Driving 3 to 7… how are you handling it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

Same. I thought it too and then came high school. Would you tell them they can’t join the high school sports team? Practices have been at random times all of August, during the workday or evening. Preseason practice was in June and July. No, he can’t bike there with all of the equipment and it’s far. It will be easier once school starts and we only have to pick up since practice is after school.

It complicates things because I still have a child in elementary who plays rec sports. This means 1-2 practices in the evening and a game. That’s not over scheduled but it can seem like a lot of driving to drop off at the field or gym, go to the HS to pick up, go back to the field of gym to pick up. I can’t put the younger one in an Uber yet. We really try to carpool and all of us are counting the days until my oldest can drive.

I'm sure your son could probably bike to practice. They make specialized sports backpacks for transporting equipment (rackets, sticks, shoes, outfits, etc.) via bicycle. If you are talking about football pads or something, then you can store those inside your school. Contact the athletic director for a sports locker. What is too far? My kids biked to practices that were anywhere from 2 miles to 7 miles. Just consider it extra conditioning.

[Anonymous]

we kept our nanny until our oldest could drive. That 3-7pm time frame is tough!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 12 to 16 and there are so many places they need to be after school and camp—the driving is killing us! How do other people handle it? Before the pandemic we had a nanny but she quit and I’m now sure we can find a nanny for a bunch of teenagers for 3-7 at night. We carpool when we can but it’s still a lot.

Fairfax Connector bus. Free for MS and HS kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 12 to 16 and there are so many places they need to be after school and camp—the driving is killing us! How do other people handle it? Before the pandemic we had a nanny but she quit and I’m now sure we can find a nanny for a bunch of teenagers for 3-7 at night. We carpool when we can but it’s still a lot.

We cut back on activities. Not a great solution for you but, worked for us!

[Anonymous]

Guessing none of you have a kid who does travel sports. We spend 5 days a week driving them directly from school to practice (20 miles away, so not bikeable!) all year round, adding in a second competitive sport in the winter just to make it fun.

Yes it's crazy. Yes we spend lots of time in the car. How we make it work: 1) Bring computer everywhere we go; 2) Work at nearest Starbucks during practice; 3) flexible schedules (we are both professors); 4) only have 1 kid.

We all make our choices. The extra time I get to spend with my teen, and the joy we all get from watching him play, is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one of the many joys of walkability. The kids walk, bike or metro.

That’s ridiculous. There are very few high school, homes, and sports fields all within close walking distance unless all you do is at the high school and THAT is close to your house.

Walkability encompasses biking and public transit such as bus or subway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one of the many joys of walkability. The kids walk, bike or metro.

Great. Clearly this helps OP. Glad you gave your input.

I don't understand why public transportation is out of consideration

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one of the many joys of walkability. The kids walk, bike or metro.

Great. Clearly this helps OP. Glad you gave your input.

I don't understand why public transportation is out of consideration

Then you’re dense. Most communities don’t have a network of public transport. For those that do, it takes several connections - walk-metro-bus-walk, for example. Why would anyone spend that kind of time instead of driving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

Same. I thought it too and then came high school. Would you tell them they can’t join the high school sports team? Practices have been at random times all of August, during the workday or evening. Preseason practice was in June and July. No, he can’t bike there with all of the equipment and it’s far. It will be easier once school starts and we only have to pick up since practice is after school.

It complicates things because I still have a child in elementary who plays rec sports. This means 1-2 practices in the evening and a game. That’s not over scheduled but it can seem like a lot of driving to drop off at the field or gym, go to the HS to pick up, go back to the field of gym to pick up. I can’t put the younger one in an Uber yet. We really try to carpool and all of us are counting the days until my oldest can drive.

I'm sure your son could probably bike to practice. They make specialized sports backpacks for transporting equipment (rackets, sticks, shoes, outfits, etc.) via bicycle. If you are talking about football pads or something, then you can store those inside your school. Contact the athletic director for a sports locker. What is too far? My kids biked to practices that were anywhere from 2 miles to 7 miles. Just consider it extra conditioning.

