{"id":17994,"date":"2019-01-15T11:20:08","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T09:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents-blog\/?p=17994"},"modified":"2022-08-11T12:03:44","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T10:03:44","slug":"school-transport-services-or-diy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/parenting\/school-transport-services-or-diy\/","title":{"rendered":"Fuel hike challenges: School transport vs blissfully DIY"},"content":{"rendered":"

Status update: Always in the car!<\/p>\n

And for many around me, this is a cause of concern \u2013 should I not just indulge in school transport services? Just how much time and energy do I spend ferrying the kids to and from school and then off to afternoon classes? As is the beginning of every year, I spend endless hours in anxiety wondering how I would get to 3 schools at exactly the same time, and debating whether I should just hang around for the 4th<\/sup> kid or do a return trip.\u00a0 Then, I spend more aggravating hours looking for alternatives \u2013 transport services, lift clubs, pooling hubby in, changing schools, moving home, etc, etc…and, \u00a0in the end \u2013 I\u2019m happy to just be in the car (even if I sometimes wish it was a mobile home).<\/p>\n

Growing up in the city has its own challenges, compared to my hometown life where school was always a minute\u2019s walk away. Probably why I just cannot adjust to the blessings of school transport.<\/p>\n

Again and again, I weigh the vision of waiting at home with a pot of hot food, calm and collected, while my kids are being delivered to me by a transport service (like a DHL fast option: kids door – to – door service), against having to schedule my day around my kid\u2019s times and needs. Here’s what comes to mind:<\/p>\n

School transport services<\/h3>\n

This makes perfect sense: \u00a0I would have more time for me, more time for housework, more time for work, more time for…? I would probably have reason to update my status more often, and do instagram posts of my every meal, location and emotion. Of course I would save on wear and tear on my car, and hopefully some petrol too. I am often tempted to accept the quotations – there are some really cool and reliable school transport services out there<\/a> – willing to take the load off my shoulders.<\/p>\n

Better to Lift Club?<\/h3>\n

Then there\u2019s lift clubs \u2013 no added expense, get a day or more \u201coff\u201d to fit in some breakfast with friends or an added hour in my day for some me time. Again, this makes more sense. It\u2019s probably the best of both worlds \u2013 IF, I can find a common schedule and IF my kids can schedule their moods and feelings to only surface on days I fetch them.<\/p>\n

DIY School Transport<\/h3>\n

BUT \u2013 having tried both, having benefited from the convenience of having my older kids seen to while I attend to the little ones,\u00a0I remember days of FOMO too. I remember cringing because others knew more about my son\u2019s day than I did, I remember feeling a void, or detachment from their worlds. The kids I knew at home had a different life at school, knew different people- I wouldn\u2019t comprehend their difficulty in getting to the gates, I couldn\u2019t put faces to names of their friends, and friends mums ( I mean, these are some of the most influential people in my kids lives).<\/p>\n

More than that, I missed out on that important moments of revelation when they just get into the car \u2013 relieved to see me, or excited to tell me about their days. I missed out on listening to radio 702, discussing current politics and other matters, worrying about rhinos, spelling words from numberplates, stitching buttons whilst driving, going over quick mental maths and spelling words. I missed out on hearing stories about friends, and teachers, appreciating the early morning sunrays through trees together, marvelling at the jacarandas, counting cars and taxis along the road, lunching in the car, changing in the car for afternoon classes. I missed being a part of them \u2013 sharing in their tears and laughter at the end of the school day.<\/p>\n

I remember fondly my high school son\u2019s first lift club in Grade R \u2013 the friends who have stuck with me through this (most of whom have moved closer to the school),\u00a0 the friends who still have my back when I need, becoming family to each other as we watched our kids grow in school, and in the car, of course. I look at new mums doing the same now \u2013 some travelling from the outskirts of the city \u2013 and I smile. Knowing that the struggle is real \u2013 but we\u00a0 all share the same natural inclination: to grow and guide our kids whilst we have them in the nest.<\/p>\n

I won\u2019t trade these moments for anything in the world… I can empathise with those that have no other choice but to rely on transport services \u2013 who have to be at work, or elsewhere. It\u2019s perfectly ok to do this.\u00a0 But, whilst I have the opportunity, a flexi job (thank goodness) and some time management skills \u2013 I choose to create my own drama! To be a part of my kids, to re-organise my days, to stick out as abnormal in what others would consider the normal thing to do. Even if they don\u2019t appreciate it now \u2013 some day they will reflect on the memories we made in the car.<\/p>\n

And on days when I am tired \u2013 I snooze in the car, or call a friend for help, and hey! I\u2019m back on track! Always in the car!<\/p>\n

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