One of my favorite things about Kindergarten, other than all the awesome songs I’m learning secondhand that are teaching me how to spell my colors, is driving carpool.
And let me tell you, people around here take their carpool seriously.
I first heard about the importance of carpool from my labor and delivery nurse at the hospital. Actually, that’s not true. It’s been well documented that my labor and delivery nurse was a minion of Satan and she wouldn’t even let me get an epidural, much less offer helpful transportation tips.
Truth be told, I used to think some of the moms were being a little overly dramatic (something that I NEVER, EVER AM!) when they went on and on about making sure your child was in a carpool. I heard horror stories about the long lines for single child pick up and dismissed them as suburban legends.
However, I decided a carpool wasn’t a bad thing. I mean, who doesn’t want a few mornings a week where you can just stay at home in your pajamas as opposed to driving your child to school in your pajamas?
So my friend Julie and I decided that we would establish a carpool of two. Our reasons for this were two-fold.
1. I drive a Volvo. I can only fit one other child in my backseat.
2. We knew we’d always be running too late to pick up an additional child.
Let me tell you that carpool has been the hand of God in my life. People weren’t kidding about the single child pick up line. I wonder how many mothers have been driven to stash tequila and a stack of US Weekly’s in their glove compartment due to the extensive wait to pick up their child?
Carpool is saving me from a life of wasted time and bad tabloids.
Not to mention it has a high entertainment value because the conversations between Caroline and her friend S. are priceless. Take this gem for example:
S: “There’s this girl in my class who is REALLY BOSSY, like SO BOSSY. But she told me I was bossy and I told her that I’m not bossy, I just like to tell everyone what they need to be doing.”
Caroline: “When somebody tells me that I’m bossy, I just tell them, ‘Well, my dress is prettier than yours.’”
Carpool.
Did I mention it’s also a great time to work on appropriate responses and social skills?
Kim says:
If I could get back all the hours I’ve spent driving to and from school & waiting for my sweet children to come out of school at the end of the day…. I could live this life again here on earth. Seriously. And the chat you heard between the girls…. I LOVE that you take it with a grain of salt and sense of humor. It’s a bit much when us moms get into helicopter parenting.
Have a great day!
September 24th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Theresa says:
And when they get older and they accidently leave a note in the jeans you are washing for them, you have to take it out and you have to read it, it will go something like, “I like you, do you like me? Circle yes or no.” Priceless!
September 24th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Wanda says:
Dont’cha just feel sorry for those poor little people that call other’s bossy?
We who lead…..somebody’s got to do it!
It’s a tough job!
There’s a reason my blog is titled Queenie (I was the youngest cousin….but I was in charge!)
I always felt sorry for those cousins …. they couldn’t make sound decisions! So I had too.
Rally on Caroline and S.
LEAD THE WAY, GIRLS!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Kristin says:
okay….you’re hilarious!!!! And…you’re also up eary!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:15 am
suburbancorrespondent says:
Single-child line for me - think of the knitting I could get done!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Linda at 2nd Cup says:
Ah, the conversations. I’m still eavesdropping on my not-yet-driving teenager and friend. However, when they were in preK, I used to enjoy the long car wait because I couldn’t do any house work from there, and I had 20 minutes of time to myself!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Kelly says:
Funny - my response is always exactly like Caroline’s. ha!
Your L&D nurse wouldn’t let you get an epidural??????????????????? Why are you stressing me out so early in the morning.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Erin says:
I love the conversation between Carolonie and her friend, so funny!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:54 am
lavonda says:
You are hilarious!
Tequila in the glove box?
Suburban legend?
Our school doesn’t have a separate carpool pick up line. We’re all in it together, my friend.
Long lines… Waiting…
My neighbor and I carpool just to save gas. There’s 4 kids between us. We have some hilarious conversations going on back there.
I Love It.
(and I learn A LOT.)
I’ve been that girl driving the kids to school in my pj’s. The trick for me is, throwing on a jacket or a sweatshirt over them — nobody knows. Never been caught.
Then the ONE day my army-man husband tried doing it my way (he usually takes them on his way to work and he’s in full uniform), our first grader fell getting out of the car and skinned her knee. So he had to get out, WALK AROUND THE CAR, and hold up the line while he kneeled at the front entrance of the school and consoled her in his pj’s and bedroom shoes.
He came home MORTIFIED.
ps… I did two labors (50 hours total) without epidurals. I now strongly believe there should be a drive thru window at every hospital where you can get your epidural before you even head up to labor and delivery!
