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.

[SauceForTheGander]

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



This will pass

[SauceForTheGander]

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

[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.

[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?

[Timetogetserious]

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

[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 : )))

[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]

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'm intrigued now!

[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?

[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.

[Timetogetserious]

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

[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.