If you are a proud member of the parent carpooling club, chances are, you are in charge of driving around a lot of kiddos. You can have tasty snacks, good tunes, and a car full of laughs, but the most important thing is ensuring the kids are getting to school in a safe and timely manner. Use these tips to be prepared for a car full of kiddos this school year!
Set the Standard
Before you put your kids in anyone’s car, it is important to have a safety discussion with each parent to ensure they are upholding your safety standards. If a child is at the age where they must ride in a car seat, make sure a car seat is available. Also, make sure they do not participate in distracted driving, require seatbelts, and provide a safe environment for every kiddo.
When Using Car Seats
If a kid is hopping in your car and they look a little small, it may be that they need to be in a car seat. A good rule of thumb is a child should remain in a booster seat until they are able to fit properly in an adult seatbelt. Before moving out of the car seat phase, a child’s height should be around 4’9, or they should be 8 to 12 years old. Any child under the age of 13 should ride in the backseat.
Have an Emergency Contact List Ready
You never want to think of the worst, but it is important to have an emergency contact on hand for each child that will be riding in your vehicle. This list should include contacts like both parents or guardians, physicians, teachers, and grandparents. Be sure to ask the guardian or parent if the child has any allergies you should be aware of.
You might also like: Save Your Pennies With These Grocery Shopping Hacks
Time to Make a Schedule
A successful carpooling team is only successful with an organized schedule. Use resources like Google Docs or Doodle and have drivers fill in days and times they are unavailable. Make sure that everyone’s car has enough seats to ensure each child will be in a seatbelt.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.