How do non driving teens get to sports practice and tryouts?

[Anonymous]

They bring a book and wait until we get off work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a carpool, even if it’s not super convenient. I would rather pick up or drop off a kid who lives 15 minutes in the opposite direction than do a round trip twice.

But mostly I just adjust my schedule and drive, or flat-out say no if something won’t work and it’s not critical. My job is more critical than a camp that requires noon pickup that I can’t swing.

If the delta is less than an hour, there have also been times my kid just has to wait. Not ideal but what teenager doesn’t love scrolling the phone for an hour…

+1.

Be creative. Are there bus routes where you live that he can walk part of the trip and bus part of it. Set up carpools. Or, he's a teenager so let him hang out and wait.

Worst case, you simply have to say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a carpool, even if it’s not super convenient. I would rather pick up or drop off a kid who lives 15 minutes in the opposite direction than do a round trip twice.

But mostly I just adjust my schedule and drive, or flat-out say no if something won’t work and it’s not critical. My job is more critical than a camp that requires noon pickup that I can’t swing.

If the delta is less than an hour, there have also been times my kid just has to wait. Not ideal but what teenager doesn’t love scrolling the phone for an hour…

Same. Also OP- are any of these activities within walking distance to a safe public place where your DS could hang out for a bit after? My kids’ high school is in easy walking distance of a Starbucks, a few fast food places, a chain supermarket etc. I’ve sometime given them $ to go hang out at Starbucks or hang out and get something to eat etc until I can pick them up. I’ve seen other parents do the same. Works pretty well. Sometimes I even have them pick up a few items at the supermarket for me 🤣.

Anyway, sometimes we go that route- they will wait an hour, and one of us will leave work an hour early. Sort of split the difference.

Also at our high school, there are often quite a few kids hanging out, out front waiting for parents for over an hour. Whether after school, after practice or whatever. They just sit and play on their phones. It isn’t at all unusual.

[Anonymous]

Do you or DH have any flexibility to run and get him on your lunch hour etc? I’ve sometimes done this even if it means picking them up a little early. Especially if it is something like a private camp that I am paying for (as opposed to a high school program run by the coach). Obviously it still isn’t ideal but I’d rather they are able to make it for most of the day rather than none.

[Anonymous]

I posted on the other thread about Uber. This is the reason DS started taking Uber at 14 with a friend. We needed to get them to practice and were working. We always used regular Uber and not Uber teen but I’m not sure it was a thing 3 years ago when he started. He’s 17 now and driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We only chose the skill camps that had an after care at least until 4 or something more reasonable than 2:30. I think better camps are planning it out this way? There was a fee of course.

Once they get to green days and pre tryout lifting, there is no aftercare or payment. You carpool to get them there or they uber. Often there is too much equipment for them to bike, depending on the sport.

[Anonymous]

Do you have any neighbors or friends with a teen who drives and wants to make a little extra $?

I ask because my 17yo and 16yo are usually home for part of the day and would totally do this for $ if someone asked. They already have to drive their 13yo brother when we are both at work (very handy).

Obviously you’d need to vet the kid so you feel comfortable, but could be an option.

[Anonymous]

Take the metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take the metro.

Many of us are out in the burbs. There isn’t one close to us. I haven’t been on the metro in over ten years.

[Anonymous]

I guess it depends where you live. We are in a close in suburb and my kid takes the public bus there. I get off work in time to pick him up at the end.

[Anonymous]

Pay reliable neighborhood college students or adults to drive your DC. It would benefit both and safer than complete strangers, and carpool nearly daily won’t be that easy to find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take the metro.

LOL. If i had enough money to live by a metro, I would prefer it. But alas, I don't, so I'm 14 miles from the nearest one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay a sitter to drive.
I’m paying a 19yo
To drive my 13yo to soccer practice tonight. It is what it is. When you work it’s what you have to do if you don’t have family or a carpool.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don’t let our HSers use Uber. We managed it by remote working, taking vacation and carpooling. Best thing ever was the driver’s license.

Why don’t you let your high schoolers use Uber?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don’t let our HSers use Uber. We managed it by remote working, taking vacation and carpooling. Best thing ever was the driver’s license.

Why don’t you let your high schoolers use Uber?

Because they can’t unclench and land the helicopter.