Thursday, September 4, 2014

Life in the Carpool Lane

Three pm hits, frantic mothers everywhere pull up to school ensuring the ideal carpool spot and hurriedly shuffle their children into their minivans. Backpacks check, homework check, all children accounted for, check. And they are off! 

Off to after school snacks and getting home work done. Running them to dance, soccer, piano, baseball; these amazing mothers do it with a clockwork like finesse, despite the often harried look in their eyes. Three to six pm becomes the "witching hour" for moms everywhere who cram, micromanage and transport their beloved children. It is simply a beautiful, crazy thing to watch. 

Mothers out there, you are not alone. As I look in the rear view with my car full of kids, some not my own, rushing off to dance, then gymnastics, then back home to make dinner, I get you. I know the harried look, I know the exasperation yet happy busy joy, I am one of you. I understand life in the carpool lane. 



Who knew as mothers we would find ourselves immersed in our children's busy schedules and agendas? My four year old has more entries in my day planner that pertain to her needs than I actually have for me. Times two more busy children and I often feel overwhelmed. I sincerely wish that we could add a few more hours in the day to accomplish everything on the to do list. How satisfying that would be?!

Yet sometimes we need to slow down. Our children will survive if they have a day after school where they don't have an activity to go to. In fact they might thrive even more. I am the queen of extracurricular activities and loooove letting my girls try new things. However I admit I have learned this lesson the hard way. It is perfectly ok to be busy and perfectly ok to have calmer days. Make sure it happens in your house. You all need a day to regroup. 

So mothers out there finagling your minivans into the carpool lane... giving everything you've got to get to the front of the school pick up line. Chill. Our kids will be ok. They will still get where they need to be and your blood pressure will thank you. I have often looked in my rear view with my van full of giggling girls and it has made stop and smile. Motherhood is so busy. Let it be a little less. That might turn out to be a surprisingly wonderful thing too.  -- Brit

96 comments:

  1. Great post for Moms! It's always good to remind people to take the time to take a beat!

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  2. I am living a life in the carpool.... 1 and half hours commute to school today. Ugh. I agree. Slowing down would be so nice.

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  3. Such a wonderful post! We all need to slow down!

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  4. Cute!! You're such an amazing mom :)

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  5. I couldn't agree more! I have often seen that look in other mothers faces and it seems very stressful. I am not a mother myself but I do know the key to life is balance so your advice is perfect!

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  6. Your post couldn't be more accurate. It is nice to just slow down and breath sometimes.

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  7. 3 kids, 3 carpool runs with 4 kids that aren't mine, and soccer 7 days a week. I look forward to the off season, but I also love seeing the joy on the kids' faces when they get that time to chat with their buddies.

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  8. I felt like I lived in the car for a few hours every day. There's so much running to be done!

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  9. It's also good to remind people that there are carpools of Moms out there on the streets with a van-load of kids and to slow down and be more careful. Great Post! I do remember when! I envy you. You'll have many good memories too. I promise~! :)

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    1. Oh I know! I have lots of good memories! It's going by too fast!

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  10. What a great post for parents! I think they need to be reminded that they can slow down a little and take some time for themselves. It's not selfish!

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  11. I used to feel like I was on the road all the time! I have really slowed down and keep my schedule clear of as much as I can.

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  12. Very funny post. As parents we get so carried away with getting to school, gymnastics, soccer class, and all other classes on time. We just need to chill sometimes.

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  13. Hello My Name is Michelle and I am a....CARPOOL MOM. I am glad there is a place for us to confess our overachieving little hearts out.

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    1. Lol for sure Michelle! I love my crazy life but venting is essential:)

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  14. It's amazing how busy are kids are today. I was never so busy as a kid. I think they have more of a social life than many adults. LOL

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  15. This is a great post for both mothers and fathers. No one ever tells you how incredibly difficult it is to raise kids.

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  16. Great post! Mothers really are super woman :)

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  17. Haha, I totally can relate! Although, my schedule is a little more forgiving as my child is still in preschool! Great storytelling! <3

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  18. This is an excellent reminder to slow down. I think we all forget that rushing around is just stressful and doesn't accomplish much.

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  19. regardless of being a mother.. i think everyone can get caught up in the hustle and bustle.. and it's such a good reminder to slow down.

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    1. Life is so busy for so many of us! Thx for the reminder:)

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  20. Great advice mama… life full of events and activities, with a frazzled, stressed out mom isn't what the kiddos want either. Plus it won't stay enjoyable for mom either. Gotta pace yourself indeed!

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  21. I do need to slow down and see each day for what it is. I recognize this but struggle with actually doing it!

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    1. Oh so do I Stefany. One day at a time:). Thx for reading!

