My kids have been in public school for 6 years now and I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had to deal with drop off or pick up. Working in the school where my kids attended meant we were there long before the carpool line started up. Yesterday we got there early and parked so I could walk them in, so today was the very first day I had to drop them off in the dreaded carpool line. Having anxiety means I thought this through very thoroughly. But apparently I didn’t think it out enough.
There are two directions from which to approach the school. The direction you choose determines which door students can enter. I wanted to drop them off in a place that got them closest to their classroom, so I chose accordingly. We left a little later than I’d wanted (all my planning does not always translate into child compliance), but I knew we still had time before the tardy bell. I tried to remain calm as I waited for the kids to gather everything and get into the car (and go back for a forgotten item or two). Unfortunately, my daughter remembered when we were almost to the school that my son had forgotten his band instrument. My children go to a school across town because they have been grandfathered into the school where I worked. This means it takes 15 minutes to get between the school and our house. Which totals 30 minutes round trip. There was no way I’d be able to go back to get the instrument before they would be late, so I said I’d bring it and leave it at the front office.
I had to make a left turn to get onto the school’s street. Unfortunately, the carpool line was so backed up, it stretched up the street and around the corner, making it impossible for me to turn left. I ended up having to go past the street and do a u-turn to get into the long line of cars. My son was still beating himself up for forgetting his instrument as I dropped them off. I’m pretty sure I said “I love you” as they exited the vehicle, but I’m not completely certain.
I then made the drive home to get the instrument, texting a friend of our first week forgetfulness. She called to say she remembered an instance several years ago where a parent came to drop off an instrument and was not allowed and she suggested I call. So I did, and thankfully they would accept it. So I grabbed the instrument, got back into the car, and strategized a route that would not take me past the high school or middle school, where the school zone had just activated.
I got to the school, grabbed the instrument to take inside, then remembered that I would need my ID (not something I used to need to get into the building) and went back to the car to get it. I managed to drop off the instrument and get home without hitting any school zones. Yea me!
This whole drop off/pick up thing is so new to me. I’m assured by others that it gets better as people get used to the system. I hope so. Because this little bundle of anxiety is not cut out for this! I’m glad I’ve got therapy today!
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