Ah, car loop. If you have kids, you know ALL about it. It tests your patience daily, approximately 10 months out of the year. It's highly likely you get to experience it not just once, but two times daily...when you drop-off your child for school and when you pick them up. Some of us even have the privilege of navigating multiple car loops at multiple schools sites - DAILY!
I'm going to tell you a secret...I LOVE car loop. Yes, really, I do. & yes, you guessed it, I love it because of my where my life has taken me with my red headed wild thing. It's sorta crazy the simple things I've come to appreciate because of him.
Let me explain. Dylan, even at 15, still requires a "hand in hand" transfer for school drop-off and pick-up. Clueless as to what that is? In a nutshell, Dylan can be described as a bolter, runner or a flight risk. All of these things essentially mean the same thing - Dylan, when dropped off anywhere - school, a friends house or any other location - is "at risk" of simply wandering off. If a responsible individual isn't their to "receive" him - the "hand in hand transfer" - it's highly likely Dylan won't get to his destination. He may wander around, looking at things that intrigue him. He's at risk for being kidnapped. He's at risk of getting injured. He doesn't grasp time. He doesn't grasp the potential dangers of crossing a street. These are ever present goals that are worked on continuously, but whether or not understanding and follow through will take place on his end is unknown...it may never happen or may it happen to a degree. only time will tell. So, for the foreseeable future, "hand in hand transfers" it is.
Back to car loop. Dylan is my oldest, but he's got four younger siblings - 11, 8, 7 and 4. Minus our 4 year old, they don't need "hand in hand transfers" for school. I can utilize car loop for them...and even watch from a distance when I drop them off other places that they've gotten in ok, but I get to stay in the car. I don't have to park. I don't have to get out, walk them in, make sure they don't get hit by a car or kidnapped. They KNOW better. Is there risk, of course, but, all in all, they can participate in car loop WITHOUT incident.
Every year, when school resumes, my kids ask me why I don't walk them in and out of school, the way some of the parents of their friends do. My answer is always the same - I'm thankful that I don't have to. I want them to experience independence and responsibility. They know their brother WELL. They know all about his need for "hand in hand transfers" - and they know what will happen if this doesn't happen. We had an incident where Dylan wasn't handed off appropriately and he went missing. It's a day forever etched in my memory.
Yes, I love car loop. I'm thankful that my other kids can participate in it. Our life has lots of stuff that requires thinking and debating and thought. But this is simple and straightforward.
Be thankful for the little things. Be thankful if you have a child who can participate in car loop, even if you do walk them in. Be thankful for the option. Some don't have that option.