The football players have to be there at 6am in the summer. They are not biking miles in the dark. I guess we could load the bike, unload it and have him bike home after intensively working out for several hours but no thanks. I’ll pay for Uber if we can’t get him. He doesn’t need extra conditioning and I’m not complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

Same. I thought it too and then came high school. Would you tell them they can’t join the high school sports team? Practices have been at random times all of August, during the workday or evening. Preseason practice was in June and July. No, he can’t bike there with all of the equipment and it’s far. It will be easier once school starts and we only have to pick up since practice is after school.

It complicates things because I still have a child in elementary who plays rec sports. This means 1-2 practices in the evening and a game. That’s not over scheduled but it can seem like a lot of driving to drop off at the field or gym, go to the HS to pick up, go back to the field of gym to pick up. I can’t put the younger one in an Uber yet. We really try to carpool and all of us are counting the days until my oldest can drive.

I'm sure your son could probably bike to practice. They make specialized sports backpacks for transporting equipment (rackets, sticks, shoes, outfits, etc.) via bicycle. If you are talking about football pads or something, then you can store those inside your school. Contact the athletic director for a sports locker. What is too far? My kids biked to practices that were anywhere from 2 miles to 7 miles. Just consider it extra conditioning.

The football players have to be there at 6am in the summer. They are not biking miles in the dark. I guess we could load the bike, unload it and have him bike home after intensively working out for several hours but no thanks. I’ll pay for Uber if we can’t get him. He doesn’t need extra conditioning and I’m not complaining.

Why not? My son had flashing lights for his headlight and taillight on the bike. How far away is the school from your house? If you are not complaining about driving him, then go for it. But if you need another option, there is one easily within reach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

PP you replied to. Kids are 12 and 17. 17 year old has special needs and is not ready to drive. One takes the bus, I drive the other. "Parenting has a different set of expectations"? Yes, one *I* set! I'm not playing the activities game. Thankfully, we're all on the same page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

Same. I thought it too and then came high school. Would you tell them they can’t join the high school sports team? Practices have been at random times all of August, during the workday or evening. Preseason practice was in June and July. No, he can’t bike there with all of the equipment and it’s far. It will be easier once school starts and we only have to pick up since practice is after school.

It complicates things because I still have a child in elementary who plays rec sports. This means 1-2 practices in the evening and a game. That’s not over scheduled but it can seem like a lot of driving to drop off at the field or gym, go to the HS to pick up, go back to the field of gym to pick up. I can’t put the younger one in an Uber yet. We really try to carpool and all of us are counting the days until my oldest can drive.

I'm sure your son could probably bike to practice. They make specialized sports backpacks for transporting equipment (rackets, sticks, shoes, outfits, etc.) via bicycle. If you are talking about football pads or something, then you can store those inside your school. Contact the athletic director for a sports locker. What is too far? My kids biked to practices that were anywhere from 2 miles to 7 miles. Just consider it extra conditioning.

The football players have to be there at 6am in the summer. They are not biking miles in the dark. I guess we could load the bike, unload it and have him bike home after intensively working out for several hours but no thanks. I’ll pay for Uber if we can’t get him. He doesn’t need extra conditioning and I’m not complaining.

Why not? My son had flashing lights for his headlight and taillight on the bike. How far away is the school from your house? If you are not complaining about driving him, then go for it. But if you need another option, there is one easily within reach.

Weird how you got adulthood yet don't understand there are no easy choices. Where I live (I'm not the football PP), we've had a number of youths killed on bikes on our closest thoroughfare. Even though my husband bikes to work a little south of where most of the accidents happen, our son would have to bike right past that zone to and from school. So no. We're not doing that.

Yet it's perfectly OK to complain every now and then!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

Same. I thought it too and then came high school. Would you tell them they can’t join the high school sports team? Practices have been at random times all of August, during the workday or evening. Preseason practice was in June and July. No, he can’t bike there with all of the equipment and it’s far. It will be easier once school starts and we only have to pick up since practice is after school.

