Post Office parking

[Osdog]

I'm not angry per se......... I am annoyed that so many folks feel the need to get their cars out each and every morning to take their kids on what would normally be a 5 minute walk to school each day.

Yes... I did take mine to and from school on the 'odd' occasion - but this is not what I was talking about.  I am discussing the people who do this EVERY day.  My kids thought their ship had come in, if I turned up and offered a lift up the hill.  I was in fact asked by one child (friend of my kids), if I should go home get the car, and then come back and collect them......... talk about being indulged all the time.  The fact that said child had to walk up a hill made for an unpleasant evening, and when 'mummy' came to collect, I was told in no uncertain terms that I should have obliged.

Now.... where does this leave me?  Kids are now in their teens, so no need for me to worry so much.  Situation in Marple / Marple Bridge remains the same.  I walk to the station in a morning, and see them taking the kids to school, and then struggle to park, before driving the 2 minutes back home again.

This is really what riles.......... not the going to work afterwards.  I have sympathy, if you have to get the kids off and then get to work yourself.  But I ask again, if you are getting to marple station after 8.30am - please - where do you park.  I 've tried it once or twice, but never again.  The 15 minute walk does me good...... even on rainy days.

Off my soapbox now.  Don't mean to offend.  Just my two pence worth.....

Im not sure whether it comes down to snobbery Jen, I do have a school with is nearer to me, but it came down to choice, and also gutt feeling about the school I chose.  That is not to say that the school nearer to me is not good, I just felt it wasnt right for my child.

Many of the RH parents are just plain lazy. Many live within 5 mins walking distance (and are not on their way to work) but choose instead to drive their cars up elmfield drive, and park accross kerbs. If children are walking past, they do not wait to move off, they drive alongside the children. My kids nearly got run over several times.

The head teacher has stated that they can use the pub car park but it is too far for these lazy people.

I also think alot of it has to do with school snobbery. Certain parents bypass their catchment area schools, which would be walking distance, and drive their kids to the dale or RH (or ludworth)  Many RH parents live too far to walk but it was their own choice to turn their nose up at peacefield et al. If we all used the local school then only a few would have to drive there.

Many people are lazy in general though and could easily walk to work, it isn't just the school run mums/dads. But it is a bad thing when cars take over both roads and pavements.

I agree with the fact that young children in this day and age are too young to walk to school on their own, but what sort of excuse is having to cross six busy roads, what rubbish!!!

Also, if these "Six busy roads" are too busy to cross by themselves, then maybe you need to get in touch with the local road traffic officer, and see if he can assist you, also, can you tell me which "six" roads these are.  As I have pointed out, I live quite a way from the school of my choice (not the nearest school), and if  my child would have to cross "six busy roads", then if I lived that far away, it would and could only give me peace of mind that if on foot, the best I could do would be to assist them.  A car ride could only be a luxury..........dont complain!!!

[tina]

My children are 8 & 6, far too young to walk themselves, the crossing man is there to cross both children and parents.

[Dave]

Maybe I'm missing the point here, but I thought there were lollipop persons to enable primary school pupils to walk to school on their own or with their friends and cross roads safely.  So why do they need to be walked all the way to school by Mum?  Or are they very young (i.e. infant age)?

It appears to me, and I quote "appears" to me, , is that the women want to live in a so called mans world, equal rights and all that, want the kids, want the job, they want it all!!!

When you have children, you make sacrifices, the nature of the job I did to fit around my children, is completely irrelevant, and why would it matter, if you cant afford to look after your children by making  lifestyle changes, simple, dont have them!!!

The job I chose, had to fit in with my child, not my child to fit in around my job!!

How can people complain on here about the congestion on the roads, when they themselves are as guilty as the people they complain about???

Its a case of put up, and shut up, or walk, make alternative arrangements, but dont complain about something you do yourself!!!!

[Mike in Marple]

Quote (Guest @ Feb. 08 2006,14:24)

Or you could choose to drive them to school. It's a free country. JUST PARK CONSIDERATELY. which i think the arguement is all about really.

Couldn't agree more.  If you choose to use your car, God speed and drive carefully.

Surely the problem doesn't lie with the car users, but with those who are driving recklessly.

[tina]

wow, everyone is so angry today! I live around the corner from school and walk, mind you I can't drive! But I do see some very local people turn up in the car! maybe for work purposes but I'm sure it would be quicker to walk and go back for the car, rather than try to squeeze into a tiny spot. Nearly every morning cars turn around onto the pavement, whilst children are still walking to school, this is unfair, one day a child is going to get run over, and I hope it's not one of mine!
Also the very nice crossing man has a very hard job on his hands, with drivers rushing to catch trains etc... many days I have seen him ignored and drivers drive on by without stopping! (Not pointing the finger at you ' stressed Dale parent''> but to all drivers on the road! even those who use their mobile phones! But that's another debate all together!