September 24th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Gabby says:
Once I overheard a discussion during carpool about how mean the teachers at school are… What could be the infractions of the teachers, you ask:
Make us listen all day- even when they are boring!
We can’t talk whenever we want to- but they can talk ALL DAY!
They give us tests- all the time!
We have to raise our hands- all the time!
Make us sit by people who MAKE us talk!
Needless to say, I called the principal immediately to complain about all the harsh treatment! Poor kids!
September 24th, 2008 at 7:14 am
hulagirlatheart says:
Wait ’til they’re teenagers. You’ll need to strap on your seatbelt so you don’t die when you drive off the road when they start talking about all the sex their classmates are having.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Bailey's Leaf says:
I’m not looking forward to doing the Car Conga Line next year. No ma’am I’m not. I should add that I live in Ohio. Northeast Ohio, to be exact. You can’t just roll out of bed and drop the kid off. You have to suit up for the elements. Boots, hats the whole nine yards. So basically I’ll go, park the car one one of the side streets (oh, and briefly take a refresher in parallel parking) and look like Ralphie’s brother all the while.
Fun. Good times it’ll be. Good times.
September 24th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Cathy Davis says:
(Did you see in my glovebox…tee hee hee)
Instead of the Southern response of “bless your heart” we can now use “my dress is prettier”! I love it!
September 24th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Mama Belle says:
Love the conversations in the car. Kids always say the best things there. I don’t carpool, but would if I could. I make sure I have a stash of magazines to read while I wait.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Tammy H. says:
What a girl!! She can shoot a dove one day, and then wear the prettiest dress the next.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Tara says:
Ah ha! DH teaches at the school my kid goes to. So, Daddy takes him to school. And then at the end of the day so Kid doesn’t have to wait around for grading papers and teachers’ meetings? SCHOOL BUS!!! Great invention. (And I do feel sorry for those who live outside the bus lines, I really do.)
September 24th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Tricia says:
And that’s why I choose to homeschool. No Carpool!
:o)
September 24th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Susan B. says:
Cherish those days you drive. You learn more in the ride to and from school than you ever do when they get home!
September 24th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Kelli says:
Oh I can not wait for the carpool because of the conversation! I hear the best stories from friends!
September 24th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Julie H. says:
Car time conversations are great. It takes us 25 minutes to drive to school and its very educating. We have the drive through lane for pick ups and drop offs but I believe it is akin to hell since the line goes on and on and takes forever. I just park and pick up the kids.
Take care,
Julie
September 24th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Andi the WeevilMaw says:
My 6 year old, who I lovingly call Bootros-Bootros Bossy Bootie, says “It’s not bossy if you say it with a smile.” Still don’t know where she heard that, but it works for her. She is a natural manager, she comes by it honestly as I like to make sure people are doing what they should be doing too!
Small town living doesn’t require car pooling just experience, you only have to know which end of the school building is faster for pick-up and drop-off.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Cheri (the Mom Lady) says:
Tell Caroline that women like us aren’t “bossy” - we merely have better ideas!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Shauna Okongo says:
That is great! Now I know what I have to look forward to, with two girls in the house. Chatty conversations are coming!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Cheri Galloway says:
When my son started kindergarten I was so eager for him to make new friends. I asked him about a little boy that I had seen riding the bus with him. He looked like a good prospect to me. I mentioned him to Seth and he said, “Mooooom, he wears dirty tennis shoes.” Had I instilled some good priorities or what?
September 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am
april says:
You should keep a journal in the car to write the daily little blips down! Too funny!
September 24th, 2008 at 9:50 am
life with the wisners says:
“…dismissed them as suburban legends.”
ba-dah-bing.
big mama is here all week. come by for autographs.
look at your whipping out some good quality material.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Amanda says:
My mom, being a chronic eavesdropper, loved nothing more than carpooling us and our friends in jr. high and high school. There was nothing she didn’t know. For the sake of your blog I’m so glad you decided to carpool.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Emily says:
Just wait till they get older. My daughter’s best friend used to hop in the car and she couldn’t wait to tell me the high drama of 4th and 5th grade. Now, since they have gone on to middle school which is a block from our house, I have 5 boys in my car! That is loud and usually involves talk of video games, daredevil stories from the play ground and talk of burps and farts. Super Fun!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Angela says:
We don’t have a carpool line here either - everyone has to get in the regular line. My children are in 10th and 7th grades, and I’ve been doing lines since my oldest was in preschool - he’s almost 16 now! Believe me, I’ve read lots and lots of books during my wait!!!
