Outsourcing Driving kids to activities

[sandandsea]

Has anyone used any of the kid driving services? How do I trust one and find a trustworthy one? I will potentially need twice a week for someone to pick ds up at afterschool care and take him to soccer practice. We don’t have any family in the area. We are trying to find a carpool but it’s not working so far.

It’s maybe 2 miles from point a to b and 10 minutes.

[AdaraMarie]

I have not done this, but I would expect you would need it to be the same person every time so they could be on the approved pick up list from aftercare.

[sandandsea]

Jul 13, 2019 18:56:12 GMT -5 AdaraMarie said:

I have not done this, but I would expect you would need it to be the same person every time so they could be on the approved pick up list from aftercare.

Yes. I was thinking so too. However they are pretty okay at pick up and would probably make it work.

[sunbutter]

Sort of. I connected with one of the young assistant teachers at our school and now, about once/week, she picks them up after camp and drives them home and feeds them dinner. During the school year, she was a teacher in their aftercare program, and she would drive them home once per week and give them dinner before we got home.
The drive is a pain in the ass, about 15 miles, mostly congested highway.
We did a trial drive first where she followed me home one night. I could somewhat judge how she drove from that. I can tell that she is super cautious with the kids and if anything, drives like a timid old lady, lol.
I am also a member of a Facebook group in my area that is specifically meant for connecting with local childcare providers. That will be the place I will look next year when I will basically need a chauffeur for my 12 yo all summer.

[waverly]

I have not. I’ve heard of sort of an uber for kids but I am not sure how picking up from aftercare would work. And I think it was only in San Fran or LA or something. Maybe a college student?

[sdlaura]

Do you have any babysitters who are old enough to drive? That’s where I would start.

We have our babysitter drive the kids to school and pick up once or twice a week. But the kids are in three different places so I’m paying her at least an hour at a time. When I was in college I drove kids around as my job but it was an all afternoon, regular thing. I would help with homework and stuff too.

[livinitup]

I pretty much did this in college as a nanny. I was part-time, so I did a 2-day a week schedule and another nanny did 2-3 other days. I picked-up the youngest from school and did the dance class. Then home. So, more traditional than you need, but maybe start with college students who want a short but consistent gig? Do colleges still post job opportunities in their career centers? I’d probably just post what you need on Care.com (or other site) and see if you get a few takers to interview.

[2chatter]

I priced it — $86 one way 1.4 miles to the golf course as it is former police officers driving. I spoke to other parents who pay these crazy rates. People actually pay that. Actually pay that!!!! I pay a neighbor $10-15 instead. We also have an Uber guy who lives in our hood that drives oldest.

[k3am]

sandandsea, check on Nextdoor... If you end up with a highschool kid doing it, double check their provisions on their license to make sure they can even drive kids yet. I would also make it a requirement that they provide you evidence of a clean driving record.

[186momx]

I've asked at aftercare if anyone could drive DD to practice for a couple one offs that my mom couldn't do it. Both times I've had no issues finding one of the staff to run her the 3 miles to practice. That is where I would start first. Is anyone else at his aftercare on the team?

[muppetinma]

A few years ago when my son was in preschool, I picked up a girl at her fancy private school and dropped her off at her mom’s work. With sitting in the carpool line and the drive, it was probably a half hour, twice a week. She paid me $20 a day, under the table.

We connected through a local babysitting page on Facebook. I wasn’t looking for work, actually. I was looking for sitters myself. BUT, it was a schedule that was easy for me and I was nearby anyway. It was a great little side hustle for a year.

[sandandsea]

I just priced Kango and it’s $9/month and $16 per ride. Random vetted drivers.

Unfortunately no one at his aftercare is on his team.

I sent a message to the other parents to see if anyone wants to carpool and no bites yet. I also asked the coach if there was any way to get one practice a week at the later slot. So I’m risking being *that* parent. Funny enough, one mom after me noted that it could still be too hot outside at 4:30 and wanted a later time too. Haha. So I don’t think I’m the worst *that* parent!!

DH is really bothered by this. I told him to call the league so it’s not a whining mom. He’s ready to switch leagues he’s so annoyed. Which is totally irrational as that would add 15 mins each way to each practice. DH also can’t get comfortable with a stranger (vetted by others or even interviewed by us) driving ds around alone. We shall see where this ends.

[waverly]

sandandsea , yeah like I said we haven't done travel or club leagues, but for rec I've noticed that 5:30 is the earliest practice time. It is mostly men who work who are volunteering as coaches for a small discount off their player's fee. So yeah they all prefer later. The volunteer coaches pick the days and times.

Personally I would drive an extra 30 minutes a practice if I didn't have to leave work early. Maybe you can find a carpool at the farther away league. I've only found dance to be as early as 4pm. I think they are assuming part time WM or SAHM moms are transporting. I only do activities that fit our schedule, and we've been able to do dance, soccer, baseball, and basketball and scouts with those parameters and after school clubs (aftercare picks them up).