened.

My oldest is at a SEN school now and he takes a taxi which is amazing (no choice since it is the closest sen school that had space for him) but just trying to get my youngest to nursery which is across the street from the school is a pain and he’ll be going there next year for reception. I’m hoping my DH may take over by then. He’s only a bit better than me but seemingly people move out of his way when he asks where I get a glare or eyeroll just for politely asking to get pass.

My DH or I do every school run between us but YANBU. I love that we are fortunate to see lots of our kids, but don't love the 'pick up experience'!

Is it bad that I look forward to the school run? I WFH and it’s good for me to get out in the fresh air and get some steps in while actually interacting face to face with other humans. It’s nice to chat with the other parents and stay connected to what’s happening at school. I usually just wave and smile at the teacher but sometimes she will stop and tell me something that wouldn’t be important enough to email or call about but that I still like to know. I also find it’s beneficial to have a relationship with the office, mainentance and other staff you see around the school. One time my DS left his ski parka at school before we were leaving on a ski holiday and facilities person went out of his way to help us get it back when the school was closed. I suspect it may be because I am always friendly and greet him by name and definitely not because we give him wine at Christmas.

@EishetChayil

Honest question, as I'm not at this stage yet, but what is so anxiety-inducing about the school run?

I'm introverted so hate making small talk, often I go blank and can't think of anything to say. There are people there who I don't like and try to avoid on a daily basis so it's hard work. So many other things I can't even begin to list them. If you haven't suffered with anxiety then you'll never quite get it I'm afraid. Lucky you is all I can say!

I'm not sure luck has anything to do with it

I have mixed feelings about the school run.

It's a lovely 5 min walk through the park and I love seeing all the kids. I think it helps build relationships with school staff and parents too although I don't go overboard.

I don't find the other parents that friendly which bothers me a bit.

But - my dc get a boost out of me taking them, and like to be picked up by me or dh. So I do it.

I would love to never do the school run, it’s not that I think people are looking at me/judging etc, it’s the journey there (we have to take the bus) journey home, the bus is always so packed, and I hate standing around waiting for ages (4 kids at school 😫) I hate how crowded it is, I just really hate doing i t

@Huy456

I feel so sad for people who get worked up about the school run. I promise no one is looking at you pr judging you, everyone generally is in their own head. I really doubt any dads have ever felt school run anxiety

This. I don't see why the school run is such a big deal. You just take them, wait til the bell goes then leave. Talk to people if you want to or don't if you don't want to.

I didn't do it when DS1 was in yR as he was in wrap-around every day and I felt quite isolated from school life and social connections, not helped by him having no interest in talking about school.

Since I stopped working, I like the structure of the day and I missed it in the lockdowns. My step count plummeted too!

Some days I'd end up chatting, some days I don't. I like casual interactions.

There's nothing odd about working and not being avaliable for them. There's plenty of parents that I've rarely seen.

I can't understand what's so stressful about the school run, people talking about hating to make small talk etc. Nobody chats on ours unless they already know people. I occasionally say hi to/smile at a couple of other mums I recognise as having kids my ds is friends with but that's it at the preschool drop off/pick up. Why is the school one so different to the preschool one?