Something happens to your brain after you become a parent. Suddenly, everything around you is a death trap, and it’s your job to ensure that tragedy doesn’t strike. Whether you’re still managing the lingering effects of postpartum anxiety or simply exist in a hyper-alert state, parenting is scary.
When your kids are small, bundling them up into a car seat quickly protects them from the outside world. But as they approach school age, things get more complex, and the variables for dangerous situations multiply. Fortunately, here are four tips to help ensure your young scholar returns home safe and sound.
1. Create a Plan That Works for Your Family
The traditional school schedule simply doesn’t work with the traditional work schedule. And as many school systems adjust start times to mesh better with students’ periods of peak attention, things get complicated.
First, sit down with your family’s schedule and plot out the facts: school start and end times, traffic considerations, and appointments. Once you can see who needs to be where and when, you can plot travel routes to determine what’s possible.
Consider your child’s age as you think about your after-school plan. Some schools offer extended care services for an additional fee, which can bridge the gap between school and work. If walking home is an option, determine a way for your kid to notify you that they’re home safe.
Many families have let go of their landline, so you’ll need to make a plan that works around that. A kids phone watch can give your child a means to let you know they’ve arrived safely. If they ever find themselves lost or need help, they can use their watch to make a call.
2. Practice Your After-School Plan With Your Child
New situations are scary, so both kids and parents benefit from a walk-through. Now that you’ve timed out your plan on paper, start by talking about it with your child. Focus on the excitement of a new process and aim to empower them with the responsibility they’ll have.
If your child will need to get themself from the classroom to their extended care facilities, practice the route. Attending school is one of the first times kids have some autonomy over their whereabouts. If their norm is to look to you for guidance, practicing is doubly important.
Talk through various situations and considerations so everyone has a chance to think about what to do. Planning for bathroom breaks, discussing who the responsible adults are, and knowing what to do if rides are late are key topics. Ask your child what they’d do first, so you can understand their thought process. If they respond incorrectly, gently guide them to a safe and appropriate action plan.
3. Understand the Rules for Your Child’s School
The rules for your child will likely shift over time, so it’s important to know what’s in the school handbook. Often required reading that you’ll have to sign off on, the handbook is your guide to the dos and don’ts. Take your assignment seriously, especially when it comes to drop-off and pick-up instructions.
Most schools institute a phone-free pickup line to encourage drivers’ full attention to be focused on student safety. Depending on your child’s age, there may be a different process for picking them up directly after school.
Kindergarten parents may be expected to retrieve their kids from the sidewalk and sign out with the teacher. Older kids might need to find their pickup person’s car in a sea of similar vehicles. If your child will be walking among parked cars filled with impatient drivers, it can create a stressful situation.
Do what you can to reduce the unnecessary panic that can arise with change. Park in the same area, add a colorful cling to your windshield, or stand by your car if that’s allowed. If your usual plans change, let your child’s teacher and the school know so your child will be aware beforehand.
4. Recruit Trusted Family and Friends to Serve as Backups
Things come up, plans change, and disaster strikes, so outlining a plan B or C just makes sense. Think about your circle of support and put out a call for pickup pinch-hitters. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and fellow parents should be among those whom you reach out to first.
After you’ve gotten several “yeses” to your request for support, gather the information pinch drivers will need to be successful. Remember, it’s likely been a while since they’ve been on school pickup duty, so it’s best to overcommunicate. If your child plans to walk home, determine whether the adult you’ve recruited should walk with them or meet them at home. Equip your child and their trusted adult with a way of contacting one another if plans change.
Put together a handbook that includes the process, procedures, and expectations both parties will need to know. Some of these rules may be your own, while others may be enacted by the school. Differentiate between the two when you can, so the trusted adult knows whom to ask questions. Include any door codes, phone numbers, or other information they’ll need.
Next, inform the school of who’s on your child’s expanded list of responsible adults. You’ll likely need to provide the individual’s name, contact information, and what authority you’re granting them. Schools using parent portals may allow you to update this information, while others may require a call to the school. Make sure both school and extended care programs have this information, as many of the latter are run separately.
Instilling Confidence as you Plan for a Safe Trip Home
Planning for every variable associated with school transportation almost feels like a second job. However, thoughtful planning and practice now can boost you and your child’s confidence as they begin a new school year. With a plan, a reliable support system, and safe travel procedures in place, your student can thrive all year long.
