How often are your children late for school? ( Long commuters or those dealing with heavy traffic)

[Anonymous]

How often are your kids late for school? A question for those who have long commutes (45/50+ minutes one-way) or who face heavy traffic each morning. We are considering the possibility of a long commute due to a move.

[Anonymous]

We have a 35 min commute. We started out the school year strong and were rarely late. However, as the year wears on it has become harder and harder to get kids up and out by 7:15, which is what we have to do to really ensure everyone is on time and "ready to learn" by 8 (eg time to go to the bathroom, etc). And of course the later we leave, the longer it takes, so since spring break, we've been on time maybe 2-3x/week. We're not often more than 5 min late, but it's still late and one of my kids in particular starts his day feeling "behind." We actually are moving closer this summer.

[Anonymous]

We have a 45 minute commute, and we are rarely late. My DH prefers to leave around 7:30 am and can arrive at Wash DC school by 8:30 am. I like to leave by
7:10 and can be in the carpool lane for 8:00 am dropoff. We drive into DC from 66. You really just need to leave early to make it on time....good luck!

[Anonymous]

My DS has a 45 - 55 min commute. He has been late 2 times this year--when someone else was driving.

[Anonymous]

Never -- we are neurotically punctual...even if it means we have to drag our kid out of bed...the school does not take kindly to tardiness...they know the traffic is terrible and just say to get up earlier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 35 min commute. We started out the school year strong and were rarely late. However, as the year wears on it has become harder and harder to get kids up and out by 7:15, which is what we have to do to really ensure everyone is on time and "ready to learn" by 8 (eg time to go to the bathroom, etc). And of course the later we leave, the longer it takes, so since spring break, we've been on time maybe 2-3x/week. We're not often more than 5 min late, but it's still late and one of my kids in particular starts his day feeling "behind." We actually are moving closer this

Same here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never -- we are neurotically punctual...even if it means we have to drag our kid out of bed...the school does not take kindly to tardiness...they know the traffic is terrible and just say to get up earlier

+1. We've never been late. The thought of being late sends my cortisol level through the roof. I understand how someone could be late on rare occasions, but if it is a regular occurrence then it is due to bad time budgeting, not a long commute.

[Anonymous]

The school has five bus routes to facilitate transportation to the school that's environmental and less chaotic. She's only been tardy one time in two years and that was my fault on a day I drove her.

[Anonymous]

My daughter was only late once this year and that was when the entire 495 was shut down after a kersone spill from 7-8am. Even then she was only 10 minutes late and they took the tardy off for most kids that day. I think only 30% of the school was there on time. Like another poster said, the key is to leave early. Our school offers free breakfast for the girls too and many utilize it for 30min of social time before school starts.

[Anonymous]

Twice this year-- I think it was a combo of a too late start and weather. I'm obsessive about being on time. DH less so...

[Anonymous]

At our first school which was five minutes away I was late more times then I would like to recall. Now that we go to a school over the bridge where there could be a traffic issue..never every late. I think it's almost when it is too easy..tempting to let it slide.

[Anonymous]

At our school the latest kids are the ones who live the closest.

[Anonymous]

I didn't know being late to school was an option. Yes I realize that it can happen, but I didn't think it happened frequently. When I was in school, you just weren't late. I assumed the same rules applied today.

We moved down the street from our school to avoid this issue. As it is, my kids sleep until 7:30 and eat breakfast in the car on the way to school. I couldn't imagine living far away.

[Anonymous]

We have lived both far and near to school. DC has always been late when DH does the morning routine.
When I do it, we have very rarely been late.

It's not the distance, but the organization and motivation to make timeliness a top priority.

[Anonymous]

Urbana to DC - 3 times last week. 270 was a mess; accident, rain, people day dreaming, etc.. School starts @ 8.10, leaving after 6.45 is suspect. DD is up by 5.30/45....