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MNHQ

Talk to Allianz about school run stress and you could win a £250 John Lewis voucher NOW CLOSED

309 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 29/08/2014 12:27

The team at Allianz would like to hear about Mumsnetters' experiences with school run stress,

Here's what Allianz have to say: "The school run is an important component of every day family life and we are keen to help families across the UK make the process as enjoyable as possible."

So, which factors cause the highest stress levels on the school run? Maybe it starts with getting everyone out of bed on time? Or perhaps it's getting everyone out of the house on time?
Do you have any tips for making the school run a smoother and less stressful experience? If a stressful school run is unavoidable, how does it affect the rest of your day?

Whatever your experiences of school run stress, Allianz would love to hear about it.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £250 John Lewis voucher.

Please note your comments may be included on Allianz's social media channels, and possibly elsewhere, so please only post if you're comfortable with this.

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

OP posts:
pattiesplum · 06/09/2014 16:49

Little stress for me as school is only a hundred yards walk and children look out and see friends going to school and usually ultra keen to join them.

I know I am lucky!

notnowbernard · 06/09/2014 16:55

Actually getting out of the door is stressful : the 'final push', if you like

It seems that the "shoes and coats" call triggers the children into random chaos and they cease to function

The walk clears the air but dealing with errant pre-schooler running riot in the playground whist trying to get the others sorted drives me a bit batty

sugar1975 · 06/09/2014 17:45

Try not to stress! I have spent many a morning in doing so but don't let it happen to you. Stick to a routine, stay calm, smile and the stressful school run will become a thing of the past!

alabaster002 · 06/09/2014 17:50

Best to let them walk - it's healthier, better for the environment and allows them to socialise.

mooota1514 · 06/09/2014 18:03

The school run here isn't too stressful mainly because we're only a 5 minute walk from school, I don't work and also because I'm naturally a morning person. If any of that changed it would be a different story!

I also get as much sorted the night before as possible. I also get up an hour and a half before we need to leave so there's time for the children to wake up and for me to do a few chores before we leave.

If it all gets too much a bit of school gate chat and a coffee usually sorts it out.

Oldbiddywilkins · 06/09/2014 18:43

Stupid parents parking in stupid and dangerous places arrrggghhhhh. It drives me mad. Especially those who live just around the corner!

VictoriaSt · 06/09/2014 18:58

the worst thing about the school run is the parents who apparently haven't heard of the highway code. i get REALLY angry when i see parents having no concern for the children walking into school - i see cars parked on double yellow lines, straddling the pavement and all sorts. really winds me up :/

Upandatem · 06/09/2014 19:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maiyakat · 06/09/2014 19:10

Nursery run - we have to leave early so have clothes laid out the night before. Everything happens in military style timing - no time for DD to cause any chaos before we leave! Thankfully at that time parking is ok; an hour later it's a nightmare as 2 schools and 3 nurseries in a very small area, none of which have parking.

mummsie72 · 06/09/2014 19:45

Discuss at teatime what is needed the following day and sort it all out straight after tea. Clothes, books/projects in bags ready, lunches in fridge.

Alarm set for 20 mins before kids for a quiet cup of tea whilst you sort their breakfasts. If possible arrange caterpillar walk to school with neighbours,if driving is a must leave house with 15 minute to spare allows for holdups. Drop off safely and legally to set a good example for the future.

stacie28 · 06/09/2014 19:47

No matter what time we are up and ready in the morning the last 10 mins is always a hectic stress to get out of the door :o

jelliebelly · 06/09/2014 19:58

Getting up is ok it's getting out of the house that's the problem! For the start of term this time around we have written a morning to do list and pinned it up in the kitchen.. With 2 adults getting ready for work and 2 children for school it is always chaotic - we haven't been late yet though Smile

angelabbie123 · 06/09/2014 20:14

getting half way down the road when my son reminds me its PE day!!

ilovemovies · 06/09/2014 20:19

The school run isn't too stressful as everyone sorts out their own bags and food is made the night before. The main stressful part is getting everyone out of the house on time as you always get the oh I forgot something moment just as you leave!

