5 lesson from the pick up line at school

I have a 4th grader who we get to drop off and pick up every day from her elementary school. I am shocked by parent's behavior as we drive through or wait for our kids in the drop off and pick up lines. I thought I would share with you 5 things I have learned about life in 5 1/2 years of time in this line.

1. FOLLOW the Rules; You would think this is something grow adults would understand, yet every day I see parents going around cones, going through the cross guards flags, making up parking spots, honestly the list could go on and on. In life, I am generally a rule follower, I am not always innocent of driving the exact speed, yet no one is perfect. When you do not follow the rules it so often leads to trouble, maybe not right away, it always seems to get you in trouble with someone eventually. Plus it is very irritating for those of us who have to see you do something stupid and put yourself or others in harm. So in life following the rules can be a good thing, most of the time they are rules for a reason!

2. Early Bird Gets the Parking Spot: I like the pick up area because no matter your status in life we are equal in the pick up lane. No one has a reserved spot because the are cute and rich (at least that I know about). We all wait in line in the order we came. All of our kids are released at the same time, they do not choose the smart kids to leave first. Equality can cause you to "up" your game and get there early if you want a good spot.

3. Be Nice: Courtesy is something we so lack in the world. A smile, pulling forward so another car can fit in, and thinking of others can make someones day. I can still tell you the rude mom that yelled at me for making a mistake in parking when my daughter was in 1st grade. It is hard to make up from a bad 1st impression.

4. To Meet People you Must Get Out of Your Car: Friendships can not start unless you go say hi. If you want to make friends you must go out and take a chance.  You must be willing to take a risk and you also need to learn to invest in others.  I have made many great friends while waiting for my daughter -  in swim lessons, in the pick up line at school, at a sporting event - where in life could you be meeting people because you are both "waiting"?
*side note - if you stay in your car you may not make friends but you can stay in your jammie pants.

5. They are Watching You: your kids are watching every move you make especially in high stress situations like the pick up line. They will mimic every thing you do in that line, or the grocery line, or the way you treat the waitress. When you hear them repeat what you said or the action you did will they be in trouble or will you be proud of them?

My 2  challenges to you:
1. Think about what example are you setting for others around you. Is it time for a change?

2. How do you spend your time in the "pick up lane"? Should you be investing friends or maybe, what I do, I spend my down time taking a breathe (and letting my worries and stresses of my work day go), so when my daughter gets in the car I am ready to listen to her day.