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  22. I don't live in the car pool lane. We tried the after school activities but they just weren't for us. No one enjoyed them, not even the kids.

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    1. You are smart to keep it simple;) thx for reading!

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  23. I'm lucky my husband likes to do pick up for our daughter and she only has one after school activity but that day is pretty hectic.

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  24. Seriously, enjoy the moments instead of thinking of the stress! We homeschool our kids - no pickup lines for us! Even then, our schools have busses and those kids that live too close just walk.

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    1. You are amazing! I wish I had the skills to home school!

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  25. Love this! I imagine I'll totally be one of those hands on moms that volunteers for everything and it'll definitely catch up to me.. I'll keep this in mind :)

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    1. It is totally fun to be a hands on mom and my kids love it! Too much can be too stressful on everyone tho. Thx for reading!:)

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  26. As they get older I think it gets a lil easier

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  27. Being a mom is definitely hard!! Love this honest post!

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  28. I like the way you wrote this. I've been running kids around since 1990 and I still have two little kids, so this year I took a break. No gym, or sports or dance until after Christmas. I just can't do it without passing out.

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    1. Lol Sharon! You sound busy busy:) thx for reading!

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  29. Some times we really do need a brake to just sit and look at all our blessings in life. We all seem to feel the need to get everything done quick. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. My son is just starting school and already life feels so hectic. Thank you for the reminder that it's okay to slow down!

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  31. I think you must gave wrote this about me! Constantly on the go!

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  32. I can't even imagine having kids to look after too at the moment. I have so much on everyday I barely have time for my poor boyfriend and he lives with me!

    Katie <3

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  33. What a great post and reminder for Moms. You aren't alone, even if you may feel like it at times.

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    1. Oh I am sure a lot of moms out there can relate :) thx for reading!

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  34. motherhood is really a wonderful things and experience! we just gotta stop sometimes and think how lucky we are enjoying these life with our kids

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  35. I guess this is what I have to look forward to in the next few years! :)

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  36. I have a five year old and a three year old and I am definitely not looking forward to the minivan wars. I do take a more laid back attitude on things -- that it will happen, my kids will be ok, and life will move on.

    Thrifting Diva
    www.thriftingdiva.com

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    1. Good for you, I need to be more like that. Thx for reading!

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  37. My kids would love a go,go,go lifestyle but we have limited the kids to two activities + school functions (monthly skate nights, etc). I have to hold onto my sanity with both hands. Some days are just crazy without all the outside demands.

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    1. Andrea that is an awesome idea! Thx for sharing ( and reading:)

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  38. I'm trying really, REALLY hard to live a little more "slow." Being in the moment and enjoying what's here right now because I know it'll be over so quick. Thanks for the reminder!

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  39. This is great! My niece always has something to do just about every night, but we make sure our kids aren't feeling over scheduled & get to just be kids.

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  40. There's no break when you are a busy mom. Being able to stop and enjoy the giggles is what makes us even more amazing! Cheers Brit!!

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  41. Your feelings on this are dead on. I have a book that I love called "Minimalism Parenting". It's pretty awesome.

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    1. I will have to check that book out, thanks Jessica!

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  42. What a great post - so true, we all need to slow down and take a break!

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  43. I love this and love your blog! I am one of those moms and like you I learned the hard way. I now limit the activities. I now know sometimes they need cuddles and vegging. My kids thrive more from family time than extra curriculars. Took me a long time to see this. So now we do one or two things at a time for each kid. It's still a lot but much less than it used to be.

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    1. Thanks Christen! I hear ya! And thanks so much, I am new at this blogging thing and appreciate the kind words:)

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  44. Love this! Life in the car pool lane! It's so exciting to have them experience new things and want them to have all the experiences that they can but with more than 1 kid a mama with out some me time would go Cray so I agree lol Chill your kids and you are going to be awesome!!! great post!

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  45. I don't know how you all do it. Moms amaze me.

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  46. This is a great post.Kids need free time to relax. Activities are great but we all need down time.

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  47. Loved this post! Less is def more in motherhood more times than not :)

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  48. Loved the concept of "carpool lane moms". Never heard that, even though I lived through that stage. :D

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  49. Not looking forward to this once I start to have kids. I remember how much stressed I caused my parents.

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  50. I can't wait for all this! ( i say that now right ;)) I have a 15month old so i'm enjoying being a SAHM with her now but can't wait til I can start signing her up for dance classes or sports!

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  51. I feel you.. haha but good thing is that I only have 2.. Making life a little less complicate.. hahaha though there are times that when the two girls are demanding of something at the same time, i go nuts! haha

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  52. I used to be one of those harried moms. Thankfully, it does get better as the kids grow up and become more independent.

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