How to discipline a child when time is critical?!

[PrinceCorum]

Currently struggling with a defiant DS7 who is being unruly on things like the school run. We have some strategies in place at home, such as reward charts, 'quiet zones' etc., but has anyone got any tips for dealing with unruly behaviour when out and about and time is critical, such as on the school run? for example, he sometimes hits his brother on the school run or refuses to walk with me and wanders off towards the road...

I think you should talk to him before going and use something as a reward. IE if you walk nicely to school you will have ten minutes extra TV, you can go to bed 15 minutes later, you can play on (favourite game) for an extra ten minutes, etc as opposed to a punishment. It might work better for you and for him.

Speaking as a teacher and a parent, I would say this. Some of the best parenting I have seen (which I plan on copying when mine gets to school age) is parent who 'timeout' their children once they arrive on the playground. Mostly for things you described (running away, hurting siblings etc). They let the other children play and chat to friends but either make their child sit out or hold their hand for a certain period of time. Trying to discipline after school for before school issues never really works as too much time has passed.
I have even had parents tell me 'I'm sorry mrs pickle, but jimmy can't come in yet. He hurt his sister on the way to school and hasn't finished his timeout yet'. I the get to do the patented teacher 'oh I'm so disappointed' look!

I would also consider not leaving the house until discipline has been restored. Since you have 2 DC I would make one sit out for 5 minutes while the other dc gets 5 minutes play or tv. Something lovely, tell them if they had both behaved they could have had 10 minutes extra after school, but because they couldn't behave they don't get it after school and one do gets it now.
I would also warn the school you are likely to have some late days for a couple of weeks and explain why. Most schools are understanding and supportive of parents trying to improve parenting. Some may cause a fuss, but it should only last 2 weeks.

This is a mixture of teacher experience and hearsay, so feel free to take with a pinch of salt, my dd is only 3 so all this yet to come!