TIPs TO SURVIVE THE CAR LINE #backtoschool

Dear Mama,

We're back! Here is one of our  favorite blogs from 2015 - highlighting the joys of the car line. We'd love to hear your tips - please comment below!

My daughter started kindergarten this year! It has been an amazing adventure but with every adventure comes new things. This was the first time in my life I was introduced to a car line. My daughter's school is new this year and it is absolutely beautiful. With that being said the first week of school in the car line was an absolute nightmare.

If I had the luxury of being in the car line alone it wouldn't have been as bad but in tow with me I have my three year old son who is in the middle of an amazing tantrum phase. In addition to the tantrums, he knows that if he says he has to go potty , then he can get out of the car.

So let's do the math, tired mom, cranky three year old, and a really really long line of parents who are equally miserable. Here are some of the things that have happened to us so far:

1. The first day of school I wasn't able to get my daughter until 5 PM, in the Vegas heat, she was hot, cranky, and thought I forgot about her and left her at school.
2. My three year old decided that he had to poop and that it could not wait! We had to give up our precious spot in line, run into the school, and he used the restroom in the nurses office.
3. We carpool a friend of the family as well one day we drove up to find him in a wheelchair because he hurt his ankle. (so scary!)
4. The line was so backed up I was asked if I could fit into a very narrow opening, My confidence was a little to high and I hit a dad in the car line! He was not happy! I didn't damage his truck, just scraped a little paint on his tail light but still how mortifying!!
5. My daughter came running at me full speed with her school folder in hand and flung all her papers everywhere! I got out to retrieve her papers and smacked my face on my rear view mirror, A+ for grace here! 
6. There have a couple days where my son is so exhausted and over the wait that be the time we get my daughter in the car his screaming is so over the top that no one can think!! 
7. I have made friends with most of the staff in the car line and I bring them cold water from time to time.

I think it is safe to say we've made a spectacle of ourselves and we are pretty well known in the car line! Here are some tips that I can pass along so that you too can survive the car line!

1. Arrive early! You may have to wait for what feels to be a longer time but I have found getting a spot near the front is priceless!
2. Bring snacks! And snacks for when those snacks run out. 
3. Bring liquids, but monitor the liquids because too many liquids will cause a needed potty break.
4. Bring paper, pencils, white boards, crafts, tablets, and anything else you have to try to pass the time!
5. The car line is a perfect place to pay bills, balance a checkbook, do online shopping, make grocery lists, and catch up with family members!
6. Above all, else take deep breaths! We will survive the car line!

How do you survive the car line?

---