Wilma Flintstone or Jane Jetson?

Having no current revelations on which to blog on this week, I decided to include a column I wrote as editor of the high school newsletter. This post was written in 2003, but still applies today to moms and dads who serve as transport for their kiddies. God Bless You!

Picture the image of the future we all became familiar with when watching THE JETSONS as children. The future consisted of nothing less than space age everything! Sadly, I contend the notion has become nothing more than a tease. Although mornings greet many of us with the opportunity to engage in a George Jetson-like walk on treadmills and sidewalks across the county, I have finally accepted a very stark reality:

My children will never travel to school or anywhere else via jet-pack just like Elroy and Judy Jetson! Their only means of travel is mom-taxi.

One may argue that microwaving food is relatively Jetson-esque, as well as the use of cell phones, etc. Generally speaking, our generation has made many space age advancements. However, I argue that the task of driving back and forth to school two, three, (dare I say four?) times a day, leaves me feeling more like Wilma Flintstone than Jane Jetson. As the primary driving parent of a non-driving high school student, I clearly remember the sweet experience of ride freedom, and daydream of innovative ways of improvement. Linking necessity as the true mother of all invention and being a mother myself, I share my top three solutions:

• Air-chute transport: Just as we send checks and money in an air-chute to the drive-in bank teller, students could be airlifted to school via a giant plastic cylinder travelling through tunnels. Less expensive than a car, this solution requires no insurance, gas or license.

• Star-Trek transport: Similar to Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and the gang, our beloved offspring would be transported to school via the use of affordable in-home transporters. Students would be physically placed directly in front of his/her locker with plenty of time to prepare for the day. This concept works well with items students leave behind as well (i.e., lunches, money, homework, sports gear, etc.)

• Career Change: Parent(s) could volunteer to quit their job and become full-time bus driver(s), continually looping a pre-designated course for approximately 10 hours daily. This would be a paid position including salary, medical benefits and yearly vacations to any destination. Ultimately, the goal is to keep our drivers very happy until our children can drive for themselves. Until a real solution is found, or our students become drivers, I'll see you on the road. Keep on driving -- and daydreaming (it helps. . .)