Why are people so ignorant at my child's school in carpool?

Question

Most people have to work. I take my girls to school. My hubby picks them up. Everyday in carpool a parent blocks the lane by parking or getting out to talk to someone. One woman was just sitting in carpool on her cell phone and other people had to go around her. At first, I thought something was wrong with her car but she was laughing and talking on the phone and drove off.

During carpool this morning, this guy got out of his car just to brush his son's hair!! People were just sitting waiting for him to move. It was like he was oblivious to the others around him. I blew my horn three times and he had the nerve to gesture that I go around! I couldn't move if I wanted to.

The school staff just stands there like their afraid. It makes no sense. What should I do?

Answer 1

Drop your kids off on the corner and avoid the hassle.

Answer 2

its the same with the elementary school on my street.  i HAVE to pass it to get out of the community, and all these "kiss and ride" parents just do whatever they want : double parking, blocking the road, letting their kids run in and out of traffic.  today i got cut off - i was going straight past the school, the cars in front of me turn right to get into the parking lot, and this j******f coming from the other direction just flat out turned left right in front me me (even tho i had been waiting patiently for my turn to go) cutting me, and wasnt even able to pull into the parking lot because there were so many cars so he just blocked the whole road.  its like wtf?!?  whats even worse is there is a cop that works the intersection one block up, and yet they wont get anyone to direct traffic AT the school.  

seriously, i'm begining to think that drop off shouldnt be allowed.  there are busses.  i know for a fact that many of these parents live NEAR the bus stops, but they choose to drive their kids the 10 blocks to school.  

Answer 3

watch the movie "mr. Mom"  they have a funny scene when he screws up the pick up lane. It may help you relax.

I worked in a school for 10 years and every day and parents do stupid things in the pick up lane, "drive off without child"etc.

We finally banned cell phones fromt he pick up lane.

Answer 4

It is the same at our school too.  I wish they would just make the rule that driver needs to stay in driver's seat in the dropoff lane. Or, park on the street and walk your precious little one to school.

and, it makes me more mad when people say "be patient", "factor in a few extra minutes", "if this is making you mad, then you have other problems", "do not honk" and what takes the cake, is "set a good example for your kid". I think the slow-poke parents need to set a better example for their kids about being considerate of others.

We have small kids running everywhere in the parking lot, and any person in a car who has to brake to avoid them, is glared as if just because one is in a car, it is their fault.

Mentioning it in the newsletter, school staff patrolling the dropoff lane ec. have no effect. Uniformed staff can be there only for a few days, and then it goes back to the usual chaos.

There, I feel better already.  Thanks for posting this.

Answer 5

It's part of the game, you will one day also block traffic for some unforseen reason, so treat people how you would want to be treated in that circumstance, that is a good example for your kids, not everyone is perfect, and this includes you.

Answer 6

They do it all the time, but I think if they are going to take 5 minutes saying bye to their kids they need to park the car and walk the kid up to the school entrance.  

Answer 7

I would talk to the school about it. The teachers may be afraid to say something directly to the parents but if you make you complaints known they may be willing to put a note in every students bookbag for all the parents so no one feels singleld out or they may be able to put up a car pool sign asking parents not to linger for the consideration. that would p**s me off too and kidos to you for not blowing up and embarassing your child!

Answer 8

Take some deep breaths and turn on a song you like on the radio.  And lay off the horn unless there's about to be an imminent accident.  Road rage at school drop-off isn't going to help anybody.  If a 1 minute delay is really going to make you late for work, get there five minutes earlier.  Or leave a little space between you and the car in front of you so that you can get around if necessary.  

Our school drop-off lane can be frustrating, too.  There's always the one irritating person who decides to park and go into the building.  But really if you're getting that frustrated about the time someone is brushing their kid's hair or getting them out of a stuck seatbelt or soothing a kid who suddenly was struck with terror about going into the building or something, you need to relax.  It's not going to slow you down more than the time waiting at a red light or two somewhere along the way.  Build it into your travel time.  Patience is a good virtue to model for your kids.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Try to show a good example.  I do.

I go through exactly what you describe, twice a day.

I also happen to be very sensitive and don't take it well, but i project an attitude of friendliness and common interest/needs to the others.  90 percent will respond well.  If only they knew what i really think behind my smile, wave and 'you first' gestures.

The staff are busy enough and this never was their concern.  They can not get involved.

If you have no success, the principal will send a memo home with every student.  It can be done the hard way.  Good luck & safety first!

Answer 11

Either get there earlier. or be more patient.