School run is a nightmare

[Homedesign123]

I'm having such a hard time with the school run at the moment and I'm at my wits end.

basically I have a 9yo son a 4yo daughter and an almost 2 yo daughter, my 4yo is autistic with similar development and understand to my 2 yo

I've for a side by side double buggy but my 4yo has started to kick the little one and pull her hair, so I bought a buggy board and a single stroller to get around more safely, For the school run which is a 40 minute walk each way I have 1 of my girls in the buggy I alternate it depending on who needs it more at the time (who's tired)

and one on the buggy board with a wrist strap so they don't run into the road if we stop, well it started off ok but it's becoming a nightmare, Who ever is on the buggy board gets off every two seconds even if it's moving, my 4yo turns around and climbs my body untill I'm carrying her but as it's a two handled stroller you can't push it one handed, my backs broken from lugging it up hills, I sat on a bench on the way home today and cried out if exhaustion and frustration. WWYD? In my position, driving is coming along I'm having lessons but it's not a fast solution to just drive

E cargo bike?

Can you get a front and behind buggy and have 4yo in front seat?

Have a look at charities such as new life or family fund.

You may be able to get a specialised buggy funded that's designed for this type of conundrum!

It'd be too exspensive we're looking at about £5 a day for myself and my son and it's not a gaureentee to be able to get the buggy on

Can the 9 year old help?

Couple of ideas. I made a hand hold strap for the buggy (just a loop that hooped on) and would teach my eldest (who was a bolter with challenging behaviour - now waiting for an ASD diagnosis) to hold that, combined with backpack reins that I slotted my wrist through before holding the buggy. Worked much better than trying to enforce "hold my hand" because DD1 is an independent and contrary bugger.

Or we used to have an old Nipper double - which had quite a high barrier between the two seats reducing the ability to whomp your sibling in transit. Or an old Phil and Teds would do the same as you could pop the eldest on top where there's no chance of kicking their sibling, and then move the younger one up for the return trip.

And you have my utmost respect getting all that bunch up and down that distance with big hills multiple times a day! My back hurt reading it!

Surely there’s a weekly or monthly pass though? I couldn’t handle all that hassle and time wasting @Homedesign123 ans I know that’s just my opinion but time is precious. Either that or find a school nearer in my opinion, I’m all for an easy life if possible.

I did look at moving my son to the school that's right next to our house but they had no space and they said no at consultation for our daughter and have no specialist provision. I have to look at the bright side it's good to get kids out for walks in nature and our route goes through the woods, we often stop at the park or library on the way home too, it's not all bad and it won't be forever I just lost it today

Definitely enquire about school transport

Can your husband help?

Anyone who casually remarks “balance bikes are great”

have clearly never been stuck with a tantrumming toddler pancaked on the road, and having to lift the toddler, carry the bike and push the baby in the pram.

He's working at school times

In my local authority we qualify for transport at 2 miles cut off. This might be impacted if its not your catchment school though. Definitely ask.

basically we lived closer when my son started reception, then when he was in year 3 we moved and bought this house, at the time my son was unhappy in school (being bullied) so we tried to get him into the school near the house, unfortunately there was no space but now he dosnt wasn't to move as he has a lovely group of friends.

Ive fought hard to get my daughters EHCP over turned to specialist from mainstream, and fought even harder to get her one of only 6 special provision places in that school. There's only 2 schools in my town with specialist provisions it's been a mission and a half so I'm happy to do the walking as I know they're both gonna be happy there. It's not the walking it's the stopping every 2 second to get everyone back to where they should be, it took me an hour to get home today because I had to keep stopping

There is a lady near me who has a hybrid electric bike that has two bench like seats at the back. It's a three wheeler a bit like a small tuc tuc. It's quite nice. She uses the electric to get up hills and it charges by her cycling on the flat bits. Her dc look so content in the back and she seems to get about so easily.
Maybe a longer term option

For people interested in cargo bikes for transporting kids and kit, have a read of this page on a website dedicated to cycling with/for kids:

www.cyclesprog.co.uk/cargo-bikes/what-type-of-cargo-bike-is-best-for-my-family/