Sharing the school run between two parents

List every run in the week

Count each drop-off and pick-up separately, including the ones for clubs and activities. Seeing the whole list shows how much there is to share before you divide anything.

Start from work schedules, then balance

Give each run to whoever can realistically do it, based on work days and shifts. Then look at the total. If one parent has most of the runs, move a few around, or swap days from one week to the next.

Write down a name and a time

“I thought you were getting them” usually comes from a plan that was agreed out loud. Put each run on its day with the name of the parent and the time, so there is nothing to remember.

Plan for the days that change

Some things will move during the week. It helps to agree a few habits in advance:

• Change the plan in the shared place as soon as you know, not only by message
• Name a back-up for each run, such as the other parent or a friend you trust
• Say who is covering when a swap is agreed, and put it on the day

Let older kids see it too

When children can see who is collecting them, they know what to expect. It also saves one question at the school gate.