The problem lies in the afternoon pick up which is an absolute cluster F of epic proportions. School lets out at approximately 310pm. If I want to get the Smart Boys picked up and home by DINNER TIME I have to get out to the school by 230pm, line up (as if a funeral procession,) and patiently wait. I bring my water, protein bar, iPad, and phone to keep my busy and hydrated. Some days aren't so bad but others feel like time will never move on.
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| Minus flashing lights and Hearse. |
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| Seems Legit... |
Smart Boys enter the vehicle, usually as slow as possible. The door slams and we're off. Another school day complete! BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!! I still have to navigate my way out of the parking lot. This involves a bit of hell/toe action, evasive maneuvering, and sometimes standing on brakes. I'm not entirely sure where these parents got their driver's licenses but I'm quite sure it was a Cracker Jack box. We have to make the mad dash home, 7 miles of pure adrenaline. What adrenaline rush doesn't include being tailgated by the Cracker Jack parade?
Enter the house. As I rush to the latrine the boys are busy depositing their backpacks, papers, jackets, and shoes where ever they'd like usually in a direct path of walking. Homework, check homework, start dinner, eat dinner, do dishes, and so on. /End Scene.
Moral of the story? Thank your damn bus driver! Those of you who are fortunate enough to have bus services, ENJOY IT! That and I'll be applying for a chauffeur license. Doesn't it suck that I can't put this driving service on a resume detailing my safe driving skills all while volunteering?! Ah the endless joys of Motherhood. =)
I feel your pain - we lost busing after 4 months into school when Ella was in kindergarten. We thankfully have a parking lot in which parent must "back in" to the parking spots so no unsuspecting kids get run over by a backing vehicle. Its appalling how many people cannot properly back their vehicle into a nice wide parking spot. However, this does help us dispatch from the school must faster than your procession style. There's no waiting on other people - once the kids are in, you go go go as quickly as safely possible to beat the rush to the street. LOL I have to get there at least 20 minutes early to get a parking spot anywhere near the school and I always go with a drink, snack, and book or kindle in hand. Fun times isn't it? I do find that I have read more books the last year than ever before...trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel here ;)
ReplyDelete--Shannon
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who goes through this process. I do wish that our school was more organized with this. You'd think I'd think of plenty of ideas while sitting out there to blog about, lol! I read, make calls in quiet, play games, think about how much I dislike sitting there...lol. All for the kiddos, that's the light at the end of the tunnel!
DeleteI have three kids in three different schools. While none of my pick-ups are as bad as yours they all SUCK. Why is this so difficult to plan and execute?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why it's so difficult to make this easier for everyone. I guess I was spoiled growing up in a small town where I walked to school or rode the bus for high school. Furthermore, if parents had to come and get us they just parked in the parking lot and we walked to the car. Ahhh, sometimes things are too complicated.
DeleteThanks for the follow and I've returned the favor! =)
ReplyDeleteI hate hate hate the school parking lot. Its dangerous, and makes me want to drink. My sympathies!
ReplyDeleteI’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award! I know you haven’t posted much recently (I went through a couple month hiatus recently) but when you have its great and I love reading! The details are on my blog today, while this award promotes readership it can be a bit like chain mail, so it’s cool if you don’t want to “accept” it. :)
The school parking lot is my LEAST favorite place of all time. At least I only have drop off duty.. my wife does clean up.
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