As for getting dress - my Mama always told me you don’t leave the houe without hair and makeup done and fully dressed - so I’m up at 5:30am every morning and fully ready before I leave the house! I live for Saturdays!!!! lol
September 24th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Colleen says:
You made me spit coffee on my laptop!
I was on carpool duty yesterday and got to listen to a conversation between my six year old daughter and her friend. They were talking about a boy in her class. I literally had to bite my tongue when my daughter said,
“Other than him picking his nose, he’s a really nice boy.”
September 24th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Valerie says:
So funny!! What conversations go on that we never hear??
September 24th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Musings of a Housewife says:
Omigosh. I’m howling. I love that Caroline. Reminds me of my own Caroline story. Must post tomorrow.
And the tequila - great idea. (I don’t have a carpool.)
September 24th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
JoLynn (jl) says:
One more reason to homeschool!! You can stay in pj’s all day and still do school and leave the volvo and SUV parked in the garage!!!
September 24th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Tracy says:
This is good info to have. I have three more years to go before my daughter is in Kinder but I will keep this info in my back pocket.
Love the girls’ conversation. Priceless!
September 24th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Dana says:
I miss carpool. The bus takes all the fun out of life! (but gives it back in precious time!)
September 24th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Melanie says:
“Suburban legends.”
Snort.
September 24th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
kim says:
hehe that is so funny!
I am super competitive when it comes to carpool
I want to be one of the first 5 in line
That means I have to be in line 30 MINUTES early and there are still people in front of me
What I want to know is WHEN DO THEY GET THERE?
It is just crazy!
Love ya
Kim
September 24th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Tracey says:
It’s official. You have the smartest little girl out there. I mean, “my dress is prettier than yours.” What could be a better come back than that?
*Laughing hysterically*
September 24th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Rena Gunther says:
You SOOO rock, driving your daughter to school in your pajamas! Thanks….now I can tell my 15 year old–well, BIG MAMA does it. Not to be confused with “Big Mama” her grandmother. OH she knows the difference….the one with the blog.
REALLY….I’d go without a bra if I could get away with it (I have a couple of times…)…shhhhhhhhhhhhh! It might not ruin me, but it could ruin a 15 year old.
Rena Gunther
September 24th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
The Diaper Diaries says:
If that doesn’t have 5 yo girl written all over it, I don’t know what does.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Betsy says:
Oh, our elem. school has two dismissal times… K-2nd get out at 2:45, and 3rd grade and up get out at 3:30. That’s a 45 minute gap there. I live in the country, so there is no going home in between pick-ups. And (because God has a sense of humor) my 3 children are all 3 years apart. I have SIX LONG YEARS of two different pick up times. I want to have a melt down and lay kicking and screaming on the floor having a tantrum every time I think about it! The time wasted is MADDENING!!!
September 24th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Ashley says:
Okay Big, this has NOTHING to do with what you blogged about today (which btw I did read 2x. why I’m not sure) but I really could use your help to get the word out. Today (since its midnight and I am still blogging) Thurs. at 5pm on whatever station runs Dr Phil in your area, he is doing a show called Fireproof Your Marriage. This is NOT your typical show. My pastor will be on there and they will do a spot on the movie our church made, but that’s not the main feature of the show. My pastor wouldn’t give it all away…but he said being on set that day was almost like being at church. So I hope as many people as possible will tune in. You can get some more info by reading my post from today. Thanks for your help. I think that marriages today can use all the good help it can, don’t you?
September 24th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Jody says:
My three children have flown the nest…my youngest is 23…and we’ve done the carpool, no carpool, and the bus. Only we called the bus the “big yellow limousine.”
September 25th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates says:
Thanks for a good laugh! I totally cracked up at their conversation! Kids are the best free entertainment.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Kelly says:
Amen sister…the carpool is a blessed gift! And I am so with you on having a carpool of two…I’m pushing it to just pick up one extra child on time! My teenager is almost to driving age now, and I will greatly miss eavesdropping on the conversations about the big game, the harmless trash talk of boyhood banter, girls, and who said the funniest thing in Algebra today. (I have boys…obviously)
And God Bless your Sweet Caroline. Go girl!
Kelly
http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com
September 27th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Tina @ www.antiquemommy.com says:
We are doing a carpool of two for the first time this year, Sean and his little girlfriend. And it is nice to not have to drive every day, but oh the backseat chatter is priceless. That’s how I find out what’s really going on at school, because apparently between 9 and 1, he’s in the witness protection program and would have to kill me if he told me who he sat next to at lunch.
I have a little mp3 recorder and I record their conversations which I plan to play at their wedding.
September 27th, 2008 at 11:05 am