
School carpool ideas to help this school year go great.
Carpooling to and from school and activities is a popular choice for saving time and money. Other reasons to carpool include saving on the environment. It can be a viable option for some people without good busing or who deal with unsafe walking/biking to school areas. If you are new to carpooling, these tips will make it less stressful. If you are a seasoned carpool driver, please leave your tips on our Facebook page.
School Carpool Ideas to Maintain Your Sanity
- We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention checking over your tires, and doing proper vehicle maintenance, right?
- Get all kids’ and parents’ cell and work numbers in your cell phone.
- Keep your phone charge in case of emergency.
- Determine your carpool route and schedule.
- Clearly communicate your rules; wearing seat-belts, no drinks, etc.
- Leave early and give yourself plenty of time.
- Pack healthy, travel-friendly snacks so you aren’t dealing with hungry and crabby kids.
- Assemble a Sanity-Kit; band-aids, wet wipes, plastic bag for who-knows-what, aspirin for the driver?
- Sunglasses for the early morning and late day “sunny drive”.
- Extra booster seats to avoid too many transfers. If you are unsure of booster seat laws, check out an article we did a while back on Minnesota Car/Booster Seat Laws.
- It’s ok to rely on good maps and current road conditions/status updates.
- Anticipate delays, road construction, detours and have a plan B ready.
- Create the “no trash” rule at the end of the ride. Have a designated place or bag, or ask that everyone takes trash with them out of the vehicle.