feefeegabor · 06/09/2014 21:23

I like taking my daughter to school as we get to have a chat in the car but I really hate the afternoon pick up. I hate that those other parents running late feel they can park on double yellow lines or even on the pavement - it makes it very difficult for buses to get past and for children to walk past safely. It really makes my bloody boil!

chezvic · 06/09/2014 21:26

I have to be mega organised - I get everything ready the night before, my clothes, her clothes, our lunch bags etc and then in the morning its just get ready and go. We have a quick breakfast that I know she'll eat then that's one less stress. We don't live far from school so we walk rather than firstly getting stuck in traffic and then getting stressed out trying to park up. The walk to school gives us 15 minutes to chill out and have a nice chat.

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 06/09/2014 22:04

Which factors cause the highest stress levels on the school run?
If walking to school, it's getting out of the house on time with children all wearing their own clothes the right way up/right way out and with a coat on. If driving then the number one cause of frustration is other drivers! There was one time when the road to the school was blocked by an accident, clearly we couldn't turn down it but a parent up ahead was determined to wait until they could turn down the road. there was also some road workers up ahead, and eventually one of them stood in the middle of the road and waved the stubborn parent on and unclogged the traffic that was backed up both ways for several blocks!

Maybe it starts with getting everyone out of bed on time?
Yes, that is a big issue with the children. I'm the only natural early riser of the family, so it is my job to back up the alarm clocks!

Or perhaps it's getting everyone out of the house on time?
You know the old adage that the closer the child lives to the school, the later they will be. We've moved around quite a bit and it has certainly been true for us. Blush

Do you have any tips for making the school run a smoother and less stressful experience?
Practise times tables and spellings along the way.
Pick secondary schools which mean that children can get themselves to school and home again without a lift every day!

If a stressful school run is unavoidable, how does it affect the rest of your day?
Worse things happen at sea, I'd get a hot drink and a few minutes to myself to relax and put it behind me.

GillianY1 · 06/09/2014 22:06

I have a 6 year old and a 9 month old so getting them up and out for school in the morning is always a stress. Wouldn't be so bad if my 6 yea old would hurry up and eat his breakfast and get himself ready, but hes always in a daydream in the morning (not a morning person like his mum!!) and I have to always remind him to keep eating and get him dressed. We always make it on time but its always a rush to get there.

arat · 06/09/2014 22:18

Getting self & the kids ready is usually just about OK. The most stressful bit is the competitive mums on the school run (especially the pm pick-up when you can't escape while waiting on the playground).

tiddles12 · 06/09/2014 22:41

It's a nightmare- kids are never read on time, and then I have to park miles away as I get caught in the school traffic jam.

gk6277 · 06/09/2014 22:51

Traffic, Parents parking stupidly in daft places near school, lost school letters, cookery lesson ingredients at short notice, stressful, but I love it all !

gamerwidow · 06/09/2014 23:00

Get everything ready the night before and make sure you give yourself enough time in the morning.
I'd rather get to school 15/20 minutes early and hang about for a bit then leave everything to the last minute and have a mad rush.

thewomaninwhite · 06/09/2014 23:15

I am just about to start the school run, DD is off to school next week. I aim to be organised and sort bags, uniform etc the night before. DD will be having dinners which will help.

It's being organised and sticking to schedules. Well, so I think in my naive state at present.

BubblingBlancmange · 06/09/2014 23:22

I've been reading the tips on this thread with interest. DS1 started school this week. 2 days in and we've cut it fine arriving both days (Day 1: DS2 insisted on walking, Day 2: I forgot the book bag - I already know I'm not going to have a good relationship with that blummin book bag). On the 2nd day I got pick up time wrong and arrived 15 mins late. Poor boy was sat surrounded by teachers reassuring him that 'mummy is on her way'. What did he say? 'My mummy is always last'. Blush

LizB62 · 07/09/2014 00:44

Where I live, the catchment areas are pretty small, so I'm continually amazed at the number of parents who drop their children off instead of walking them to school.... Surely with small catchment areas, everyone must live close to school ? No - shock horror !
The school run madness round our way is parents parking across driveways, blocking roads and even reversing into the school entrance (which is "in" only, i.e. one way) and nearly running other people's children over.... Madness