As the back-to-school season approaches, busy schedules filled with sports, clubs, and other after-school events can make it feel like you’re being pulled in every direction. You’re not alone! Many parents face the same challenges, and carpooling presents an excellent opportunity to ease the burden by lightening your load, streamlining your schedule and even saving on gas!
To ensure a successful carpooling experience, here are 8 carpooling recommendations you can do right now:
1. Identify Your Carpool Network in Advance
Having strangers drive your kids can be unsettling. The best way to have peace of mind is to create a network of other parents that you know through your kids’ connections. This could be parents of your child’s friends, classmates, teammates, neighbors, or others who participate in the same activities. If you are new to the area or don’t know where to start, ask the school PTA, team coach, or activity leader for a contact list you can use. The more you interact with other parents during activity pickups, school events, or even community gatherings, the larger your network will become.
2. Establish a Reliable Schedule
Since you already know school dropoff and pickup times, creating a consistent schedule is an easy task that you can check off your list. This essential step can help prevent any children from being left waiting. The good news is carpooling apps like GoKid, make it easy by providing all the organizational features you need in one convenient spot. For example, live tracking and in-app messaging let you know where your child is and help you communicate with the driver in case of unexpected changes or emergencies. Once you have your schedule set, post a copy near your door and in your child’s backpack so they know who’s driving that day.
3. Set Clear Carpooling Expectations
Sometimes, texts, emails, and one-off conversations aren’t as effective as in-person communication. A great way to make sure everyone is on the same page is to organize a meeting with all carpooling participants. Doing so before the school year begins will help establish a schedule, agree on rules and expectations, and address any questions or concerns from the other drivers. During the meeting, you can discuss matters such as acceptable lateness, procedures for unprepared children, verification of schedules, conflicts, food allergies, and health-related concerns. You will also want to confirm that only designated members of the carpooling group will cover the route unless all parents agree to an exception, such as a babysitter or family member.
4. Prioritize Safety
Safety will be a top priority for every parent. That’s why it will be important to discuss and implement safety rules. For instance, you may want to specify that:
- Children will enter and exit the vehicle from the curbside
- Front passenger seat restrictions for those under 13,
- The use of child safety or booster seats for those not meeting height and weight requirements.
You may also want to consider using harness-style options that adjust the seatbelt position which can be stored in your child’s backpack.
5. Conduct a Practice Run
The first day of school, team practice, or other activity should not be the first time you run the carpool route. A practice run during the drive times of dropoffs and pickups is important. This will help you become familiar with the routes to your child’s activities and the addresses where you’ll be dropping off carpool kids, and it will also help identify any potential issues before the carpooling schedule begins.
6. Provide Snacks
Kids are hungry and thirsty after school or practice. Offering snacks and drinks is essential when transporting them from school to after-school activities or home. Choose healthy, portable snacks that minimize mess, and provide chilled water in reusable bottles to avoid car upholstery stains. Be sure to have a list of food allergies and to make it easier, you can ask parents to pack their own child’s treats. Keeping a trash bag, and cleanup wipes in the car is also recommended.
7. Ensure Entertainment
Car rides are always more fun with entertainment. One suggestion is to have a few age-appropriate items stored in a backseat organizer that is easy for kids to grab. Examples include joke books, magnetic games, or even carpool karaoke. For older children with varied musical preferences, headphones can be useful for listening to their own devices. Additionally, bring personal entertainment for yourself if you need to wait in the car, such as a favorite book or a relaxing playlist, and always have a charger handy.
8. Check in with Your Child
Make a point to have periodic conversations with your child (and others in your network) to gain their feedback on the carpooling experience. This will help you determine if the arrangement is working for everyone. If it is not, you can always reassess the setup and make adjustments as needed. The goal is always to maintain a positive carpooling experience for all participants.
One more side note: It is important to ensure your vehicle is properly maintained and suitably equipped for carpooling. Safeguard your vehicle and its passengers by securing the appropriate insurance coverage for added peace of mind.
To learn more about the GoKid Carpooling app, go to gokid.mobi and start scheduling rides today!
