The School Run – A time to enjoy or endure?

Hiya people, how are you doing? I’m doing pretty well, thank you 😉.

I’ve been rather busy lately with secondary school transfer exams for my eldest. Here in the UK, it’s called the 11 Plus, and if you’re hoping to secure a place at a good secondary school for your child, it’s a pretty big deal!

The whole process can be quite intense. From helping your child prepare and practise, to completing applications (which require a surprising amount of research), and then attending open days to visit all the schools under consideration—it’s a lot.

Honestly, after everything we’ve been through, I think I deserve a holiday! In fact, I’m convinced I’m now eligible for a place at a top grammar school myself 😋.

The School Run Through My Eyes

So, we’re currently in the middle of the school term, and the school run is in full swing!

Do you have children that you drop off and pick up from school? Or perhaps you’re responsible for helping someone else with their school drop-offs and pick-ups? If so, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about this afternoon.

The school run is the regular journey parents or caregivers make each day to take children to and from school.

Of course, the school run looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a pleasant stroll to and from school. Others cycle, scoot, drive, or rely on public transport. Some have a quick five-minute journey, while others spend a significant part of their day travelling back and forth.

This post is about what the school run means to me and the lessons I’ve learned from it over the years.

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The Adventure that Happens Twice a Day

I have come to really enjoy the school run. I love the drive and the little chats we have when the boys are in the car. Now, the drive to or from school on my own? Priceless! That’s when I let my hair down and allow myself to simply be Abi, not Mum.

The drive back after dropping them off is usually spent listening to my favourite prayer groups. The drive to pick them up, however, is a completely different story. That’s when the 90s music comes on at full blast and I’m rapping loudly all the way. Sometimes it’s R&B, sometimes it’s Yoruba hymns or praise songs, and sometimes it’s just silence. On those days, I simply relax and enjoy the quiet.

I also like arriving at school early. It gives me a better choice of parking spaces, but more than that, it allows me to observe the different parents and carers as they arrive to collect their precious children. I love watching those little reunions at the school gates.

Obviously, we drive to school, but whatever mode of transport you use to get your little humans there, what do you do with that time? Do you enjoy it or simply endure it?

I have found the school run to be priceless. In our case, the journey takes between 25 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic. That gives me a good amount of uninterrupted time with the boys, something I have come to cherish. What was once just another daily task has become a valuable opportunity to connect, laugh, talk, and simply be together.

The school run has become one of our favourite times for bonding, and for that reason alone, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“And it was during one of these school runs that I began to notice something interesting…”

The Morning Run

The morning run is quite different from the afternoon run.

I don’t always do the morning run, but whether it’s me or hubby behind the wheel, we both approach it in much the same way.

When I was a little girl, family devotions were an important part of our daily routine. We started each day with morning devotion and ended it with another devotion in the evening. The morning devotion required an early rise, so it wasn’t exactly popular with me and my siblings!

I would love to do the same with the boys, but because we have to leave the house quite early, our family devotion usually takes place during the morning school run instead.

For people of faith, devotions are an important part of the day. It’s a time to talk to God, thank Him for the gift of a new day, and pray for His guidance, protection, and blessings. It is an act of worship that is encouraged for the whole family.

As ideal as it may be to do this first thing in the morning, school-day preparations can make that difficult. We’ve found that the school run provides the perfect opportunity to do it without feeling rushed. We sing a few choruses, ask each of the boys to pray, and then round it all off with our own prayers.

The morning run is also a great time for spelling practice, times tables, and any last-minute preparations that might be needed for the school day ahead. We use the journey to share words of affirmation, reminding the boys to be kind, to treat others as they would like to be treated, and to be respectful.

At the same time, we encourage them to be confident, to speak up when necessary, and to stand up for themselves.

Then we arrive at school. There are hugs, kisses, reminders to have a great day, and cheerful goodbyes.

And then…

Freedom. 😊

Freedom

Every relationship needs space in order to flourish. Yes, even the parent-child relationship.

As much as we love our children, parenting is hard work. What that work looks like changes at every stage of their development. The sleepless nights of infancy give way to the challenges of toddlerhood, which are then replaced by homework, friendships, and the many complexities of the school years.

Whatever stage they are in, however, one thing remains true: both parent and child benefit from a little time apart.

School provides that necessary recess. It gives children the opportunity to learn, grow, build friendships, and develop their independence. At the same time, it gives parents a chance to focus on other responsibilities, pursue their interests, catch their breath, or simply enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.

Absence may not always make the heart grow fonder, but a healthy amount of space often helps us appreciate one another more. By the time the school day is over, both parent and child usually have stories to share, experiences to discuss, and are ready to reconnect.

Perhaps that is one of the hidden blessings of the school run—it creates a rhythm of separation and reunion that strengthens the bond between us.

