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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

School run with a toddler is fucking awful

85 replies

collectspples · 30/11/2023 08:34

I'm so fed up with my toddler just being a total nightmare on drop off and pick up. Makes me so stressed out.

Any tips. He's two so I imagine it's just a waiting game

OP posts:

fuckssaaaaake · 30/11/2023 18:44

Muchonachomiamigo · 30/11/2023 09:45

Put him in the buggy, knee between his legs so he can't do the 'toddler rigid banana' thing and strap him in. Push him where you need to go.

I wouldn't carry a tantrumming toddler. Especially if they flail their arms and scream like tantrumming toddlers do.
Surely thats more stressful?

How about reins so he can't run off?

Edited

Rigid banana 😂 perfect

Vettrianofan · 30/11/2023 19:46

My NDN just gets other family members to do school drop off and pick up for her so she doesn't need to do it with her 2yo. She has a 7yo, 9yo and 11yo.

Genevie82 · 30/11/2023 20:04

… it’s a snack in his hand given the moment when you get him out the car- yes that awful transition moment (!) to keep occupied and distracted - the routine / association of being given it same time every day will reduce things.. something tasty and treat like - feel your pain! X

CuttingMeOpenthenHealingMeFine · 30/11/2023 20:08

Vettrianofan · 30/11/2023 19:46

My NDN just gets other family members to do school drop off and pick up for her so she doesn't need to do it with her 2yo. She has a 7yo, 9yo and 11yo.

My DD was so bad at school run it got to the point where I got my parents to pick up my older DS from school or would drop DD in with them (they are 2 mins from the school) and then go pick up DS.

They looked after her in my working days and had to divide and conquer for school runs as they couldn’t handle her.

WeightoftheWorld · 30/11/2023 20:36

Another vote for buggy. I sometimes give mine a snack to eat or books to look at whilst he's in there.

Original poster

collectspples · 30/11/2023 20:37

Vettrianofan · 30/11/2023 19:46

My NDN just gets other family members to do school drop off and pick up for her so she doesn't need to do it with her 2yo. She has a 7yo, 9yo and 11yo.

Cool thanks. My family are 6 hours drive away

OP posts:

QueenofTerrasen · 30/11/2023 21:44

"Wouldn't solve the screaming issue which is the main trigger for my stress".

He won't scream forever and to be blunt he will get over it. Better for him to have a tantrum than to run off. Let him take a toy or a snack or even a tablet if it'll distract him for a bit.

Original poster

collectspples · 01/12/2023 10:01

Much better this morning. Had to park about 3/4 mins away from school this morning. Got the pram out, he got in willingly, pushed him into school (Fridays mornings are open classrooms for all parents) he actually sat and let me look at my eldest's work.

He's been a terror since we've been back but I think he's developing HFM.

OP posts:

Historybooks · 02/12/2023 20:49

RocketPanda · 30/11/2023 14:35

As above, why is a buggy not the answer? It will keep him safe, you from being kicked, less stress for your older child/ren going into school because you're not dashing off in the wrong direction.

Some kids scream so much and keep trying to throw themselves out. They take off their straps and it doesnt feel safe. I always hated physically forcing my child but even if you say well just do it ignore them screaming you still have a nightmare school run.

TheMagicDeckchair · 02/12/2023 21:11

Glad the buggy seems to have worked. I also have 2yo toddler twins and I have absolutely no choice about putting them in the pushchair for the school run, it’s the only way to keep them safe. I get some complaints from them some days but what can I do?

I was going to suggest trying a trike, snacks/juice bottles to bribe/distract and also check it isn’t something silly like he’s too cold etc. If he’s feeling under the weather that won’t help either. It’s tough when they can’t tell you what’s wrong.

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