My life as the "Bike Pool" mom...

[Running Mommy]

So I just had to share this little nugget from my life that I think some of you may enjoy. It seems like I have become the official neighborhood bike pool mom. No car pools here, we bike to school.
Ever since my son lost my trust last year I have been riding with him to and from school. We only live 3/4 of a mile from the school, so no reason at all for ANYONE (IMO of course) to pull the car out, yet plenty of parents do. It's amazing the number of SUV and minivan moms I see pull out the car for such a short trip! But I digress.

Since school has started more and more moms have been asking me if I would mind taking their kids as well. Of course I don't. But I do have one rule. Well- a couple actually. Of course HELMETS, and they must follow bike etiquette- I give them lessons and pointers along the way. And also there is no show boating or racing ahead. We all ride together.
So every morning about 6 kids show up at my door for the trek to school. I make sure that back pack strings aren't hanging down, long shoe laces are tucked in, and that tires are pumped. (yeah I learned that one the hard way. Some parents have no clue. And i HATE making everyone walk because one kid has a flat.) Anyway, I grab Jules and off we go with me trailing behind to make sure I don't lose anyone. The oldest ones lead and do traffic control at the street corners. The kids love it because we take the dirt trail. It's behind a row of houses, so without an adult they aren't allowed to ride it alone. It also bypass' the scooter and foot traffic. I get them to the cross walk and let the guard take over. After school I'm waiting for them under the shade of a mequite tree on the same corner. I count heads to make sure all are accounted for, ask how everyones day went, and again check shoe laces and back pack strings. Then off we go, crunching along down the crushed granite trail chatting away.
The kids seem to love it, and I don't mind taking them at all. Heck anytime I can get a kid on a bike I will. The parents feel safe knowing that someone is watching over their kids, it's all good.
So anyway, that is the good in my life right now.
Lately I've had a lot of bad, so it's something I look forward to everyday. Seeing kids enjoying their bikes lights up my day.