Starting school run, no option but to walk mud track

[LittleMigraines]

My eldest is starring nursery, however as I don't drive (medical condition) the only way to get there is to walk via a country lane road, or up a mud track lane through woods. I'm getting very nervous about this as I will have 2 DC for this. Any tips or advice please.

That's quiet a lot of walking for your eldest - particularly going home after a day at nursery, so they'll be tired. When mine were small I had a Bibi Pram Strolli - google it. Its an alternative to a buggy-board, a bit like a small bike that attaches to the pram, but no peddling necessary. Maybe something like that would help?

I wouldn't fancy it when it's cold and wet in the winter. Might be ok in the summer but it's quite a long trek given the ages of the kids. I wouldn't fancy carrying a toddler or baby for an hour there and back.

I too get hugely anxious about walking in deserted woods etc. I catastrophise and imagine the worst happening. Unless you're a very private person, you could always put a post on a local FB page asking for some support til you get back on your feet, by way of lending you a bike
for a few months, a lift or a pony n trap (only half joking with the last one!).

Is there anyone living locally who might want to accompany you on your morning or afternoon walk. Maybe someone who wouldn't normally go for a walk on their own. Or a dog walker.

when my eldest started school, we lived in a village. There was the choice of up the road with no pavements and then a veyr narrow pavement, or cut through the woods, muddy tracks and all.

We chose the wood. Oldest was almost 5. Middle one was 2.5. I was 7 months pregnant with no. 3.

It was actually really good. It was a lovely walk every morning. he sometimes went on his bike (when trakc wasn't too muddy) and I pushed 2.5 year old in buggy. On the way home, we took our time, younger one often walked.

key things - footwear. Take school shoes in a bag.
Coats - warm and/or waterproof, so they are happily dry and warm.
snack - he always needed food before we set off for home, so I bought a sandwich or a banana for him. This wasn't necessary after 6 months, it was those first few months when it was a long time since lunch.
time - always leave 10 minutes earlier than you need to so you can stop and look at the bug/plant/rock, and not be stressed, and so you can walk at their pace and not rush.

You'll be fine.

Will the muddy way be busier at school run time?
I walk mine to school up a wooded path but at school run time it's always busy with other people on the school run so it doesn't bother me.
I'd take that route - wellies for you and your child going to nursery. Can you carry your 1 year old in a sling?

Wellies and waterproofs for everyone. It'll be fine.

What about a child carrier for the little one?

It is mainly the occasional dog walker.
My youngest is 11kg, I've never used a carrier, is he not too big for one now? Are they good for wet weather, as its often raining.

Contact your county council just in case they can help. Not sure if not compulsory school age. There is a scheme ere whereby if there's no footpaths then the council pay for transport.

@Abra1d1

so what?

there isn't a footpath for the OP to walk on, there's a country road with NO footpath or a track through the woods. She lost her drivers licence for medical reasons & appears to have had a very tough time since she moved there,

SHE feels apprehensive walking through the woods alone with two very young children.

shevwas asking for some some reassurance and/or advice. .

your post is just unnecessary & unkind.

@LittleMigraines I used to walk alone in the woods a lot (I'm right near a huge common) but I feel a lot more vulnerable now. I hate feeling like that, but I do. So you have my sympathy. If the roads are half as dangerous as they are here, I don't blame you for not wanting to do that either.

if I did use the road, the toddler would be strapped into the pram whether the liked it or not. I don't negotiate over safety issues & I'm bigger!! Baby in a sling & off we go.

however, in your situation id rather walk through the woods, the chances of someone attacking you are really really slim (which is why it makes the news if it happens) [around here, my worry is teenage /early 20's lads who have become feral since the lockdown & so entitled & full of themselves, but I don't think they'd bother anyone with two small kids] because the road is a definite danger.

I'm sorry life has changed so much for you & it's so hard x

(any chance of getting your licence given back to you?)

@hop321 she doesn't fancy it, but what other option does she have?

Could they do it on a scooter?

No.

Rural mud tracks and scooters are no good.

Windy no-pavement country roads and scooters - absolutely not in a million years.

Erm my ‘footpath’ is a track too. A remote one in places.

I was trying to reassure her that it is very unlikely that anything would happen and I have never been worried by strange men appearing or anything like that. I apologise if that’s not how it came across but I think accusations of unkindness are a bit OTT.

You need a backpack style carrier for hiking, like this.

Ask on FB or your local NextDoor or whatever as they can be pricey but a good one with paddings and hip straps will make all the difference.

It's about a mile and a half to my youngest's preschool. My choices are up the cliff and via the main road or along the sea path where you might meet no one or a few dog walkers. We do the sea path and both kids have absolutely loved it. Muddy puddles to jump in, conkers, acorns and shells to collect etc. No issues with either of them walking three miles a day as three year olds either.

Yes I get nervous at points but in the 4 years I've done it, I've never had a problem.

I have good waterproofs for me and dd. I carry a torch in case it starts to get dark and if I'm feeling nervous I call someone.

I would be a lot more concerned about the safety of walking 2 tiny children 25 minutes down a country road with no pavement than walking through the woods. Statistically being hurt in a vehicle accident is massively more of a worry than having a problem on a track through the woods.

I would be very happy to walk m the woods but must admit I would be very nervous about the road.

practically - some neoprene wellies for you and the little ones would be a good ideas
www.warmwellies.co.uk/kids-wellies?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJafoSlOM0k5j9Taxe2Y69dV4ThmKyMziYwoss6eQAB5-X6KWFAVLziBoClP8QAvD_BwE

She doesn't fancy it, but what other option does she have

She could find out if anyone lives near her that's driving to school and she might be able to walk to their house to drop off her child. At least for a few of the trips.

Appreciate that she couldn't reciprocate by driving but she could perhaps offer to have the person's child for a couple of hours an afternoon a week if that helps them out.

I used a buggy board for my
Eldest when I had to do similar.

Maybe share your location with someone if you're concerned?

Hopefully others might be using the route when school starts.

But YY to waterproofs.

i second the recommendation for a back carrier for the baby. It will make things easier when it gets muddy. Kids can wear puddle suits inside and some come with a roof for the rain! It might be worth asking on free cycle if anyone has one - new they are pricey but kids grow out of them quickly and there must be lots lingering unused in attics and sheds ( I’m afraid I have already passed ours on)

I did this for all 4 of my DC. Wellies and waterproofs and time. It was lovely often took longer as they wanted to stop and look at stuff.

We probably only got soaked about once a term.

Make sure your DC has their own back pack that they can take their shoes in and swap wellies at school and leave back pack there during the day to save you humping everything back and forth.

I expect you are at much less risk of attack than being in a town and less risk of an accident than driving. But tree roots can be a trip hazard so keep an eye out.

I miss those days being immersed in the seasons. Get an alarm or some other self defence device if it reassures you.

Is there anyone who lives near to you who would also be doing the same walk?

Another vote for good waterproof gear for everyone - no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!

You can get some really really bright (as in blindingly bright) torches that would put off any weirdos that you might encounter.

Definitely get wellies and waterproofs!

Are you in a village?

Usually you have a hoard of parents all walking the same way which is nice if it’s an isolated path and you’re a bit nervous.

Child carriers are designed to carry kids up to 3yrs of age. 11kg on your back is lighter than airport carryon luggage