Are you responsible for the family lifting? It’s much more stressful than the uninitiated think, isn’t it? If you’re just getting started, brace yourself for a bumpy ride. Here are some rules for operating ‘mom’s taxi’ without losing your sanity.
Practice traffic Zen
You’ll be on the road during the most trafficky times of every weekday. You may as well take a deep breath and accept it. Road rage is no good to anyone, least of all the kids in your car. Explaining the hand signal and colourful language you’ve exchanged with the guy in the next car to an inquisitive 9-year-old can be awkward.
Be organised
Print a weekly schedule of your drop-off and collection times and stow it in your wallet or handbag. This may take a little effort, but it’s an invaluable resource. Scout out the most effective routes to your destinations, and learn the alternatives in case of congestion.
Prepare for the munchies
There’s nothing worse than a sugar low while stuck in traffic. Keep a stash of long-life snacks in your car to fight off hunger pangs. Go for dried fruit and nuts, and you’ll avoid the expensive and unwholesome practice of filling up on petrol station pies and chocolate bars. Don’t forget a bottle or two of tap water.
Think strategically
Combine multiple trips by doing the shopping just before you do the afternoon school pick-up, or popping into the post office while your child is at their music lesson. Sometimes it’s best to just hang-ten at one venue before delivering your charges to the next. Bring a book or laptop to help you pass the time.
Provide entertainment
Shunting children from one place to the next can be mind-numbingly dull. There’s only so much music and talk radio you can listen to, so add some interesting podcasts and audio books to your on-board entertainment menu. Also remember that this is can be great family time, so allow your kids to regale you with tales of their day.
Creature comforts
There are few things less appealing than spending hours in a confined space that is either freezing cold, stiflingly hot, or redolent of the fumes emanating from sweaty teenagers. A supply of issues, moisturiser and wet wipes, as well as a working air conditioner make a huge difference.
Call in the cavalry
From a certain age, there is no shame in letting your children wait after school or soccer practice – it’ll teach them the virtue of patience – but sometimes you have to concede defeat and admit you’re not going to make it there on time. That’s when it’s crucial to call on a network of other parents, family members and friends who can step up at short notice to provide emergency lifts.
Outsource
When things get hectic, consider a ride-share arrangement with other parents. For older and more mature kids, explore the option of an Uber. Your child won’t need to carry any cash, and you can request the pick-up, enter the destination and monitor their whereabouts from your phone.
There’s an app for that
If you’re already part of a lift club, download the smartphone app ‘MommyTaxi’, which allows you to manage ride schedules and communicate with other participating parents. It lets you track your child’s location from your phone while they’re en route. If you run a ‘mom’s taxi’ business, try the ‘Mom’s Taxi’ app, which serves as a customisable, GPS-enabled taxi meter which will estimate ‘fares’ for every ride you provide.
* Andreas is a freelance writer with a PhD in geochemistry. Follow him on twitter @Andreas_Spath
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