Really, I am.
Because let's be honest, what's so hard about waiting in line to drop off/pick up your child??
Well there is a lot to it you see, it's a whole CARPOOL CULTURE that I have been unaware of-- until this last week.
And it is blatantly obvious: I am a carpool rookie.
For instance, lets start with the hour I leave my house: 7:15 AM.
Some of you may laugh at the time thinking that is no big deal, but OH.MY.WORD. that is so early for us. We ARE early risers but that doesn't mean we are ready and out the door while it's still dark(ish). Getting two kids fed, dressed, packed is time consuming (not to mention making myself semi-presentable).
Once we are outside the door I come to realize QUICKLY how out of the loop I am on rush-hour traffic procedures. It's been over five years since i have participated in such driving madness. Stop and Go. Stop and Go. What would be a 10 or 15 minute drive to school is now 30 minutes. Pulling.my.hair.out. (and biting my tongue so I don't yell at crazy drivers in front of my kids!!)
Once we are on campus there are three different lanes for traffic that weaves in and out of the parking lot to drop your child off. Don't get me wrong, they have got it down to a science at Jonah's school but figuring out where to go, when to stop, when to merge, when to kiss and say good-bye is alot to get down these first days of school.
Oh and maybe I should mention what happened today in carpool line??? Well remember the stop and go I mentioned from rush hour traffic? well, my carsick-prone daughter felt horrible after jonah got out of the car at school and started screaming for a barf bag. Oh yes, I was gridlocked in slowly moving carpool lanes reaching in the back seat and holding a barf bag for my sick daughter.
And that's just drop-off.
Then there's pick-up. On a few days of the week, I pick Jordan up from preschool and have only 30 minutes until Jonah's school lets out so I go sit in the line and wait for 30 minutes-- my car has become my office on wheels. I pop a movie in for Jordan and I read magazines, answer emails, catch up on bible study (which apparently i need to do more of due to my attitude during rush hour traffic:).
now i can totally relate when moms say they live in their car. because now i apparently do too. But you know what? it's worth it.
Seeing him walk in to school each day with a huge smile on his face, melts this mama's heart (you can barely see him in this photo-- and i had to SNEAK taking this because there's a no cell phone policy in CARPOOL LINE).
So yes, carpool: is crazy. And it's making me a little crazy.
But i'll get it (eventually).
11 comments:
Oh that's funny! The 465-driving part would seriously drive me INSANE, esp at that time in the morning! Yikes! I'm so glad to hear that Jonah is loving school, though...that's what's most important! :)
You seem to have it down, today I was at Ricky's school 30 minutes prior to pick up and still was waiting on the street, it is crazy I tell you!!! Hope Jor feels better soon!
we homeschool, so usually we don't have to be up and out so early...but no matter the time, it IS amazing how long it takes to clothe, brush, fix, and pack kiddos into the car. i always lose 12 minutes between saying "get in the car" and looking at the clock as i'm in the driveway. where does the time go???
Great story! It is crazy isn't it. I"m confident you'll have it down in no time though. And I hear you on the 'need to do bible study'. Oh yeah!
Before we know it, they'll be driving to school themselves and we'll want all that craziness back...but now, not so much. Wait, wait and wait some more.
Welcome to the carpool mom club! Our school has strict rules as well amd boy they only let you slip up once! I hope you get settled into a good routine soon!
Man, I feel for you. Hoping it gets better! THis is exactly why I am thankful for a great neighborhood school, none of that craziness!
You'll be a pro in no time Jenni! I actually look forward to that wait time now after school - it's my catalog reading time.
Glad your guy is enjoying school!
I love the bus! And now, after hearing your story, I love the bus even more! ;)
This is hilarious! I can se carpool being a VERY new chapter in mommyhood. You'll rock at it!
So funny! I felt the same way the one single day I did it and from now on I park and walk inside to get him. If I get there early enough I can get out with him before the true insanity starts with car pool cars. I waited and waited the other day in the car pool line and watched with fascination the drill they have in place. Older kids, wearing vest, setting out cones, a teacher with one of those things police yell on calling out names. Ugh, not for this mama again! Yesterday a man parked his car right behind me and trapped me in with kids loaded and ready to go in the car! Luckily the man in front of me left and I was able to pull through. It's just madness. Cars are lined up all the way down the school drive and out into the roadway. hang in there - sounds like you are a smart mama and have figured out how to make the best of it!
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