The Afternoon Run

The afternoon pick-up run is usually quite different from the morning run.

By the end of the school day, the boys are often tired, hungry, and sometimes not particularly interested in answering questions. Getting information out of them can be quite the task! But I have come to realise that this time is incredibly important, so as a parent, you have to use whatever tricks you can to get them talking.

A snack is usually a good place to start—they always seem to be hungry! 😂

Sometimes I’ll tell them about my day first before asking about theirs. Other times, I’ll ask a random question just to get the conversation flowing. Whatever works, works.

For me, this is the most important part of the school run. It is my window into their world.

I ask about everything: who they played with, what they had for lunch, the lessons they enjoyed, and the ones they didn’t. I ask about their teachers, the sports they played, what made them laugh, and whether anything upset them during the day.

Most of the time, the answers are brief at first. “Fine.” “Good.” “Nothing.”

But if you keep the conversation going, little nuggets of information begin to emerge. Before long, they’re telling you about a playground disagreement, a funny incident in class, a spelling test they aced, or a new friend they’ve made.

I find that the more I ask, the easier it is to get through to them. I laugh about whoever was silly (even when the story isn’t particularly funny), and I gently cajole every bit of information out of them. That’s how I know what needs working on and what deserves celebrating.

Those conversations are priceless.

They give me insight into what is happening in their lives, what excites them, what worries them, and how they are growing as individuals. They also provide opportunities to celebrate their wins, guide them through challenges, and remind them that home is a safe place where they can talk about anything.

The school run may look like a simple journey from one place to another, but for me, it is so much more than that. It is a daily opportunity to stay connected to my children and remain an active participant in their little world while they still want to share it with me.

Now tell me, how do you look?

So, welcome to the fun part 🤭

Now, here’s a question for you: how do you look on the school run?

I recently read an article about a headteacher who wrote to parents asking them to stop wearing pyjamas for the school drop-off. Her reasoning was that it does not set a good example for the children. Apparently, other headteachers in the borough agreed and sent similar letters to parents at their schools.

Hilarious, isn’t it?

So, would you wear pyjamas to drop off your children?

Personally, no.

The look the boys would give me if I attempted it would be enough to put me off for life! The reason they would think I’ve completely lost the plot is that I have always made it clear that pyjamas are for sleeping and nothing else.

As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children what is expected of them and what is considered appropriate. Those lessons are best embedded at home because children absorb far more than we realise. They watch what we do, listen to what we say, and often imitate both.

In my opinion, unless you’re attending a pyjama party, there is absolutely no reason for your pyjamas to leave the house.

I’m with the headteacher on this one. No matter how much of a hurry I’m in, you’ll never catch me at the school gates in my nightwear. I may not be dressed to impress, but I will certainly be dressed!

Then again, perhaps that’s just me. What do you think? Am I being old-fashioned, or should pyjamas remain firmly indoors where they belong?

Mums on the Run

As much as Covid and the rise of remote working have encouraged more dads to get involved in the school run, the ratio of dads to mums is still relatively low. On most school runs—particularly at pick-up time—you’ll find plenty of mums and just a sprinkling of dads.

In other words, mums still rule the school run!

Over the years, I’ve become quite the people watcher while waiting to collect the boys. As a result, I’ve noticed that there are all sorts of school-run mums. You may recognise yourself in one of these categories—or perhaps you’re a delightful combination of several!

Here are some of the different mums I notice:

The Fitness Enthusiast

She’s always dressed in her workout gear and looks like she’s either just come from the gym or is heading there immediately after drop-off.

Smartwatch? ✅

Wireless earphones? ✅

Matching activewear set? ✅

Boundless energy at 8 a.m.? Also ✅

She’s the mum who either runs home from school, power-walks at impressive speed, or drives straight to the gym before the rest of us have fully woken up.

And let’s be honest, she looks absolutely fabulous in her activewear too.

You know exactly who I’m talking about, don’t you?

Let’s call her Sweaty Berta. 😂.

The Leggings Crew

Can we please give a resounding round of applause to the inventor of the almighty leggings?

Good old leggings are a lifesaver. They accommodate every shape and size and remain fiercely loyal whether you’ve gained a pound or two—or three. This is where they outshine their not-too-distant cousin, the skinny jeans.

You see, leggings forgive all our weight-related indiscretions. Skinny jeans, on the other hand, will expose you without mercy. 😁

What’s not to love about our beloved leggings? Comfortable, practical, and dependable, they’re the unofficial uniform of the school run.

Little wonder so many mums can be found sporting a trusty pair of leggings paired with a comfy top.

We’ll call this group the Snug Susans. 😂

The Working Mum

The Working Mum

Then there’s the working mum.

She’s usually easy to spot because she’s always in a hurry. She arrives at the school gates looking effortlessly polished, rushes in for drop-off, and is gone again before you’ve had a chance to say good morning.

