Three school runs and so so fed up : ((

[Timetogetserious]

I'm so fed up tonight. I have five children. Three are at different schools all over town. I am managing in the morning because one of the schools lets me use the school grounds to park and drop off. It's hard work but it works.

But the evening is a disaster. First I have to drive to the infants. Put baby in sling and walk toddler 5 minutes to the school. Then 5 minutes back to the car. Then all back in and off to second school. Park up, baby back in sling, wake up toddler who has now fallen asleep and has a tantrum. Walk to second school for second child. Back to the car with screaming toddler and often crying baby by now. All back in car. Drive 5 minutes home and drop off eldest because she can't fit in the car. Back in and drive 10 minutes to pick up eldest at third school. By this time youngest children are usually grumpy. The reason I am so fed up is that the school have been lovely to let me park in the grounds in the morning. It helps enormously as I don't have to get the little ones out of the car. But tonight with the two youngest fast asleep I buzzed and asked if I could do the same as in the morning. They said only today but I will have to always park 5 minutes away in future. They said lots of parents have children at different schools. I do understand that but three schools with five children including a baby and toddler. And having to park up twice and wake them up? If I could park up in the school in the afternoon they could carry on sleeping.

I have only just put my daughter in the third school this week after a school appeal failed. But I just don't think I can do this every day. My kids are crying too much and I am frazzled. Am I being unreasonable to think they might allow me to park in the grounds. All my children are sitting at home as I write crying from it all. I think I am going to take her out tomorrow.

[Xihha]

so at least things will get easier after the summer, I know some schools go on study leave this week so there may well be a local teenager who'd like to earn a bit of money babysitting between now and the summer holidays.

[Timetogetserious]

Something similar to that. I should be able to drive the family vehicle in September : ))

[Xihha]

Is your car issue something to do with not having been driving long enough? My big brother still lives with my parents and ends up doing 2 trips when taking the kids anywhere as Dad uses a minibus but big bro can't drive it yet.

If so, have you got long til you can drive it? I'm just thinking it might be easier to find someone who can help if you're able to say it's only for however long til you can drive the bigger vehicle.

[RandomMess]

What a nightmare.

Could you afford a mothers help? Could you afford any sort of care to help out around picking up time? Even a cab to pick up the middle one and drop at the third school so you could collect them both from there?

Def stay on the waiting lists at all the schools!!

Can you find a primary school with spaces for all of them further away?

[AmberTheCat]

I'm intrigued now!

[Timetogetserious]

Ha ha. Amberthecat, yes. I have thought of this. It's complicated further but I don't want to oust myself. Let's just say I am not able to drive the larger vehicle just yet. Very evasive. But that's how it is.

[AmberTheCat]

I can't believe this isn't something you've already thought of, but I'll ask it anyway - can you and dh not swap cars?

[Timetogetserious]

Dd is left for 13 minutes once a day. She's very mature. That really is not a problem : )). Thanks for your concern though. You are quite right, not having a car to fit our family in would certainly be totally ridiculous!!! We live in style and comfort at the weekend : )))

[Timetogetserious]

We have a bigger vehicle but it is not available to me during the school day. Dh needs it.

[Unexpected]

But surely it's not just school which is a problem? How on earth do you ever go anywhere if you can't fit all your children in the car? I am assuming you have only just started leaving the 7 year old home alone but I just don't think that can be a long-term (or even medium term) solution. What kind of guidance were you given that told you this was ok?

[mammadiggingdeep]

I think you should Ask around...if you were a mum in my dc's school and I lived near you/ passed by, I'd certainly be happy to drop your child off. I'm sure plenty ofums would be glad to help.

[SauceForTheGander]

Sorry - loads of typos - it's v. Late

[SauceForTheGander]

To explain why you're late / LEA decision to school your DCs separately.



This will pass

[SauceForTheGander]

Yes some local MN sites are busy and friendly do your's might be useful.

Also Facebook have parenting groups so you might find done one who can help with school runs.

Everything feels like shit when you've got a teeny baby and not sleeping. Don't make any major decisions about removing DCs from school just yet - especially if they are happy.

I'd be contacting all heads for a 1:1 to ex

[MidniteScribbler]

Who is looking after your child when you are 20-25 minutes late every day?

[Timetogetserious]

Hi Chicovore, yes I am leaving her for the last bit - I'm out for about 13 mins. She has my phone number and is a very mature girl. She's fine. I did a lot of thinking and sought guidance re the rules here. Where we live it's fine. I don't think it's allowed in the States. Each child is very different.

Today was better. I did as you suggested and took the pram. I put little one in the sling and toddler in pram, one hand on both. Got to school 2 25 mins late but I refuse to get stressed anymore!!

[Chocovore]

Sounds like a nightmare and. Hope some other parents can help you out. I know I would be only too happy to help. But, did you say you are leaving your 7yr old home alone? How long is this for? I wouldn't be comfortable with that I'm afraid and worry you coukd get into trouble for it.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

Have you asked the council if there's a school near you with spaces for all the children. Even if it's a drive away it would be easier to do one longer school run than 3 separate ones I think...

[QuiteQuietly]

Timetogetserious Just under 2 miles as the crow flies, or walking route? I think school transport is measured by walking route, which is probably not a direct straight line from school to your house. Worth measuring.

It may also be worth contacting EWO at your council to see if they can help. If your DC are being late for school regularly, and perhaps (ahem) even run a risk of not making it in due to nightmarish school run chaos, then they may be able to assist with something. At our last school, a few persistant offenders were given free breakfast club in order to try and get the kids in school on time and one got a space on a school transport bus even though living fairly nearby. Remember schools are penalised for absence and lateness - the system (in theory) won't want you to fail.

Enjoy your long weekend!

[AWombWithoutARoof]

It's throwing money at the problem, but what about getting a bigger car, so at least one child doesn't need to get out? Rather drastic, but would it help?

Maybe when you've settled in a bit more a few of you could get together and organise a walking bus, with parents taking it in turns?

[BitOutOfPractice]

OP I feel exhausted just reading your posts. It sounds nightnarish!

How about ringing the LEA, explaining the situation and asking if there's any help / solutions they could offer. In my experience they are really helpful and at the end of the say they want yor kids on time in school and if that's just physically impossible, they may be able to help

Have you got names down on the waiting lists for all the schools fr all the kids?

I hope you get something sorted

[AmberTheCat]

You sound to me like you're achieving a huge amount with your days, especially with a newborn. Hats off to you. Enjoy every minute of the bank holiday!

[Timetogetserious]

Thanks for posting. They are under 2 miles; one only just. But all in different directions : /. I'm ok, feeling ok with my lot today. Just feel like I achieve nothing with my days. But I'm sure I'm not alone in that!!!

[Spindelina]

Just checking... are the schools that your 4yo and 7yo are at within 2 miles (by the shortest safe walking route) of your house? You say they are 40 minutes' walk, which depending on how fast you walk might be more than 2 miles.

If it is more that 2 miles to either of those schools (or 3 miles for the 8yo), get on to the LEA and claim the transport which they should be providing for you.