Wednesday

Works For Me Wednesday - Kids & Parking Lots




It's been a few weeks since I posted a Works For Me Wednesday hosted by Shannon. Yesterday, as I was shuttling kids to and from various errands I remembered a great tip to share with you. I'm not sure how I came up with this, but for the last decade it has worked to keep our children safe in a parking lot of busy cars. Actually I thought everyone did it, but then a few moms told me they'd never heard it before.

We have a lot of kids, so when I am unloading them I often cannot eyeball the first few kids who emerged from the vehicle. So, from the time they are old enough to stand alone they are instructed to "stand on the white/yellow line." When a child gets out of the car and I am busy with other children I tell them to stand on the line and they know what to do. It's a great boundary for them and when I'm ready to walk across the parking lot, my kids are all there in a nice, neat line ready to go. So simple and keeps kids so safe.

It works for me!

4 comments:

Sarah @ Ordinary Days said...

Great tip! Another thing I do is tell them to put their hand on the car. That way I know they can't get too far since their sweet little arms are so short. And for walking from the car to the store, I have my little ones hold on to my jacket/jeans pockets so I can hold the baby.

Mamabug said...

I am with Sarah on that one. I have lost track of the number of times I have said: "Hands on the van". They often need both hands on the van and look like they are getting ready to be frisked. Hee Hee.

El Shaddai Ranch said...

Hands on the van is a good idea, but usually our van is filthy so I don't think I'd encourage them to touch it ; )

SAHMmy Says said...

Great idea! My son is only 3 so I'll have to wait a while before he's old enough to follow that rule. I have him stand in a planter if it's right by the car or have him keep two hands on the car. I used to put him in the car first then put the baby in but one time the cart--with her in it--rolled into the parking lot!! Learned my lesson but quick!