The ultimate guide to the school run for parents

Everything you need to know to make the school run as smooth and stress-free as possible

Anyone who has attempted the school run in the past knows how difficult it can be.

From waking the kids up and sorting breakfast, to making sure bags are packed, lunches are made and everyone is in the car on time, school mornings bring their own special sort of stress.

But there’s hope – with some small changes, you can make your life that little bit easier.

We’ve pulled together the ultimate guide to the school run for parents, with all the tips you need to make school mornings an absolute breeze. 

School run tips and advice for parents

From preparation the night before to staying calm on the journey, these practical strategies will transform chaotic mornings into smooth starts to the day.

Let's take the stress out of school mornings together.

Fuel up in advance

For most of us, life is about convenience.

If the fuel station is on the way to school, it can seem like a no brainer to fill up on the way. But a pitstop is only going to add time to your journey, and it’s another thing to remember on top of the endless things going around your head as a busy parent.

Do your future self a favour and fill up in advance.

You’ll have one less thing to remember on a school morning, you’ll get to feel smug at being prepared, and if you’re running a little late, the fuel gauge won’t add to the stress. 

Make sure your car is clean and well looked after

Mess creates stress.

If the inside of your car is littered with toys, snacks and other items that come with kids, you’ll be ruining the morning’s calm before it’s even started.

To keep a sense of zen, make sure to not only keep on top of your car’s cleanliness, but also make sure it’s in good working order. Adding a maintenance package to your car lease can help spread the cost of those little extras, and give you the peace of mind that your car is always ready when you are.

With a clean and well-maintained car, you'll be in the best position to get to school without a breakdown. 

Whether that’s you, or the car.

Know your route

If you’re new to the area or your kids have switched schools, you might not be that familiar with the route.

To prep yourself for first-day success, familiarise yourself with the school run ahead of time so that come Monday morning, you’re not lost down a back road with the clock ticking down to 9am.

Doing a couple of dry runs before going back to school will help you understand how much time you actually need, and when you need to leave to get there on time.

Check road closures the night before

Nothing incites fury quite like being in a rush and coming across a road closure.

While you can’t change a closure, you can make sure you’re prepared for a diversion by checking the night before. That way, if there is an issue, you can plan an alternative route and factor in any additional time it’ll take.

You might even find a shortcut in the process of exploring other routes…

It’s also worth figuring out the parking situation beforehand. Whether school has a carpark, or a system in place – find out first to avoid the sudden onset of anxiety when you turn up and have no clue what’s going on.

Prep the night before

Half the morning battle is locating the schoolbooks, bags, shoes and uniforms your kids need each morning.

Make this process much easier by prepping the night before.

When your little angels get home, make sure they put all their bits in the right place straightaway. Shoes on the rack, books in the bag, bags on the hook – if everything has a place, and everything is in its place, you’ll avoid the ‘I can’t find it!’ in the morning.

While you can’t avoid every headache (like when they ask for their food tech ingredients five minutes before you need to leave), you can give yourself a fighting chance.

Utilising your evening wisely can also make sure that not only are the kids prepared for the day ahead, but so are you.

You could go as far as getting everything out ready for breakfast. Cutlery, bowls and even cereal – make breakfast time a breeze every morning.

Prepping any packed lunches, making sure bags are packed, and that uniforms are ready the night before, will save you some oh-so-important time in the morning too.

Protect your windscreen from frost

It’s winter and you’re on time after following these small yet effective tips. You get outside and bam. Your windscreen is frozen. So now you have to spend at least five minutes defrosting it while the kids complain “it’s too cold”.

Well, you can prevent this annoying surprise by chucking on a windscreen cover the night before.

Or if this isn’t possible, you can nip out while the kids are eating breakfast and de-ice the car quickly.

Use calendars and planners

A parent’s life is chock-a-block with dates and things to remember, especially when it comes to school.

From homework, to school fairs, to non-uniform days, it can be tricky to keep on top of it all.

A big calendar hung where everyone can see it, marked with all the important dates, can help eliminate the stress of realising you’ve forgotten something, and help make sure your kids have everything they need each day.

Maintain a strict bedtime routine

You’ll be fighting a losing battle if your kids aren’t well-rested in the first place.

Maintaining a strict bedtime routine on school nights can be a life saver, allowing your kids to get a restful night and plenty of good sleep, making the wake up in the morning easier for everyone involved.

Routines don’t need to be fancy, they just need to have a few set steps that they do before bed each night to help them wind down, ready to sleep.

Brush teeth, a hug to say good night, then lights off – it can be as simple as that.

Teach your kids how to get themselves ready

At the end of the day, you’ve only got two hands.

By teaching your kids the basics of getting themselves ready in the morning, even if that’s just putting their uniforms in an easy place and letting them get themselves dressed, it gives you one less thing to worry about.

Older kids can be much more self-sufficient, and even get their own breakfast ready (with a little pre-preparing), which leaves you more room to sort out any younger children.

Teaching them how to look after themselves is vital for when they’re older.

Make a ‘no screens in the morning’ rule

Distractions are the bane of any parents’ life when you’re trying to wrangle the kids into their uniforms and out of the door.

Having phones out, or even just Bluey playing in the background, can steal the kids’ attention and make it near-impossible to get everyone ready on time.

Making the rule early on and sticking to it will make sure everyone knows where they stand. TV and screens can be an after-school treat, if you so wish.

Give yourselves some buffer time

No matter how long it takes, give yourself an extra 10 minutes or so for the journey.

You never know when you might come up against some bad traffic, or an interesting snail to point at if you have an adventurous toddler. A little extra time gives you that extra breathing space, knowing you’re not going to be five minutes late to the school gate.

Remember to breathe

When all is said and done, remember to take a few deep breaths.

The stress of the school run can easily get the better of you if you let it.

If you’re calm during the morning, they’re likely to pick up on that and will be more likely to follow suit and listen to you.

School run success: You've got this

The school run doesn't need to be the most stressful part of your day. With a little planning and these simple tips, you'll be cruising through those weekday mornings with ease.

Remember, it's all about making life easier for yourself. Whether that's prepping the night before, keeping your car in tip-top condition, or simply giving yourself a little extra time – these small changes can make a world of difference.

And while we can't promise your children will never lose a shoe five minutes before you need to leave, we can promise that implementing even a few of these tips will take some stress out of your morning routine.

So, take a deep breath, fill up that tank, and tackle the school run like the pro parent you are. You've got this – and we're here to help you stay miles ahead of the morning chaos.