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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should schools be telling parents to walk kids to school?

223 replies

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 22:49

This isn't an argument for the environment or to keep kids fit but to stop the roads around schools becoming so dangerously congested and for parents who do need to drive their kids, to be able to do so and not have to battle for parking. I take the kids to school and then have to shoot off to work, any one doing the same and the car is essential. However, the majority of the mums at my school do not work, they could easily walk their kids the relatively short distance but choose not too. They all have huge cars and all aim to get as close to the school as possible, it makes crossing the road dangerous, even with a one way system in place enforced by the school. Parents also sitting in their cars with the engines idling with the heater or air con. I'll be the first to admit that I love my car and I couldn't live without it, but when I'm not at work I walk to school and back. It's far less stressful yet the same parents clog the roads every day. I swear it's a pissing contest sometimes to flaunt who has the nicest car and this is a state school!

OP posts:

Hedonism · 19/05/2022 23:17

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:14

I am judging in this situation your right. I've already pointed out I have no issue with parents needing to take the car to then go to work after. My walking route is through a field, it's not practical when I've got to go to work and have another child to drop off on the way. If I didn't have to go to work I would absolutely walk and do on my days off.

Show quote history

But how do you know what their onward commitments are?

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:18

OP, just get a tank then you can just drive straight over all those other fuckers' cars. How dare they do exactly what you're doing. The utter barefaced cheek of it.

Original poster

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:19

I love AIBU! I've said numerous times I walk when I do not need to work! I have no issue with parents driving like I've already said if they have commitments BUT many go straight home.

OP posts:

Dammitthisisshit · 19/05/2022 23:19

How am I being a hypocrite when I mention it's far safer for the tiny rounds around schools not to be gridlocked with cars? I love my car but I don't believe people should be using them to drive 10 minutes up the road to go home again

because you said you drive on days when you’re working! you feel your time is too valuable on mornings when you work, others will feel they have their own reasons.

I walk for what it’s worth and would bloody love not to have to go through the fume filled nightmare that is drop off. But I think we need to recognise that people will do it until it’s less convenient to do so. Having all parking banned in the immediate vicinity of schools sounds like a great idea. And fines for anyone running their engine when stationary!

100problems · 19/05/2022 23:20

You're right @orwellwasright I will adjust my letter.

I'm so sick of parking problems it makes me want to scream.

School staff are there to educate kids, not their feckless parents. I will not put staff at risk from abuse, protected only by a high vis jacket, attempting to control something that is completely unenforceable.

NoSquirrels · 19/05/2022 23:21

Look, you’re not being unreasonable to say it would be great if everyone who didn’t absolutely need to drive left their car at home.

But as it’s unenforceable, and as everyone else will have as many reasons as you do (even if you think they don’t), it’s a bit hopeless.

It would probably be great if your school completely banned everyone from driving anywhere nearby. It would solve the issue, but make your life considerably less convenient too.

Justmuddlingalong · 19/05/2022 23:22

You're coming up with excuses as to why you can't walk to school and then return home to get your car to get to work. Unless you know every other parents' plans for the day, I suggest you pipe down with your suggestions for everybody but you.

CheshireChat · 19/05/2022 23:22

It's a bit like that thing where: "you aren't stuck in traffic, you are traffic".

Between the people that live too far, over a field (🤔), with parents and/or children with mobility issues, with additional needs, that need to go to work etc. Etc. There's a lot of people who will rely on a car even if it's not ideal.

NoSquirrels · 19/05/2022 23:23

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:19

I love AIBU! I've said numerous times I walk when I do not need to work! I have no issue with parents driving like I've already said if they have commitments BUT many go straight home.

How do you know, though, if a lot of the time you’re driving off to work?

bridgetreilly · 19/05/2022 23:23

School or more likely PTA could organise a walking bus. But no one can actually stop parents driving.

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:25

Chuckling at the idea that you know what every single other parent is doing after they've dropped their kid off. Has MI6 been in touch to make use of your super sleuthing skills?

Original poster

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:25

NoSquirrels · 19/05/2022 23:21

Look, you’re not being unreasonable to say it would be great if everyone who didn’t absolutely need to drive left their car at home.

But as it’s unenforceable, and as everyone else will have as many reasons as you do (even if you think they don’t), it’s a bit hopeless.

It would probably be great if your school completely banned everyone from driving anywhere nearby. It would solve the issue, but make your life considerably less convenient too.

Well put. It's about doing our bit, I appreciate not everyone can walk but if you can and are able to do so, even just one day a week, if everyone started to do the same, it might make a big difference.

OP posts:

Justmuddlingalong · 19/05/2022 23:26

Do as I say, not as I do...

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:26

Always the same with a certain type of entitled motorist isn't it... My journey is essential. Yours isn't.

Original poster

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:27

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:25

Chuckling at the idea that you know what every single other parent is doing after they've dropped their kid off. Has MI6 been in touch to make use of your super sleuthing skills?

Funny! Of course I don't know any other parents and they are all driving to tend to sick relatives after the school run.

OP posts:

WorriedMillie · 19/05/2022 23:29

Ours encourages it, but we live too far away for me to manage to drop DD off and get to work by 9am. I always park respectfully though.
A fair few do walk though, to be fair.

StuckInTheMiddleOfNowhere · 19/05/2022 23:29

Im a sahm but dcs pre school is 3.5 miles away. Dual carriage way and busy A road.
No choice but to take the car.

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:30

I think it's probably best if school canvasses all parents to determine their reasons for driving to school. These could then be passed to the OP who would rule on whether the reason was acceptable or not and permission granted accordingly.

orwellwasright · 19/05/2022 23:32

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:27

Funny! Of course I don't know any other parents and they are all driving to tend to sick relatives after the school run.

Show quote history

If you know them all so well why not just tell them their reasons for driving are not as important as your own so they need to walk instead.

100problems · 19/05/2022 23:34

@orwellwasright OP can do the sodding canvassing herself too.

Schools can't even get twat parents not to send in Nutella sandwiches.

Original poster

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:35

@orwellwasright you actually made me laugh.

I'm not saying I'm more important, the other parents going for a coffee morning straight after are just as entitled to use the car they pay for and tax but it's about doing our collective bit and stopping to think about leaving the car at home where possible. There have been some near misses at the local secondary school which is on a main road but parents still insist on parking right outside.

OP posts:

rnsaslkih · 19/05/2022 23:35

if you think that people who don’t work and go straight home should walk, then I would say to you that you should amend your working hours or change your job so that you can also walk.

In other words, it is not your business what other people do with their time.

Justmuddlingalong · 19/05/2022 23:37

Could you do your bit by sticking on your wellies to hike across the field and back?

Original poster

bellamountain · 19/05/2022 23:38

Justmuddlingalong · 19/05/2022 23:37

Could you do your bit by sticking on your wellies to hike across the field and back?

I already do and in the rain!

OP posts:

Reviewer123456 · 19/05/2022 23:38

Trying to find the right words as I am a bit gob smacked by the entitlement, oh yes, found it.
Hypocrite …

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