Expert tips on how to de-stress your school run, as two fifths of parents struggle
- New research from 100Green reveals that two-fifths (37%) of school runs that could be walked are unnecessarily driven, despite half of parents (47%) saying they want to walk their kids to school more often
- Over the course of the next school year (39 weeks), these drives to school would cause an unnecessary 341,640 tonnes of CO2e - the equivalent of 50,167 flights from London to Australia
- 100Green have also teamed up with counsellor and parenting expert, Georgina Sturmer, to offer 5 tips on how to have a stress-free school run as the summer holidays come to an end.
New research reveals that two-fifths of British parents who can walk their children to school are choosing to drive instead, resulting in an estimated 140 MILLION miles spent on unnecessary school runs across the UK.
The research, from the UK’s only 100% green gas and renewable electricity supplier, 100Green, asked parents across the country about their school-runs and found that two-fifths (38%) of parents find the school run stressful.
The study found that although the majority (80%) of parents are able to walk their children to and from school, two-fifths (37%) still choose to take the journey by car each day.
This is despite half (47%) of parents saying they wish they walked their children to school more often, and 7 in 10 (68%) saying they find the walk to school beneficial for both their own and their children’s mental health.
As the school year begins again, 100Green estimates that these unnecessary drives to school would result in 341,640 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the school year - the same amount of CO2 as a whopping 50,167 return trips from London to Sydney, Australia.
With the summer holidays ending, now is the time to start on any new habits, such a new school run routine. As such, 100Green have teamed up with Georgina Sturmer, Counsellor, MBACP to to offer parents across the UK 5 tried-and-tested tips on how to keep the school run stress-free, simple and green. See below:
- Build in a buffer zone
Georgina says: Being late or in a rush adds an extra layer of stress to a situation. So, try making sure that you add a few minutes as a buffer to your journey if you can. It might feel difficult to leave slightly earlier, but you’ll thank yourself for it if you get stuck in traffic or something unexpected happens.
- Set clear boundaries and responsibilities
Georgina says: If your children are old enough to take on specific responsibilities and follow set timings, then it’s useful to establish some ground rules and boundaries. That way, it’s everyone’s responsibility to get ready in time, and it doesn’t just fall on your shoulders.
- Avoid seeking perfection
Georgina says: We all have an idea of what the perfect family school run might look like. As parents, when we try to seek an idealised perfection, it can make us feel anxious or insecure.
The reality is that we all have good days and bad days, and as parents, we just need to try our best to be ‘good enough’, not perfect. If we can embrace the possibility of imperfection, then it can buy us some time and some energy when we are trying to get everybody ready.
- Think about your own morning routine
Georgina says: It might feel as if mornings are just a process of sorting everybody else out. Is there time to do something for yourself when you start your day?
If so, build it in and make it a non-negotiable. Even if it’s just a long peaceful shower without needing to cater to anyone else’s needs, or a few minutes of screen-free time when you wake up in the morning.
- Build a support network.
Georgina says: Life doesn't always go to plan, and sometimes we need to lean on the support of fellow parents. Be open to the idea of asking for help, and offering it in return.
We might not always need other people’s help, but it can be reassuring to know that it’s there if we need it.
