https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:41:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837382 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 15:15:33 +0000 birdofafeather 2837382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on doing this with a parent on my street as well as a friend whose son goes to the same preschool as my toddler. But I imagine it to be pretty casual at first until we get into a routine. And if it wasn’t gonna work that morning/afternoon, I imagine all it takes is a text to say kid is sick, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837340 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 13:56:04 +0000 hitchhiker 2837340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a scooter &amp; bike gang that "commutes" together to our neighborhood school each morning. I don't know the specifics, but I think they treat it like a car pool - the parents rotate responsibility for shepherding the kids to school each morning. It clearly creates a nice sense of community for them. We only live a block away, so we'll just walk, and honestly I'm a little sad we can't get in on the action. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837339 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 13:55:23 +0000 jennlin821 2837339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Portland Maine had a pilot project called the walking school bus that was a huge success. Here is the link. Its not interchangeable with you idea, but i'm putting it out there just for reference!</p> <p><a href="https://eastend.portlandschools.org/for_parents/for_students/walking_school_bus" rel="nofollow">https://eastend.portlandschools.org/for_parents/for_students/walking_school_bus</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837338 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 13:55:09 +0000 misolee 2837338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@corduroy<br /> Oh if you know the parents then go for it! It’s a good idea. Just not between strangers like that other mom :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837335 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 13:41:50 +0000 Mrsbells 2837335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: I personally wouldnt want to wait on other kids since some can run late etc... I also wouldn't want to be dependent on other peoples personal schedules, sick days etc so for me it would be a no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837326 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:57:37 +0000 Corduroy 2837326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: I should have mentioned that I know almost all the parents. They are my emergency contacts but that's because they know my kids well. The mom that approached you was pretty forward. But since I don't have family in the area or know people with an abundance of carseats I get it. Those forms are a struggle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837322 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:42:02 +0000 Becky 2837322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really like this idea. There are definitely groups that walk together in our neighborhood but it’s typically led by an older kid and they only walk like 2-3 blocks (we live in WNY so weather is bad most of the year and lots of parents drop off in elementary school)., so parents can stay home with younger sibs or whatever they need to do. I’m guessing they just shoot a text to another parent if so and so won’t be going to school. Everyone lives so close that it would be nbd if they had to bring their own kids one day that wasn’t there’s or if the big kid was sick. I also think schools would really encourage this (efforts to promote walking school buses are often supported by state ed) so you could even ask the principal if there’s and existing structure in place that would help you find families to do this with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837320 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:35:03 +0000 misolee 2837320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter starts K this week too. At open house, I met this mom who says she lives in our neighborhood (we have over like 200 homes) and she asked if she could put me down as emergency pickup and if we could carpool. Like I just met her. Kids are not even in the same class. I was a little put off. I would wait until you get to know the moms before coordinating something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837318 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 12:19:05 +0000 Truth Bombs 2837318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I imagine those moms walk together because they are friends and enjoy catching up with each other each morning. Since you're new to the school age crowd, I would walk with others for a while and see if there's even a desire to consolidate drop off duties before stepping in and suggesting this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837312 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:42:38 +0000 codeitall 2837312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think at most 3 moms, a larger group would be too unwieldy.</p> <p>But I think it is an AWESOME idea! I walked to and from school with a neighbor girl and we stayed friends through college even though we hung out in different circles. Once they get a little older, they'll have a routine in place and hopefully can be self-sufficient! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837302 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:06:16 +0000 jennlin821 2837302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it sounds like a great idea!<br /> I think you would have to set it up just like a carpool. When I was in middle school there were three moms who drove 4-5 kids every morning. I think it worked like this:</p> <p>Each mom drove for a whole week - even if their child was sick. If the kid wasn't standing next to the car by a certain time, carpool left without them.</p> <p>So yes it would take coordination, but I think its a great idea! My other concern is safety. Crossing streets, kids fighting and pushing, 1 mom without enough hands.<br /> So perhaps you could do it in pairs? Or could you also get that rope thing that daycares use? Here is a link for visual reference: <a href="https://images.kaplanco.com/catalog/largepopup/26342.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://images.kaplanco.com/catalog/largepopup/26342.jpg</a></p> <p>Let us know if it works out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837299 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:52:21 +0000 erinbaderin 2837299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would involve a lot of coordination and would be unwieldy - what if your kid is sick, you’ll have to let somebody know? What if you’re sick and it’s your day? If somebody is late do you leave without them? I’d be reluctant to commit to such a plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837291 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 09:25:39 +0000 looch 2837291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's nuts, but what I have learned is that the bigger the group, the harder it is to coordinate. It probably works with the pairs because the moms and kids are friends.</p> <p>Are you friendly with these parents? I know this comes across as terrible, but I would only consider it if I were friends with the moms in a way that we were understanding about the pitfalls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/walking-to-school-in-a-group#post-2837266 Wed, 01 Aug 2018 08:07:29 +0000 Corduroy 2837266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anybody do a walking school bus or coordinate with neighbors to walk to school as a group? What about it works well or is stressful?</p> <p>LO will be starting K next month. We have a lot of kids in our neighborhood going to the same school. I see the SAHMs walk their kids together in pairs. I’d like to propose that each family take a day of the week and walk all the kids (about 5 kids kindergarten- 2nd.) Am I nuts? Are mornings too chaotic to coordinate doing this? </p> <p>School is 6 blocks away up a small hill. We’re in CA so weather is rarely a factor. </p>