Each day, my daughter and I pick up my son from kindergarten. I park and we walk the quarter mile (if that) to the gate. We cross the street where the majority of the parents are parked waiting for their children to be released. It’s a giant, segmented earthworm of cars stuck on the pavement and unable to move.
Every day we walk past the same cars (how early do they get there to be in front?!)
I get there just in time to meet Pork Chop’s class at the gate then the three of us turn around and walk back to our car. We walk right past the same stalled cars (who have not moved an inch) and go on our merry way home. From the time I leave the house to the time I get home is about 20 minutes tops. Why wait with the car running in a line that doesn’t move for so long? I just don’t understand.
True, when it’s cold or raining it is kind of a pain to walk to the gate and I could just sit in my car with my phone to amuse me, but then I would be stuck in an unmoving car for a long time with a bored preschooler. And it would be nice on those days when Pea falls asleep during the six minute car ride and I have to carry her to the gate, if she could just sleep in the car.
But for most days it’s not so bad. For the two of us, it has become a ritual. We saunter down the street. She chatters or sings about missing her brother. Skips and laughs as we eagerly wait for him.
Then he sees us from his spot in the kindergartner line, his face radiant if he’s had a good day or glum if he got in trouble (for talking out of turn usually). Then we turn and walk together, with Pea chattering away.
I never knew the afternoons were like this. When I was still working, I was literally the last parent to pick up their child from aftercare. He would be sitting with the after school caregivers waiting for me to zoom in right at 5:59pm. The most stressful time of my day would start right at 5:00pm when I would leave work and fight traffic all the way to the school. I would grab him and we would then race to Pea’s daycare to get there by 6:30pm. I remember when Pork Chop was still an only child waiting for me to get him. He would be so alone. When I had Pea, I was happy that he wouldn’t be the last one at daycare anymore by himself. Then when they started this school year and he moved on to Kindergarten, they both had to be last by themselves.
Now they get to leave first.
I love parent pick up time. It’s such a great part of my day. Why spend that time being a segment in that giant earthworm? Besides, I am terrified of earthworms and my kids just want to get home!
I pick my kids up from afterschool every day. Technically I could get there much earlier than I usually do, but they always get mad at me because they are having fun with their friends, so I tend to take my time or even go home and make dinner before I get them!
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I understand what you mean about the “hurry up and wait” mentality we all have these days. I wish that I had the option to park to get my kids – unfortunately, there isn’t a lot anywhere nearby in which that parents can park… all of the visitor/parent parking at our school is blocked by the carpool lane.
I bet your kids will have some really nice memories of being picked up at school and having a fun walk back to the car.
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Pick-up and drop-off isn’t so bad for Arielle because they have a pretty good system. Or maybe because she’s only in Pre-K and she starts and ends at a different time from the rest of the school and you’ve given me a glimpse of my future nightmare for the next 9 years. Well, 11 if you’re counting Zavier. When she started, picking her up was my FAVORITE part of the day. Seeing her running towards me after an adventurous day of school. Priceless.
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Lol Pea is in Pre-k which is way easier than picking my son up from school. Kindergartners get out five minutes earlier than the rest but it is still a long slow line! If I had to go through it I would probably get there late and just sail through after everyone else.
When I worked full time, I HATED when Malone was the last one to get picked up. I totally understand those feelings you’ve had.
I love picking Malone up from school. We have to park and go inside to meet his class everyday and it is one of my highlights. I love his face when he comes around the corner to see us there!
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Sounds like you’ve got your pick up routine down pat!
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I don’t get in the line either. I park further down like you do. Or I walk if it’s a nice day. We’re pretty close to the school. I can’t fathom waiting in the long car line.
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I used to pick my son up from daycare. As he moved further up in grade, he was one of the oldest still in aftercare. I guess I was one of the only moms that worked in his class. As he got older, someone would pick him up from his private high school. I used to love dropping him off early in the morning and kissing his sweet face good-bye. Time in the car is often “truth-telling” and I would learn so much just by being locked up in the car with him. Those were good times.
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True. There is a different perspective, Sandy! I won’t lie. I’ll probably wait in that line next year when both of them are in school together
I’m a teacher myself so I never get to pick my daughter up from school because I’m always dismissing my own students (my mom gets the pleasure) but on the rare occasion I do get to be there I never wait in the line. Saves so much time.
Stopping by from sits.
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I agree – I get the luxury of getting off an hour before my son gets off school but I work 15 minutes away so I make that earthworm line early on and am one of the first parents, lol. I get to see him skipping happily and just hop into my car. It’s nice that he doesn’t have to wait not because I mind but because I think they feel special when they’re not last. Happy Friday Herchel! -Iva
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