She’s impeccably dressed in her corporate attire, clearly on her way to an important meeting. There’s never a hair out of place, and somehow her child—or children—look just as immaculate as she does.

Laptop bag? ✅

Coffee cup? ✅

Calendar packed with meetings? ✅

She’s mastered the art of juggling work deadlines, school schedules, packed lunches, and last-minute reminders, all while looking remarkably calm on the outside.

Thanks to remote working, she’s now at home more often than she’s in the office, but don’t be fooled. Whether she’s commuting to work or commuting to her dining table, she still turns up looking perfectly put together, with not a single hair out of place.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are wondering how she does it!

Let’s call her Sensible Shade. 😉

The Dog Walkers

Then there are the dog walkers.

They’re usually juggling the school run and the morning dog walk at the same time. One hand holds a child’s book bag, the other is firmly gripping a dog lead that’s determined to investigate every interesting smell along the route.

Sometimes they’re standing patiently while their child’s friends gather around, cooing over the dog and asking, “Can I stroke him?”

Meanwhile, the dog walker smiles proudly as her four-legged family member enjoys their moment of fame.

After all, some of those dogs are more popular than the children! 😂

Let’s call this mum Pawfect Pam. 🐾

The Activewear Wearer

Now, let’s talk about the Activewear Wearer.

Activewear? ✅

Trainers? ✅

Sweatband? ✅

Ponytail? ✅

The thing is, she’s not actually doing any exercise. 🤐

At first glance, you’d think she was heading off to run a marathon, attend a spin class, or smash out a HIIT workout. But no.

She’s simply living her life.

You’ll see her at drop-off in activewear. You’ll pop to the shops at lunchtime and see her again in activewear. Then you’ll return for pick-up and, lo and behold, she’s still in activewear.

At this point, activewear is no longer clothing—it’s a lifestyle.

To be fair, it’s comfortable, practical, and much more forgiving than actual clothes, so who can blame her?

As for her name, I’ll leave that one to you lot.

That’s your assignment. 😅

The Yummy Mummy

Ah yes, the yummy mummy.

Let’s call her Fancy Nancy.

She’s always dressed in the latest fashion trend and somehow manages to look effortlessly put together, even at 8 o’clock in the morning.

Hair? Flawless.

Nails? Impeccable.

Make-up? Perfectly applied.

Outfit? Straight out of a magazine.

She always looks fabulous, smells amazing, and somehow still has time to be lovely to everyone she meets.

You find yourself wondering whether she has a secret glam squad hiding somewhere at home.

Whatever her secret is, she’s certainly not sharing it with the rest of us!

The Quirky Mum

Then there’s the quirky mum.

She’s the non-conformist of the school gates. Fashion trends don’t dictate her wardrobe—she wears whatever makes her happy.

Her fashion, her rules.

You never quite know what she’s going to turn up wearing, but you can be certain it’s going to be interesting.

One day it might be a vibrant oversized jumper, the next a colourful jacket that can probably be spotted from space. She mixes patterns, colours, and accessories with a confidence the rest of us can only admire.

While some of us spend ages trying to fit in, she’s busy standing out—and doing it brilliantly.

Let’s call her Bohemian Bibi.

From Gangster Lulu to Mummy Mode 👼🏽

Don’t we love them all? How boring would the school run be without our colourful cast of mums?

And let’s not forget the dads—the Executive Dads, the Cool Dads, the Grumpy Dads, and the Geeky Dads. 😃

So, which one are you?

As for me, I’m probably all of them depending on the day and my mood. My school drop-off style is usually activewear. If I’m not planning a run afterwards, then it’s definitely leggings all the way. 😚

These days, however, I try to make a bit more of an effort for pick-up. The boys notice, and they never fail to compliment me when they like what I’m wearing. That counts for something, right? Show up in a way that makes your child proud.

I genuinely love the school run, and I’m trying to enjoy this season of my children’s lives as much as possible because they grow up so quickly.

Whoever turns up for pick-up on any given day—Gangster Lulu, rapping along to Notorious B.I.G. or Tupac; Virtuous Mum Abi, fresh from listening to her favourite hymns and praise songs; or Stoic Abi, lost in thought for most of the drive—she disappears the moment I pull into the school car park.

Cape On, Mum Mode Activated

As soon as I see my boys, I put on my cape, step out of the car, and return to full mummy mode. The hug from my still-very-energetic child has a way of making everything else fade into the background.

Whatever mood I arrive in, it is usually forgotten within minutes as I begin the familiar task of engaging my not-always-cooperative boys in conversation on the drive home.

What started out as a simple daily routine has become one of my favourite parts of motherhood—a time for bonding, listening, laughing, praying, teaching, learning, and simply being present.

So, tell me, what do you enjoy most about the school run? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Aunty Lulu

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