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Keeping Busy in the Carpool Lane
Sep 18 2008 by Sara Lacey
9/18/08
MotherProof.com Staffers Offer Techniques for Surviving the Wait
MotherProof.com is staffed with some seasoned carpoolers, and we thought we’d help you figure out what to do with your carpool wait time.
What’s your carpool life like? Mine is pretty easy because I’m not in a carpool this year, but next year I’ll be carpooling again. Here are some of MotherProof.com’s ideas on how to maximize your time in the carpool lane:
• Read a book (when else are you going to have the opportunity?).
• Keep a coloring book and colored pencils on hand for the kids in the backseat, or check out a LeapPad and book from the library for them.
• Bring a CD and its liner notes and learn the real words to your favorite songs.
• Balance your checkbook (my friend spends an average of 45 minutes in the carpool lane, so there’s plenty of time for this activity).
• Bring a cookbook and plan a couple meals (let the kids look through the cookbook and pick a recipe or two).
• Floss (you know you don’t do it enough)
• Write real, actual letters or thank-you notes.
• Tidy your car (pick up trash and wipe down the interior). After you pick up your child, head straight for the car wash and finish the job.
• Keep a travel manicure kit on hand and do your nails.
• Write your to-do lists (and cross off “Make To-Do Lists”).
• Practice some deep-breathing exercises.
• Learn about your car: Read the manual!
• Bring a laptop or iPhone and take care of business or play games.
• Read the mail that you grabbed as you left to pick up the kiddos (don’t forget to throw out the junk mail; don’t leave it on the floor).
• Put on makeup for whatever event/meeting you have that night (this tip is mom-reviewer Emily Hansen’s, and it’s my favorite).
• Knit/crochet
• Organize your old photo boxes.
• Just sit there and enjoy the rare moment of peace and quiet!
Do you have any tricks for keeping busy while sitting in the carpool lane? Share below!
User Comments
I’ve got one!
Turn off that engine and roll down the windows if you can!
Here’s another idea -
Stop driving your kids to school and make them take the bus!
In my old neighborhood, all the middle class kids were driven to school and only the “poor” kids took the bus. Which is better for the environment?
I wish I could send my kids on the bus, but their charter school doesn’t have one. In the meantime I’ll just have to keep reading my junk mail and trash mags in the carpool lane…
I think I’m confused. Why are you not moving in the Carpool lane? I thought that was supposed to be the fastest lane, saving you the bother of the traffic in the regular lanes? Or are ALL the lanes snarled up for y’all? Man, and I thought Chicago traffic was bad!
Are you serious?? You’re advocating doing all these activities while DRIVING in the carpool lane???? Even if it’s stop-and-go traffic, you should pay attention to what is going on around you. Otherwise, you’re likely to cause an accident, or tick off everyone behind you.
I have a suggestion: take the time to have a conversation with your kids, while keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel!
When my boys attended a private school without bus service, I spent a lot of time in the pickup lane! I always keep a packet of baby wipes in the car and would use the time to wipe down my interior. Or, if I was really early, I’d just open up the back of my wagog and start weeding through the junk that inevitably collects in the way back.
I think they’re talking about waiting to pick up kids from school. Showing an expressway “carpool lane” sign DOES make it look like they’re talking about doing these things while driving 80 mph. A little clarity from the folks at Motherproof, please!!!
Oh dear, yes. Let me clarify. I mean the carpool pick-up lane at the school. What can happen at schools without bussing or, in my case, picking up from half-day Kindergarten, is that there’s a period of time to wait in the pick-up lane at school. You pull up into the pick-up lane and wait for your kid(s) to get out of school. In some cases, these wait lines are very long and congested. So what do you do while you’re just sitting there waiting? The tips above are meant to give you inspiration. I agree, the sign in the picture is confusing, and I in no way meant to suggest you should do ANY of the tips listed above while you are driving. Please don’t.
Good evening. Do something every day that you don’t want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain. Help me! Please help find sites for: Find cheap airline tickets, plane tickets, cruises, hotels and all information needed for your trip.. I found only this - Airline Tickets. Save s with orbitz coupons on orbitz airline tickets, vacation packages, cruise deals free hotel night promotions. Featured sites airline tickets agents. Best regards :o, Sally from Sierra.
Thanks for the shout-out Sara - It actually gave away the secret that I refuse to wear makeup most of the time. Here’s another secret… Although I have disdain for wearing makeup, I love to buy it - It’s a bit of an obsession.