'We're busting a gut at school pick up but some mums take it too far'

"Geez ladies, relax! Way to make us look bad."

If you thought picking your kids up at school instead of making them take the bus or walk made you a 'Good Mum', I’d generally agree with you.

But nowadays that’s the kind of move that will get you labelled Type B - just.

Because apparently the REAL 'Good Mums', the Type A Organised Mums, are arriving 30 minutes early - not for a car spot, but to wait at the classroom door for their kids. 

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"Pick up has gone OTT"

Geez ladies take it easy! Way to make us look bad.

We’re busting a gut to get there before the car park's full, but you've taken pick up OTT.

If I arrive on time and get a spot in the shade, I’m patting myself on the back. But after a few weeks this year of leaving earlier and earlier so the cherubs don’t have to walk and lug all their stuff down to get in the car in ‘the dodgy spot’ as they call it, I’ve finally figured out I’m playing a losing game.

Because, according to my sleuthing, in a move that screams “my kids are not embarrassed of me”, the 'high achievers' are leaving so early they get a car park AND walk up to wait for dismissal at the classroom door.

I’m shook. Genuinely to my core, that you have enough time in the day? And I’m envious. I bet your washing's done, too.

But while I’m sitting here impressed and in awe I do have to wonder how the teachers feel about it.

Image: Supplied

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"Just do the drive through pick up like everyone else"

I know if my mum were up at the classroom door when I was a kid there’s no way I would have been able to continue paying attention. Nor would I have had to (unless she made me) because in terms of hierarchy mum beats teacher.

A little investigation online confirms my suspicions that the teachers are ticked about this after-school habit.

“It makes the last five to 10 minutes of class impossible,” lamented one primary school teacher.

“Ugh it’s the same at our school,” commented another. 

“And for what? So you can stand outside in heat? Get in the car, enjoy the last few minutes of peace in your aircon! Not only are you hogging the car park but you’re distracting my kid!"

Yep - just do the drive through pick up like everyone else.

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"And what about kids' safety?"

The bigger concern here is the safety aspect. Because while we all love sharing in our children's lives and having them proudly show us their work in the classroom, as soon as the kids move into the school yard it’s difficult for teachers to tell who’s a parent/guardian and who’s not.

Part of the reason the rule of picking up and dropping off at the gate rule survived COVID was because it makes it easier for teachers to monitor who’s collecting the kids. That extra layer of security gives many of us a little reassurance.

This may be part of why some parents like to go right up to the classroom to wait for their kids, and I sure don’t begrudge them that.

I’ll be spending some time to say hello to these eager mums is because for one thing I need the positive influence, but for another maybe they can be an extra set of eyes on my kids until I finally nab a space in the car park.

Originally published as 'We're busting a gut at school pick up but some mums take it too far'