How much do you share school runs with other parents?

[legacy]

Just wondered why parents don't seem to do this more? Is it preference (i.e. want to be at the school for little Johnny coming out...) or logistics (e.g. ballet after school).

DH & I both work from home and would be able to claw back a couple of hours a week if we could share some of the school runs.

There are 4 families in our street alone with kids in the same school, and many more nearby?

Personally, I'm a childminder, so I'm the one that always has to be there, but even if I wasn't, I enjoy the social aspect of it anyway!

I don't because it's rather pointless - I live next door to the school

Am trying to organise a walking bus at the moment - school has got funding from the council for hi vis jackets and insurance. Need to be strict ratios for an official walking bus, but I do the odd informal swap with friends, and a regular one where one of us has the boys, while the opther takes their younger sisters to ballet. Is a good time saver I agree.

Do you mean literally the school run - or do you mean keeping after school for a while?

We do the latter on a friday - and occasionally have play dates. We used to do the latter daily, but DS wanted his own space.

I like going up to school for the social aspect

However I also like the fact that many many people pass by my house on the way to school so if needed I can chuck children out at them, or ask them to drop off on way home

Also like the fact they 'pop in for coffee' which lasts a long time generally

don't do a regular thing though

agree you should try to set up a walking bus

We are just a bit too far for walking unfortunately.

It just strikes me as silly when I see us all reversing out of our driveways and following each other to school, parking, and then coming back again? But then I suppose some of it is because we mostly have 2 kids each, and only 5 seater cars, and I think most people are uncomfortable about putting a child in the front seat?

I don't this year.

Last year DD was picked up my a friend's mum every Tuesday but only because I work later that day.

This year I am doing the school run (ddifferent school but only 5 min drive away from DD's school) for another mum (friend) to avoid childcare issues.

I don't live near most of the girls in DD's class so sharing school run is not practical.

Besides both Dh and I quite like the chance to do the school run. This year I do 2 morning drops and 4 afternoon pick ups, DH does 3 morning drops and 1 afternoon pickup.

I like the chance in a morning to chat to her teacher, even if just a hello, and being able to see the work books they have on the cupboard outside the classroom - has examples of their work, with teacher comments/house points, etc. and art work.

In the afternoon it is a chance to chat to parents whilst we wait which has been good for the social side of school.

DS2 has just started school, so I want to collect him myself at the moent anyway, but tbh I think I would anyway. I enjoy our little walk to school together. It's a nice time to chat. I also really can't be bothered with hassle of being responsible for other children (I have a 2 yr old as well and so need to keep an eye on him constantly)

Our next door neighbours children also attend the same school and my neighbour and I did actually share the nursery run, but we did have to drive there. In that case it did seem daft for us both to get into our cars and drive to the smae place from the same driveway!

I obviously do collect my neighbours children if she needs me too and vice versa, but I have deliberately decided not to share the school run. It's only a 5 minute walk up the hill, it gives me a little extra exercise and gives DS3 a good run twice a day (he needs it!)

We have just moved (school and house) so do not really know who lives near usyet. Would quite like to share school run, but I imagine it can be a bit 'tying' - if I am laet leaving it is just us late for school, not somoeone else's child!

Used to collect a friend's child once a week but the dc's got a bit fed up of the same person always home so they got a bit fractious and difficult ...

i think as they get older it may well be more feasible, but then from Yr 5 they can go on the school bus anyway

i'm a big advocate of sharing school runs - always have. Madness that you don't share - just think how much more environmentally firendly it would be and just how much less traffic there would be.

Can you get your school to coordinate a car share scheme?

I would definitely do this if anyone lived remotely near us. But then I'd probably need a bigger car too as I could only fit in one extra child.

I wanted to but the other parent (next door neighbour with DS in same class as my DS last 4 years) didn't "want to be tied down".

Just as well as our boys often don't get along & I can't stand the woman, atm.

I don't share the school run with other parents but my Mum often collects my dd from school if I'm working. I enjoy it when I can get there.

Oh and we walk both ways .

I never share school runs and would not really want to by choice. I dont like the responcibility of other peoples children and love sending mine off in a peaceful manner with all my attention. I just like things the way they are, not saying I wouldnt do someone a favour or anything. I also like to have my own freedom. If I want to walk I can,if dp needs the car he can and no one else to worry over.