Almost every parent I know feels like there aren't enough hours in the day to finish the to-do list. If you pick up your kids from school, chances are you are spending 20-45 minutes sitting in the carpool pick-up line every afternoon.
Of course, you can spend that time scrolling down your Facebook newsfeed or playing Candy Crush, but here are some other ideas to help you make the most of that time.
1.) Plan Your Next Vacation
Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Winter Break will all be here before you know it. Shop now to get the best deals! Not sure where to go? Our Travel & Adventure Reviews have lots of ideas. Many of our articles have suggestions about where to eat and what to do to make your planning even easier!
2.) Wash Your Car Windows and Cup Holders
Many schools have a policy preventing parents from getting out of their cars while sitting in the carpool lane, but that doesn't mean you can't crawl around inside your car.
Bring a bottle of glass cleaner and some newspaper (doesn't leave streaks or lint like paper towels can) and get all the finger (and tongue... or is that just my car?) prints off the inside of the windows. Baby wipes are great for cleaning out the gunk inside the cup holders.
3.) Clean Out Your Purse or Laptop Bag
Bring a towel, disinfectant wipes, and two bags (plastic or paper grocery store bags work great) when you go to pick up your kids. Lay the towel on the passenger front seat and dump out the contents of your purse. Don't forget all the side and secret pockets. If you can, turn your purse inside out to get out all the crumbs and Cheerios dust.
Sort all the items into three piles: stuff you need in your purse, stuff that belongs elsewhere, and trash. Use the disinfectant wipes on the items going back into your purse.
Organize everything as you put items back into your purse... put makeup and breath mints in an inside pocket, use outside pockets for items you need to access quickly and often (like keys and cell phone), and so forth.
You can also do this with a junk drawer, sewing kit, craft box, or anything else that needs organizing and will fit in the front seat of your car.
4.) Squeeze in Some Exercise
If you are allowed to get out of your car, you can do squats, jumping jacks, and toe touches.
If you have to stay in your car, open your car window so you can extend your arms and do a few doorknob turns. Put a kickball in between your knees and squeeze it to work your inner thighs. You can even do your Kegel exercises, and no one will be the wiser!
5.) Read a Good Book
If you enjoy reading but can't quite find the time for this luxury, the carpool pickup lane is your perfect opportunity.
6.) Make Voice-to-Voice Contact with Someone
Much of my communication is on Facebook or via text and email. I am trying to have more voice-to-voice (and face-to-face) contact with my family members and close friends.
A 10-minute phone conversation can go a long way to making me feel more connected to my besties (some of whom are also sitting in a carpool line with a little bit of time to spare).
7.) Write Letters, Thank You Notes, and Birthday Cards
Letter writing has become a lost art and few people still send birthday cards and thank-you notes, yet almost everyone enjoys receiving something other than bills and junk flyers in their mailbox. Brighten someone's day and do your part in supporting the US Postal Service too!
8.) Vacuum the Inside of Your Car
If you have a portable hand vac, you can suck up all the rocks, candy wrappers, and Cheerios dust (from inside your purse... remember?) to make room for more! Take a picture before your kids get into the car so you can remember what it looks like!
9.) Plan a Party
Got a birthday coming up? Our Birthdays & Special Occasions Planning Guide should be your first stop! Then check our Birthday Party Ideas Pinterest Board.
Want to throw a Halloween bash? We've got food, crafts, decorating ideas, and party tips on our Halloween Pinterest board. Hosting Thanksgiving dinner?
Our Thanksgiving Pinterest board covers everything from how to make the perfect turkey to holiday-themed lunchbox notes!
10.) Meal Plan for the Upcoming Week
With one kid in elementary school, one kid in middle school, and both enrolled in extracurricular activities, some nights require a grab-n-go (hurray, burritos for dinner!) or slow cooker meal because I won't be home long enough to cook.
This is the perfect task for Friday because you can do your meal planning for the upcoming week and then get to the grocery store over the weekend. Feeling really ambitious? Follow our instructions to create a Monthly Meal Plan that Works for Your Family.
