How to cope with the pick-up/drop-off line
Mike Yates, teacher and Ford DSFL guest contributor
Dear Parents,
It’s a new school year. New classes, new friends, new clothes, new challenges; same old pick-up and drop-off line. Never in my teaching career have I met a parent who loves to wait in line to pick up the child they love and adore. As you probably know, this causes all sorts of issues from cutting in line to driving away with an overzealous teacher on the hood of a car. As a teacher, I know pick-up and drop-off is crazy. So in honor of the new school year, here are some tips on how to cope with the pick-up/drop-off line.
#1- It will never be as efficient as you want.
If you are waiting on us, the school staff, to figure out a magic solution that considers the speeding parents, the ones who are late to work, the ones who left early enough, the texting parents, the loud music player and, my favorite, the 16-year-old sibling who is more concerned with being cool than the safety of their little sister, I apologize. There is no perfect solution that mitigates all those issues and moves you through the line in 30 seconds. The line will probably never be as efficient as you would like.
#2- Don’t speed
Trust me, I know that work is important. I know that it isn’t always easy to drive out of your way to drop off your child at school. Whether you are in a hurry or not, don’t speed through the school parking lot. There are students, teachers and other parents walking through the parking lot. Also, note that kids (particularly elementary-age kids) don’t yet know that cars are two-ton machines capable of flattening them. They won’t look both ways before they walk and they will run in front of your car. Please, this year, slow down.
#3- Stay Calm
Stay calm. Say it with me this time, “stay calm.” Teachers know that this pick-up and drop-off line is often frustrating. We can be frustrated with it as well. I mean, think about it, we are there standing outside in the heat baking like a Chick-Fil-A employee during a lunch rush. We get it, the line can cause frustration. The best way to get through the line is to stay calm with your kid who may be running late or the teachers telling you not to cut the line. Try creating a pick-up line playlist with all your favorite songs on it. That way you can jam while you wait!
#4- Look for your child
This sounds like a no-brainer but trust me, it is extremely important. Many times, your kid is not exactly looking for your car when you come to pick them up. They are standing outside with all their friends, watching funny videos, playing Fortnite and trying to be as cool as they can for the girl or boy they want to impress. There’s a ton going on in the life of a kid. No wonder they forget to look for your car sometimes. So, to avoid the panic or frustration of feeling like your child isn’t at school, look for them first.
#5- Remember what is important
The last helpful tip this year as you drop off and pick up your child from school is to remember one thing: your child’s education is what is important. You’ve chosen that school for a reason and it is likely because you believe it is best for the development of your child. Sometimes the best way to deal with frustration is to remember why you do what you do. This year remember, your child is getting a great education. Now you can pull up with a smile.
