Aussie mum asks question we’re all thinking about school pick-up

An Aussie mum has gone viral after asking the question every parent has about school pick-up time.

For many working mums, the school pick-up time is a logistical nightmare.

Office jobs typically run from 9 to 5, making the 3.15pm school pick-up a challenge.

This leaves many parents scrambling to juggle their work and their children’s schedules, which often requires negotiating flexible working hours, after-school care, or help from family and friends.

Aussie mum Kat Sholfield recently shared her frustrations on TikTok in a candid video, as reported by Kidspot.

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The school pick-up conundrum

In the clip, Ms Sholfield asked: “What job do you have where you can pick your kids up from school at 3.15pm?”

“I’m genuinely curious. Every job I know is 9 to 5 or 8 to 4, but there is a cr*pload of parents picking their kids up at 3.15 at school,” she continued.

She captioned the post: “Whatever it is, I’d be keen!”

Aussie mum Kat Sholfield went viral for asking: 'What job do you have where you can pick your kids up from school at 3.15pm?' Picture: TikTok

'I’m genuinely curious. Every job I know is 9-5 or 8-4, but there is a crapload of parents picking their kids up at 3.15 at school.' Picture: TikTok

‘I pick my hours’

Ms Sholfield’s video quickly went viral, sparking a range of responses from parents who shared what their jobs are.

“I’m a mortgage broker admin 9:30am to 2pm. The school-hour jobs are rare but definitely out there. You have to be one of the first to apply because they come up and go very quickly,” one commenter wrote.

“I can list what my school mum friends do that makes them available at pick up: Lawyer (own practice), tech start-up, two marketing managers, architect, CRT teacher, photographer, nurse and bookkeeper,” another viewer said.

“Hospital cleaner. 6am-2:30pm,” one user shared, while someone else replied, “Support worker. I pick my own hours.”

Some parents said it comes down to working for businesses that offer flexibility. Picture: iStock

‘It’s not the job it’s the employer’

Some parents said it comes down to working for businesses that offer flexibility.

“Don’t work for a company that isn’t flexible. Set a standard now,” one advised.

“It’s not the job it’s the employer. I work hybrid,” another said.

“Work from home, duck out to pick up kids, go home and back to work,” another mum advised.

And for those in childcare, early shifts can be a solution: “Childcare open shift, 6:30am to 2:30pm.”

Despite the varied responses, the struggle was still real for a lot of parents, who agreed with Ms Sholfield.

“The amount of parents able to drop off and pick up absolutely astounds me,” one said.

“Yeah it’s hard. I’m a nurse, and it’s not school-friendly.”

This article originally appeared on Kidspot and was reproduced with permission