To The Person Who Cut Me In The Carpool Line

Dear Carpool Cutter:

Our children’s school has given us very clear guidelines (with an illustrated map no less!) about where you are supposed to enter the carpool line. You’ve got the school’s logo on the back of your car so I’m assuming you know the drill. In the afternoon, it’s pretty hard to cut the line because there are so many cars and multiple teachers along the route. In the morning, it’s a lot more tempting to cut through one of the side streets rather than driving down an empty road to enter the correct way. I still always drive the correct way though because I’m a rule-follower. Apparently, you are not one.

When You Cut Me

It probably didn’t phase you at all when you cut me in the carpool line. Heck, people have done it before, and I’ve blown it off with a huff and an eye roll. I usually arrive at school about 10 minutes before the bell, so it’s not a big deal. This morning, however, it was a big deal. My son and I were running a little late. I was relieved when I saw there were only a handful of cars in front of me because I figured we’d made it in time, but then you cut me (and a few other cars) at the stop sign. The bell rang, and your car was the last car accepted at drop off.  I wanted to blast my horn and channel my toddler daughter by screaming, “It’s not fair!” at the top of my lungs.  The teacher on duty signaled for the rest of the cars to pull out of the line. I think most of the parents just opened their doors and let their kids hurry up and run out, but I’ve got a preschooler. I had to park my car down the street and walk him into school.

The Domino Effect

When I was walking back to my car, it started raining. Then on my way home, I caught a train. I was wet and going to be late for an appointment because you cut me in the carpool line. It was like I was the down-on-her-luck heroine in a romantic comedy. I was the Bridget Jones of Metry, and I was v. upset. Fuming, I exercised a Herculean amount of restraint to not post the picture I took of your car on our school’s Facebook page and become the crazy carpool mom.

But you know what? I guess I am a crazy carpool mom. Look, we’ve all got places to be. Do you think I want to drive 6 blocks in the opposite direction of the school to enter the carpool line every day? I don’t. It would be so much easier to just turn on the first street and cut everyone else, but I don’t do it specifically because of reasons like this. When you cut me, it had a domino effect on my morning. It was like Sliding Doors, except you got to be the happy Gwyneth Paltrow and I was the sad one. Although (Sort of spoiler alert!), those who have seen the movie know what happens to the happy GP, so maybe you did me a favor? But, I digress.

While I’m At It…

I can only assume since you cut the carpool line that you are also the type of person who blocks people’s driveways and both lanes of traffic when you are waiting for carpool to start in the afternoon. If this assumption is correct, please knock that off too. See a driveway? Stop your car before you get to it. Are there cars parked on one or both sides of the street? Wait until you can pass them before pulling forward so do don’t block cars coming from the opposite direction. The residents of our school’s street will appreciate you for this.

Thank you in advance for taking my advice and following the rules.

Regards,

Crazy* Carpool Mom

*By “crazy,” I actually mean “considerate rule-follower.”

Marie
Marie is the owner of Little Hometown, a company specializing in locally themed baby swaddles and apparel. Prior to opening her business, Marie was a professional event planner turned stay-at-home mom. She spent nearly a decade living in New York City, where she met her husband, Jeff (a New England native). Early in their relationship, Marie told Jeff that New Orleans is the only place where she would want to raise her children. As soon as she got pregnant, they started shopping for houses. They moved back in December of 2012, welcomed their son in 2013 and their daughter in 2015. Marie now spends her days entertaining her kids with silly songs, desperately attempting to stay organized, and balance her life as a work-at-home mom.

6 COMMENTS

  1. “Crazy rule follower/ car pool mom”:
    You sound like you are assuming this person has nothing going on in their lives either. Perhaps their morning was not going well, not just yours. I too, am a “rule follower”, but for once in my life I HAD to cut THROUGH a ridiculously long and unsupervised event line to get to a more serious destination. You see, I’m an on- call hospice nurse, and someone needed me NOW. On the other side of town, no less.

    Perhaps instead of writing a long narrative that could have sufficed as a Facebook rant, do something positive to help the school or donate your time, resources, etc for someone in need. I’m sorry but this was a waste of energy. Let it go.

  2. I freaking LOVE this post! I too am a rule follower and I drives me completely bonkers when people break the rules. Like pulling all the way up in a merge lane (99% of you know it’s a merge) and swoop in 7 cars ahead of you while your stuck at a red light for the third time. Sorry, that’s my beef I’m bringing in but it’s along the same lines. Also love the reference to Sliding Doors, glad to know I’m not the only person in America to have seen that hahaha. Or one of 20 or something. I say post that picture. Or better yet get a dash cam! The only way people act right is if they’re in film. It’s a darn shame.

  3. I understand your frustration; I can appreciate your post. Why don’t you just have a conversation with this individual, rather than make assumptions about her personality or attitude e about courtesy. Or, how about extending this lady and any other mom or dad some grace. I understand the rant. . And yes, I follow the rules and have a tendency to let others cut me in line and exercise some grace. Doesn’t mean I don’t get upset or annoyed but your remarks seem harsh to write an entire article about this mom.

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