Today we’re looking at car-pools. So far we’ve covered how to start organizing a car-pool and rules to follow.
There are alternatives to the tradional car-pool that you may want to consider as well. Not everything has to be about driving. You might consider a…
Walking-pool – where parents set days to walk a group of kids to and from school or other activities.
Bike-pool – same as walking, but of course on bikes (or scooters).
Long-term pools – a long term pool might be that one or two parents handle transport for a week at a stretch. Then new parents take over the …read more

In the previous post we looked at how to start organizing a car-pool. In this post we’ll continue with this; looking at rules and information you’ll need to discuss at your car-pool parent meeting.
Information to discuss: All parents need to know the following about the other parents; someone should keep notes and then make up a chart for the other parents.

Full name of parent driving
Home, work, & cell number
Address – home and work
Available days and times to car-pool
Number of kids in family who will be included in the car-pool.
Size of car – i.e how many kids will safely fit in …read more

Now that the school year is here, many parents will join up with a car-pool, or create a new group. Today we’ll be looking at car-pool basics, rules, and alternatives to the traditional car-pool.
If you’re considering organizing a car-pool, here are some tips:
Plan for diligent or casual: A diligent car-pool means parents pick up or drop off kids no matter what; even if their own kids are sick. Usually someone in this car-pool group has an official list created with dates and times. A casual car-pool is, well, casual. In casual car-pool groups I’ve seen, parents sometimes put planning off …read more

If you’ve been slacking about getting your kid’s lunch box – you’re almost out of time. In some states you are out of time, but we’ll assume you’ve got a couple of days. Here are some last minute lunch box options…
Concentrate Fruit Friendly Lunch Box from John Lewis – holds fruit safely! Very cool.

Lunch & Go Lunchbox from Aladdin.

Double Lunch Box (with name added) from Letterbox.

Find more… (including many eco-choices)

If you have little kids who tend to have less complicated homework invest in something like the Alex Toys Car Valet:

This way the kids can start (and maybe even finish) their homework on the drive home, which of course saves time for family time, chores, dinner, and more once at home. Bonus, you’re right there to answer questions – just don’t get too distracted with math problems – sometimes math and driving don’t mix.

I love this lunch tote, and since it’s on sale, and it is back-to-school time, I figured I’d suggest it. Seriously, folks it’s on sale for UNDER $6. Yay.

This lunch tote is not available in orange anymore (sadness) but it is available in a spiffy green color. What I love is that it’s got cool storage features – like mesh pockets to hold food, and that cool clear pocket on the front. The clear pocket comes with a postcard of an artwork from MoMA’s collection, which is slick in itself, but I was thinking your child could also use it …read more

Kids can lag like nobodies business; a fact I did not know before I had my son. Someone should put that in baby how-to books, the, “Beware, kids lag forever” chapter.
In any case when it comes to back to school days, lagging is the last thing a busy family needs. To cut back on whining, feet dragging, and a general laze about attitude try the following:

Have them complete least favorite tasks first: If little Billy likes to eat first and then drag around finding school clothes, have him get dressed then eat.
If your little one is having issues with even …read more

With back to school time just around the corner we’ll be looking at some back to school tips this month. If your kids are in school, and you drive them to school, you can save time by making a car school station box.
Grab a box, and fill it up with basics – pencils, pens, a box of colored pencils, dividers, a few notebooks, some filler paper, and whatever other school-necessary items you can think of. This way if your kid forgets something, and you’re halfway to school, you can dive into the box instead of driving home. With school supplies …read more