Top tips to save school run stress, from a countdown playlist to emergency car kit

“BACK TO SCHOOL IS MOST STRESSFUL TIME OF YEAR FOR 63% UK PARENTS!”

As the kids finally head back to school, forgotten lunchboxes (51%), getting home to realise you still have your child’s schoolbag (40%) and spills down clean uniforms (40%) are revealed as the top mishaps parents have to deal with on the school run.

Polling 2,000 parents with school age children, the research by Pod, a leading EV charging provider, revealed 57% have forgotten something important on the first day back to school. 

For almost a third (31%) this was ensuring the car was filled up with charge or fuel.


In fact, 63% of parents reveal that the first day back to school is the most stressful day of the year. This feeling doesn’t subside, as over seven in ten (72%) say the school run is the most stressful part of any school day.

Recognising the pressure on parents at this busy time, Pod has teamed up with parenting psychologist Laverne Antrobus to share handy hacks to make the school run smoother.

Laverne Antrobus said: “The school run isn’t just a drive — it’s a mentally challenging obstacle course; juggling uniforms, breakfast, packed lunches, permission slips, and a thousand tiny details that are all urgent at once, including getting yourself ready. However, introducing a few simple changes can help get things in order. These are my favourites:”

And a bonus tip for families with an EV…

 

Pod CEO Melanie Lane added: “As a mum of three, I know first-hand that busy families already have enough on their plate, especially during the chaos of getting kids back to school. That’s why Pod is here to help and make the school run one less thing to worry about.

How Your Flooring Could Be Secretly Affecting Your Family's Mood (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

“For those with an EV or thinking about making the switch, our Pod Drive subscription offers total peace of mind – because not only will you wake up with a full charge ready to go, you’ll also know it’s covered by one simple monthly fee for all your charging needs.”

These hacks could go some way to help the 78% of parents of school age children who say they are looking for ways to be more organised. Being prepared for the school run would mean increased peace of mind (52%) and getting a few minutes of time back (32%) for the busy parents questioned.

Pod Drive, Pod’s industry-first home EV charging subscription, slashes the up-front costs of installing a Pod Point Solo 3S charger from £1,149 to £99*. It also rewards customers with over £170 cashback on a years’ worth of driving if they smart charge their EV with Pod**. 

EV drivers can save further by opting for a dedicated tariff such as EDF’s GoElectric – the cheapest fixed EV tariff available, giving significant savings vs. petrol or diesel.***

The £40 monthly subscription to Pod Drive**** also includes a 48-hour repair or replace service with 24/7 customer support: providing reliable and worry-free EV charging for busy households.

For more information go to podenergy.com 

Georgie Belles Boutique
Interview with Mother Pukka – AKA Anna Whitehouse

Interview with Mother Pukka – AKA Anna Whitehouse

Anna is formidable in her pursuit for equality in the workplace, fuelled by her passion to ensure that her girls, or any girls, don’t face a future where you can have your career snatched away from you just because you dared to have a baby; sadly this is something that Anna experienced first hand.

School Attendance at an all time low, but what’s the reason?

School Attendance at an all time low, but what’s the reason?

School attendance is at a crisis level, but the key issue is not a cheaper couple of days at Center Parcs, but the very serious issue educational settings not being able to meet children’s needs be that for children with SEN needs, or the who are experiencing bullying and experiencing anxiety, especially post-Covid and the experience of lockdowns on children and young people.

How to Handle Sleep Regressions Without Losing Your Sanity

How to Handle Sleep Regressions Without Losing Your Sanity

Just when it finally feels like sleep is under control thanks to a rigid bedtime routine you made, everything falls apart. The baby who used to sleep through the night is now waking up every hour. Naps are a battle. The bedtime routine that once worked like magic suddenly does nothing. Plus, exhaustion takes over, patience runs thin, and suddenly, drinking coffee feels like a personality trait.

Interview with Ashley James

Interview with Ashley James

Talented Ashley James is a TV presenter, model, DJ and Mum of two. Ashley is a familiar face on TV, but she is perhaps most well known at the moment for her presenting role on This Morning and her inspirational, honest and relatable content on social media which has led to Ashley gaining a large social media following of loyal fans.

Jorgie Porter and Ollie Piotrowski

Jorgie Porter and Ollie Piotrowski

The couple who have been together since 2020 have been through some heartbreaking times during their time together, including the excruciating loss of their quadruplets, when Jorgie was 14 weeks pregnant in 2021. Fortunately, the heartbreak only strengthened their bond and they have since announced their engagement and welcomed their first child together in November 2022 – the adorable little Forest.