It's important that you set some ground rules so everyone benefits from the carpooling experience. 

Do: Find a group of parents that you share more than one activity with. It can quickly become more stressful than its worth if you have one carpool on Tuesday, one on Thursday and one on Sunday. Instead, try to identify parents that you share two or more similar events with.

Do: Share a calendar among your group of parents that you can schedule at least one month in advance. Include all your phone numbers on the calendar so if you need to switch days, it will be easy to get a hold of everyone.

Don't: Be the inflexible driver. We all have to work late or get stuck in traffic, so if you need to drop one child off at a grandparent's house or have to add a new stop, remember that someone might return the favor later.

Do: Remind your children to be grateful for their carpool. When parents share the responsibility, it can save time and money. Always remind them to say, "thank you" to the driver of the day.

Don't: Forget to clean and clear out your vehicle when it's your turn to drive. Kids come with backpacks, extra shoes and equipment - you'll need the extra room.

Now that your carpool is running seamlessly - enjoy the benefits of saving time and money!


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