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Original poster

Hate the school run

35 replies

GaroTheMushroom · 09/01/2024 18:47

Does anyone else absolutely hate the school run? It’s never got any better and I seriously just never want to do it again, I hate it so much everything about it. It’s not the parents or anything like that I just hate all aspects of it. Still a very long way to go till it’s over. Just wondered if anyone felt the same?

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Willowkins · 09/01/2024 19:31

I definitely did feel the same - fitting it around work, competing with all the other parents for a reasonable parking space, waiting. There were no direct buses. I had such joy when DD took her A Levels and effectively left school last year.

But then the university run took over. Oh my... It's only a few times a year but it's a different level.

Dacadactyl · 09/01/2024 19:34

I used to love the school run because I got to catch up with the other mums etc.

I felt involved in the school community at primary in a way I never did when they moved to secondary. You don't know people in the same way and I miss it

JubileeJumps · 09/01/2024 19:35

Loathed it. Once my kids hit year 6 they walked there and back alone.

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Comedycook · 09/01/2024 19:40

I used to hate it...my dds class had some horrible parents....she's at secondary school now and I'm so happy I don't have to see some of those people ever again 😂

urrrgh46 · 09/01/2024 19:55

I home educate - no school run 😉

UnusualTeaTowel · 09/01/2024 20:11

I find it annoying as it’s hard to fit around work. Never had any problem with other parents though. I say hello to ones I know, no drama.

Geraldneedsasecondclassstamp · 09/01/2024 20:15

I'm hoping we won't hate it. Son will be attending a school a ten minute walk away and we both pick and choose our working hours so shouldn't ever find that we're both in a terrible rush.

I can imagine a crazy rush in the morning is not a nice way to start the day, and if you have to drive in that's no fun either.

Dontdeclutterthemagic · 09/01/2024 20:27

I get DH to do it if he can because of the annoyance factors, as follows, although i don't really hate it, just get a bit grumpy. . .

If I park nearby I have to queue to get back out and I'm late for work. If I park and we walk, by the time I've got back to the car, I'm late for work.

Pavements are filthy so I'm filthy by the time I get to work .

We have to walk in the opposite direction to approximately 2,000 secondary school students who form a zombie like horde.

Only another 10 years and 2 terms to go!

Mumaway · 09/01/2024 20:28

I hate it soooo much. The traffic, the parking, the bitchy mums, the monotony of it all. The kids start bickering the second they get in the car, they whine about snacks, they complain about having to do homework when they get home and what might be for dinner.
We try the 'tell me three good things that happened today' routine, but then they just fight about who goes first🙄

Cosycover · 09/01/2024 20:30

Dontdeclutterthemagic · 09/01/2024 20:27

I get DH to do it if he can because of the annoyance factors, as follows, although i don't really hate it, just get a bit grumpy. . .

If I park nearby I have to queue to get back out and I'm late for work. If I park and we walk, by the time I've got back to the car, I'm late for work.

Pavements are filthy so I'm filthy by the time I get to work .

We have to walk in the opposite direction to approximately 2,000 secondary school students who form a zombie like horde.

Only another 10 years and 2 terms to go!

Are you rolling around on the pavement? How are you getting filthy?

PurpleChrayne · 09/01/2024 20:34

I thought it would be one of those things I would hate about being a parent, but i enjoy it. I'm massively antisocial and weird, but the controlled interactions suit me.

rampagingrobot · 09/01/2024 20:37

Sounds like the people who hate it are also the ones who drive.
Maybe you could find another form of transport?

Dontdeclutterthemagic · 09/01/2024 20:37

@Cosycover the pavements are really muddy. I don't know why because it's a town centre and there isn't really anywhere for it to come from. We have about 8 minutes walking from parking and back. Mud splashes all over my shoes and up my trousers. If its raining there are puddles that run right across the pavements and also drivers splashing from the road.

Did briefly try special school run wellies but looked v odd in town. Tried tucking trousers into boots but they get all crumpled. V frustrating. Willing to hear solutions.

rampagingrobot · 09/01/2024 20:43

Also how can you dislike other parents so much, when you have about a 5min interaction with them?

Maybe I'm unusual but I like it. I like seeing his friends, saying hi to the other parents, planning the occasional play date, watching him smile when he runs out and sees me waiting, meeting the teacher.

We are close to the school and walk which maybe makes it easier, I certainly wouldn't want to drive him to school. Equally there are about 5 schools in cycling distance of us, so we would never need to drive thankfully.

Mothmansknickers · 09/01/2024 20:47

I had my first child at 18. I hated the school run. Back then, I was the youngest parent in the yard and other parents would avoid me. I was so glad when it was over. Twenty years later I had to go through it all again. 😂

Original poster
GaroTheMushroom · 09/01/2024 21:12

Well glad it’s not just me! And I don’t drive we take the bus which I personally think is worse, it’s always crowded, always, never get a seat, have to stand blocking the aisle, have to miss them often as too crowded. The wait for them standing around at the bus stop, the other parents who insist on also getting the bus to go ONE stop. I don’t dislike the other parents well some of them are annoying like the mum of the kid who told my Dd to shut up whilst stood at the bus stop 🤷‍♀️ weren’t even speaking loud and wasn’t talking to them!

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Wooloohooloo · 09/01/2024 21:15

I'm fairly neutral towards it- just one of those things you have to do and crack on with but I've mainly worked full time since having both DC so have never done a full week's worth in 18 years. Maybe it would be a drag if I had to do 10 lots of it.

Wooloohooloo · 09/01/2024 21:16

Sorry 13 years.

Sodie · 09/01/2024 21:17

Hate it and always have. My youngest is year six and I can't wait until I never have to go to a primary school again.

Original poster
GaroTheMushroom · 09/01/2024 21:20

Sodie · 09/01/2024 21:17

Hate it and always have. My youngest is year six and I can't wait until I never have to go to a primary school again.

This is exactly how I feel but my youngest is in year 2 so a long way to go. I can’t wait to never ever go there again. I’m so over the school run.

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Diymesss · 09/01/2024 21:22

I wouldn’t mind it if a) both kids went to the same place - one is still at nursery in the other direction and b) both kids went voluntarily.

And all the stuff to remember! Especially in winter.

AnneLovesGilbert · 09/01/2024 21:23

I really enjoy it but it’s a 5 minute walk away and I like all the parents. Lucky I guess.

Original poster
GaroTheMushroom · 09/01/2024 21:35

I’ve tried to ask my kids to move schools to a closer school as we have one right on our road but both don’t want to! Don’t think I would hate it so much if it was a 2 minute walk. 😒

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Greycottage · 09/01/2024 21:38

I HATE it. Nothing about the other parents etc - they’re all perfectly friendly and normal. I just cannot be on time. School is 15 minute walk away and I physically cannot do it.

My DH took over doing it for me before Christmas. Absolute bliss. Has improved my life 100%. He gets them there on time every day.

We all have different skill sets in life!

Original poster
GaroTheMushroom · 09/01/2024 21:42

Yep I really struggle getting there on time especially with the buses just makes life very hard if we miss one or can’t get on. 4 more years left 😔

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