Goodness Osdog.. you seem quite aggresive - I think you may have missed my point a little.

I didn't say there was NO choice I said it was not always about choice. Not everybody is in the same position as you are they?

Surely that's a moderate assumption? in fact you have written that, in the past, even you have collected your child/children in the car.

I admit that, I personally, take my 3 year old to play group and I use my car to do so. I use it because I am self-employed and, after dropping her off, I then make my way to work.

Can I ask (I'm just being provocative here) Is that in order with you?.. Or shall I walk 20 mins back home to collect my car to travel to the office?
To me it seems that your way is slightly less productive.

Quote (Osdog @ Feb. 08 2006,11:53)

You could choose to get up earlier and walk........ you could choose to change your job, and work nearer home....... maybe (just maybe) you could choose to not work at all (not always an option I know).

Or you could choose to drive them to school. It's a free country. JUST PARK CONSIDERATELY. which i think the arguement is all about really.

On the one day I had no car (puncture) I walked. We both enjoyed it. I'm lucky enough to be able to.  

[Osdog]

What utter rot - it is ALWAYS about choice....... you choose to use the car - or you choose to walk.  You choose to use Marple station rather than Rose Hill.... etc

You could choose to get up earlier and walk........ you could choose to change your job, and work nearer home....... maybe (just maybe) you could choose to not work at all (not always an option I know).

What happens when the car doesn't start? Do you and the kids both take the day off........?  just wondered

Quote (Guest @ Feb. 08 2006,08:25)

if the job is a problem to fit in with your children, then its easy........change your job. Oh and your point about 6 busy roads, well, you should sleep well knowing that as the childrens mother/father you are taking your responsibilities seriously as far as their safety is concerned helping your children cross the road!!!  If you choose to live six busy roads, 20 mins walk, a train to catch at 9.15 well it all sounds like your own choice. Stop complaining, and making excuses!! '>

Always easy that one  '>


If, as you say, you managed to get your kids to school everyday by walking them - well done! and if you were lucky enough to fit your job around the children - well done there too.

However it's not always about choice really is it?

May I ask what kind of job you had which allowed you to be that fortunate?

[Osdog]

I have to say that if you are dropping the kids off at 9 (and all the stuff that goes with it) and then managing to get to Marple station for the 9.15 train - you must be driving like a madman/woman to get there in time.  And - when you do get to marple - where do you park then?  Marple station is full at 8.00am these days...... or do you stroll over to Rose Hill....... (sorry drive back to Rose Hill).......

My kids always walked to school - (about a 15 minute walk) - and if they were collected in the car it was a rare treat........

Kids should walk - too much mollycoddling going on these days.  Marple Bridge is brought to a standstill twice a day with folks delivering their kids.

And whilst I'm on a roll here - I do wish those people who deliver/collect their kids would put seat belts on them...... far too many times do I see the little darlings rampaging round the back of the car / standing up in the front seats etc... while mummy blissfully ignorant of the fact that they are going to be catapulted through the windscreen - sits there with her belt ON.......

I saw one woman the other day carefully put a box in the back of the car and strap it in.... the kids... they just got in and sat there - double standards or what!

Off my soapbox now.

Maybe Stressed, your question should be, "what would I do if I didnt have a car?"

I also live 20 mins walk, 30 if we were having a go slow day from Rose Hill School, and for many years I would leave home at 8.15am to make sure my child got to school on time for 8.50am.  

Do you think a 20 minute walk is unnaceptable for a child?? Its nothing, if you are in a rush in the morning, its simple, get the family up earlier!!!!  My child was doing this walk from the age of 2.5 to go to playgroup, with no pushchair.

Most schools allow the children in the playground from 8.45, you would get to the train station easy, especially as its all downhill  for your journey to the station.

And no, Im not one of the mothers who would stroll home to watch "Trisha", I worked my job around the children, and also used public transport, if the job is a problem to fit in with your children, then its easy........change your job.

No wonder the roads are blocked in the morning with excuses like yours.

Oh and your point about 6 busy roads, well, you should sleep well knowing that as the childrens mother/father you are taking your responsibilities seriously as far as their safety is concerned helping your children cross the road!!!  If you choose to live six busy roads, 20 mins walk, a train to catch at 9.15 well it all sounds like your own choice.

Stop complaining, and making excuses!! '>

I'd love to walk my children to school but

(a) we live about 20-30 minutes walk away across at least 6 busy roads.

And

(b) would someone please explain how I would manage to walk from The Dale at 9am after dropping my children off and sorting out various school bags and lost property and all the other paraphanalia that occurs in a school morning and reach Marple train station in time for the 9.10am......... go on, I'd love to hear how I would manage that......?? Many people completely miss the point that most parents drive to school because they have to dash like a madman for the infrequent public transport system afterwards, not because we are a bunch of lazy nothing better to do than stroll back for Trisha-types. Ok? Rant over.. Beam me up scotty...