It complicates things because I still have a child in elementary who plays rec sports. This means 1-2 practices in the evening and a game. That’s not over scheduled but it can seem like a lot of driving to drop off at the field or gym, go to the HS to pick up, go back to the field of gym to pick up. I can’t put the younger one in an Uber yet. We really try to carpool and all of us are counting the days until my oldest can drive.

I'm sure your son could probably bike to practice. They make specialized sports backpacks for transporting equipment (rackets, sticks, shoes, outfits, etc.) via bicycle. If you are talking about football pads or something, then you can store those inside your school. Contact the athletic director for a sports locker. What is too far? My kids biked to practices that were anywhere from 2 miles to 7 miles. Just consider it extra conditioning.

The football players have to be there at 6am in the summer. They are not biking miles in the dark. I guess we could load the bike, unload it and have him bike home after intensively working out for several hours but no thanks. I’ll pay for Uber if we can’t get him. He doesn’t need extra conditioning and I’m not complaining.

Why not? My son had flashing lights for his headlight and taillight on the bike. How far away is the school from your house? If you are not complaining about driving him, then go for it. But if you need another option, there is one easily within reach.

The vast majority of roads in the country, and the DMV, are not safe for bicyclists. I wouldn’t let my kid bike many routes.

- bike commuter

[Anonymous]

At 16 my kids were driving. They got their learners out of state at 14. By 16, they had two full years of driving experience. We bought them each a car. We paid for insurance. In exchange, they were expected to help out with the transportation of younger siblings when possible. And they drove themselves to activities. I would focus on getting that kid driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Wow. You are all impressive, devoted parents.

I don't work, so I'm free to drive my kids about, but there's no way I'm spending the afternoon in the car every day. There is a limit to the number of activities they pack in, just for everyone's sanity, and the planet (even in an electric car, that's a whole lot of pollution).

Um....how old are your kids? This is exactly what I thought when my kids were in elementary school. Now that they are in HS, parenting has a different set of expectations. And my kids do the bare minimum and take a bus to and from school.

Same. I thought it too and then came high school. Would you tell them they can’t join the high school sports team? Practices have been at random times all of August, during the workday or evening. Preseason practice was in June and July. No, he can’t bike there with all of the equipment and it’s far. It will be easier once school starts and we only have to pick up since practice is after school.

It complicates things because I still have a child in elementary who plays rec sports. This means 1-2 practices in the evening and a game. That’s not over scheduled but it can seem like a lot of driving to drop off at the field or gym, go to the HS to pick up, go back to the field of gym to pick up. I can’t put the younger one in an Uber yet. We really try to carpool and all of us are counting the days until my oldest can drive.

I'm sure your son could probably bike to practice. They make specialized sports backpacks for transporting equipment (rackets, sticks, shoes, outfits, etc.) via bicycle. If you are talking about football pads or something, then you can store those inside your school. Contact the athletic director for a sports locker. What is too far? My kids biked to practices that were anywhere from 2 miles to 7 miles. Just consider it extra conditioning.

The football players have to be there at 6am in the summer. They are not biking miles in the dark. I guess we could load the bike, unload it and have him bike home after intensively working out for several hours but no thanks. I’ll pay for Uber if we can’t get him. He doesn’t need extra conditioning and I’m not complaining.

Why not? My son had flashing lights for his headlight and taillight on the bike. How far away is the school from your house? If you are not complaining about driving him, then go for it. But if you need another option, there is one easily within reach.

The vast majority of roads in the country, and the DMV, are not safe for bicyclists. I wouldn’t let my kid bike many routes.

- bike commuter

Out here in the Fair Lakes 'burbs where we live, it is pretty safe for bicyclists. My kids can bike to their school (Chantilly HS), bike to swimming at Cub Run, bike to soccer at Sully/Arrowhead/Greenbriar, bike to the gym, etc. They always wear a helmet and always use flashers at night. They know to watch out for turning cars even when they have the right of way. I believe in allowing them this freedom to develop their transportation skills and independence. We are talking 14 and 15-year-olds here... not 10-year-olds.