Most of us are into the groove with this new school year by now. A big shout out and love to those of us (me included) who are still struggling to get everyone out of the door and to school on-time. We will get there eventually!
Beyond the morning rush, there is one thing about the school day that will always be a struggle for me, and is never met with excitement when I talk to other parents about it either… that is, the afternoon car pick up line.
[insert scary dreadful music]
It is part of the “it is what it is” stage that comes with having school age children. We can’t really change it, but it’s my hope that these tips will make the experience suck less for you:
1. Bring a Non-alcoholic Beverage and/or Snack of Your Choice
There is absolutely nothing worse than being hangry while you are waiting. Or thirsty! I like to switch up between iced coffee, iced tea, and sparkling water. It’s still too hot for warm drinks right now – I tried and almost melted, even with the AC on max. I spend some of my time in the pick up line dreaming of cooler weather, when I’ll be able to have the windows down to coax a slight breeze past the warm beverage in my hand. Join me with a mindful moment, here: eyes closed, inhale/exhale “soooooooon.”
Bonus: eating your snack before your kids get into the car means you don’t have to share.
2. Listen to What You’d Like to Listen To
Fill in the blank! The sky is the limit with your favorite, non-child friendly, music, audiobooks and Podcasts. There’s also absolutely no shame if you want to blast your favorite Disney soundtrack and have a singalong, without critiques from your kids.
Did you know Alamo City Moms has a podcast?
3. Call a Friend
Chances are they may be in the car pick up line too! Also a great time to call a neighbor, colleague, or relative. Take the opportunity to have a chat with anyone you might enjoy speaking to – without your children’s soundtrack in the background.
4. Enjoy the Silence
Full disclosure, I totally sometimes just sit in the quiet while I wait. With 4 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats and a husband, there is literally always some type of noise going on in my house. Sometimes it’s nice to just relax in the silence – and not worry that the “silence” is happening simply because someone is getting into mischief.
5. Don’t Forget to Stretch
Sitting in the car is rough on our bodies. Think of the tips you might already know from taking a road trip! Gentle stretches with your neck, wrists and hands can really help avoid stiffness while you are idling. When you get home, taking the time to do some gentle stretches of the back and legs can help – before you start it all over again the next day.
A few bonus tips for siblings tagging along:
6. Pack Their Favorites
If you’ve got little ones in the car, drinks, snacks, toys, books, and devices can keep them happy and content (and whine-free) while you wait in line.
7. One on One Time
If you have multiple children at different campuses, the pick-up line can be a wonderful opportunity to have one-on-one conversations. I pick up my 6th grader first, and really cherish the time we get to chat together without distractions and interruptions. They also love having the opportunity to pick out the music we listen to. It really can be the simple things that matter for our older kids.
I always have a little celebratory dance and 10 bonus points for the day when my 4 year old takes a nap during pick up! There is no rhyme or reason for the days they nap or not, so I celebrate the wins when I can!
8. Be Patient
Don’t forget to bring your patience in the car line too. It’s the absolute worst when people start honking and/or yelling at teachers, admin staff, or other families. Pay attention and listen to your school’s pick up instructions. We are all doing our best to get our kids home safely. Lastly, don’t forget to slow down in the school zones!
Feel free to share this post with other parents, family members, friends, or anyone else you know who experiences the joy of the after school car pick up line(s). As the school year progresses, I hope we can all enjoy the time we spend picking up our kids at the end of the day – or, at the very least, make the experience a little less sucky.
