Ah, it’s back to school time! That means long lines in car pick up! But it doesn’t have to be – you can carpool. Yes, carpool with your kids!
I did it last year with a neighbor. Both children were in VPK, which is Florida’s Pre-K. We talked about it before school even got started and we each bought an extra car pass. The pass had our child’s name and teacher on it. One pass just had my daughter and the other included both my daughter and her friend. They each had the same teacher so that made it easy too. We would each take our child to school in the morning. Then every other week we would pick up. The children went to school M, W, F from 8:45 – 2:45. It was wonderful when it was not my week. I got an extra hour to get things done.
So….how to have fun carpooling.
Conversation – I always asked each child how their day was. Sometimes I would ask what they ate for lunch or how many times they got to go out to play. Then I would sit and listen to their conversations. They could be very interesting those two.
Music!! We are a music family but some of the music we listen to is not appropriate for all children. ( Sorry – I love Pink!) However I have several kid friendly CD’s to listen to. We had gotten out of the habit of listening to them so it was fun for my daughter to get to hear them again.
Bring a snack! Both myself and the other mom always brought a snack and drink. The kids really looked forward to a little treat and were forever thirsty!
Stop for treats – Once and awhile, I or the other mom would take the kids to McDonald’s for a McFlurry! The kids loved the occasional treat and it gave the other mom another 20 minutes of extra time. I even stopped at the store a few times for last minutes groceries and the kids would get a cookie. The other mom would stop and get candy and drinks on occasion.
It was very easy to carpool with only one other child. This year they ride the bus, but next year they will be walking. Hopefully we can do a walkpooling…is that a word??
Do you carpool? How was your experience?
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I’ve never participated in a carpool but I think the idea of treats would definitely go over well!
Nope, never did as a child or now with my own. Although, it has crossed my mind. 🙂
Those are great ideas. I always ask how the day was… I usually hear, “I don’t remember” (never mind that they left the school 2 minutes earlier).
We do love music – we have the Truck Tunes CD and the kids love it. It makes me laugh because the sound is very similar to the 80s music I grew up with. I never knew a song about an excavator could be soooo dramatic… but toss in a synthesizer, and anything can be dramatic, I guess. 😀
I also make sure to take a healthy snack (carrot sticks, celery sticks, etc.) because the kids are always starving when I pick them up, so they will eat anything!
When our daughter was in her first school we carpooled with a family a couple of doors down. They dropped the girls off in the morning (which I loved because I didn’t have to get dressed at 8:15 AM LOL!), and I picked them up in the afternoon.
Only did a carpool in high school with friends. It was pretty much a disaster! LOL LOVE those moustaches… and their expressions!!!
We did a carpool in college. I hated every minute of it because I had to ride with someone who was always late and I had no leeway for my 8 o’clock class. I would have been happy to ride with someone who was on time. 🙂
I only drive my two kids to school, but we always have fun conversations! We look forward to it every school morning!
I pick up my son and his friend from school and they have a blast. It’s nice to carpool and save on expenses.
I carpooled when the kids were in middle school. It worked out really well. In fact, I don’t think I had one problem ever!
There are so many benefits to carpooling, and I love ‘staches, just saying 🙂
I never carpooled with anyone but I think it’s a great idea if it’s feasible for your family. 🙂
you sound like a great carpool mom! Sadly MY memories of carpooling were not fun so clearly some moms out there (or more likely grandmas by now! LOL) should read this post! 🙂
I am lucky and live right behind my school. I get to save on gas by walking the kids to school.
Great tips though! 🙂
Fun! I don’t carpool this year because my son’s school is super close & the pickup lane only takes 2 minutes since preschoolers have a separate one. I’d be wiling to carpool next year, but I’ll have a baby in the backseat too so not sure I can fit another kid.
I want in on a moustache carpool!! I end up bringing a Brownie or 2 home from meetings each time my troop meets and that’s as close to carpool as I get. I love it. Hearing the kids be all silly and I get REAL glimpses from the kids perspective on their days!
Now that my kids are in school, I will keep these tips in mind. Carpooling just might be a valuable tool for us!
I love it. We usually do not have a car pool, but this is the kind I would love to be in.
I didn’t carpool as a kid as I would walk to school but with a friend as well so it was always nice 🙂 x
I love the idea of carpooling. You have great ideas for keeping them busy!
I don’t but man would it ever make my life easier!
I lived out in the country so I always had to take a bus to school as a kid.
We do not carpool, but I did when I was a kid with my best friend. I loved those rides!
Carpooling car be fun!!! Love your ideas too!
Haha love the mustaches! Super cute!
We do not carpool but those are some great tips.