https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 09:43:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881205 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:16:24 +0000 Mrsbells 2881205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: I would listen to your gut just like @Corduroy: said. Its ok to insist on dropping off or just saying no to him attending altogether </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881163 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 14:03:07 +0000 Corduroy 2881163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: Listen to your gut. You have the best read of the situation. I've also been struggling with defining limits and independence with my 6 year old.</p> <p>We recently let DD ride with people in certain situations. What 'broke the seal' for us was that her Kindergarten field trips (public school) happen in private cars with parent provided car seats. I was nervous about a parent installing 3 unfamiliar carseats and driving a gaggle of kids. I found out afterwards some parents went to the driver's house and installed the car seats themselves. In retrospect I probably would have done that. (Of course I could have signed up to be a driver but my gut said no to that one).</p> <p>Now DD is in an after school program where a mom drives her around. We love the program so I've had to adjust to the driving aspect. This summer I'm hoping to set up carpools to the hodgepodge of summer camp locations we've set up. That will be stretching my comfort to a new level. </p> <p>When DD does ride in someone else's car I do remind her that she must sit properly and not distract the driver. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881154 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:37:25 +0000 KT326 2881154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think carpooling is easier when no car seats are involved. My son is 7 and we either have one more year or less than 6" (haven't measured him lately) until he no longer needs a booster seat. Once that happens I will be happy to let someone else drive him if needed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881153 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:30:33 +0000 Mommy Finger 2881153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 was invited to the movies with a friend for his birthday and the parents picked him up and dropped him off. We confirmed they had a car seat for him and I was ok with it. I've met them a few times.</p> <p>We're actually looking to get a car with a 3rd row specifically so we can start carpooling. Given all of the activities that are starting, it just makes sense to start carpooling and helping each other out. Of course I wouldn't let him go with people I haven't met... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881150 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:09:19 +0000 PinkElephant 2881150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: Why not just drop him at the bowling alley? Would you be comfortable with that?</p> <p>I also only let pretty good friends drive my kids places - and even that is getting tricky, because my oldest isn't quite heavy enough for a booster/seatbelt, where most of her friends (and even their younger siblings) are, so there isn't always a proper carseat available for her. But as my kids get older, and the carseat situation gets less complicated, carpooling definitely makes life easier when it's possible. I really don't mind it for short/non highway drives if it makes my life easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881149 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:02:54 +0000 Andrea 2881149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn’t into it at first, but as the kids get older there are so many things to go to and it’s especially helpful when there a multiple things going on at the same time for my 2 kids. I gladly take carpool offers unless it’s snowing or something like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881142 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:46:38 +0000 Autumnmama79 2881142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: I would tell the other mom, "I'm actually going to the gym/mall/grocery store/whatever right by the bowling alley, I'm happy to drop off and pick up DS! And let me know if I can drive any other kids as well, I have __ extra spots in my car". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881137 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:25:24 +0000 Alba4 2881137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: My son will be 6 this summer. My gut is to politely decline. Or try to invite myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881126 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 10:26:32 +0000 Mrsbells 2881126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: how old is she? My personal rule is aside from in an emergency situation my kids dont go places without me. Especially riding in someone elses car because not everyone takes car safety as seriously as we do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881114 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:39:41 +0000 irene 2881114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww... as you guys grow older there will be more carpool pick ups for playdates. We are 1st grade now, and I have grown to be pretty comfortable with it. Granted I did meet these moms before in different school social occasions and have been acquaintances for roughly a year, I know that they are not psychos and they have their life together (even more together than I do in most cases) . I am never really too worried.</p> <p>That's how everyone does it when they grow older and carpool to soccer/ baseball/ birthday parties...etc. At birthday parties now I am surprised to see one mom dropping off/picking up 4 kids (from different families - sometimes I wonder how do they have so many carseats?!). At school carpool I often see some moms picking up a litter of kids lol. Granted I think the moms grew to be friends or are neighbors but it is going to be a norm as kids grow older.</p> <p>I do have to admit, I was kinda surprised / on the fence when I was offered the very first time. I think it is with moms who have older children, they are so used to it they forgot it could be scary for first time moms :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881112 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:32:51 +0000 Mamatimes3 2881112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. I wouldn’t do it. The only people who have driven my kids are my mom and sister. Maybe if it was a parent I knew well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881107 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:19:55 +0000 Madison43 2881107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It’s commonplace at my daughter’s school (pre-k) for parents to carpool to drop off activities. It made/makes me nervous but do it provided I know the parent (not bffs but least enough to make small talk at pick up), my daughter is ok with it (she almost always is) and they have a car seat that works for us. A lot of kids my daughters age are using belted boosters buts she only weighs 34 lbs and is much too small. It works but we have a small school where we “know” almost everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881106 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:18:11 +0000 Becky 2881106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My practice is just to make sure they have a car seat available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881104 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:14:46 +0000 graceandjoy 2881104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. This hasn't happened to us yet but if it's not family or super close friends, I'd decline politely! So far no one outside of family has driven my kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carpooling#post-2881101 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:11:25 +0000 Alba4 2881101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My oldest child (K) was invited to go bowling with two classmates. One child’s mom (who I don’t know very well) offered to pick him up. This is literally the first time my kid has been invited anywhere without me. I’m not sure if I feel comfortable having another person drive him. Am I being over protective? </p>