Illustrations by Bekah Grace (@bekahgraceartist) www.bekahgrace.co.uk

1. Sharing your day

I love that the school run is a huge part of our week. We are able to walk alongside others twice a day, five days a week, over a period of several years. It allows deeper lifelong relationships to develop. It gives me the chance to ask friends about their day and listen as they share their joys and challenges. I get to share my own life too, in a genuine and authentic way.

2. Sharing connections

It is amazing to me how the school run can be a place of multigenerational connection. A friend, who I first got to know when our children were babies, has recently introduced me to her wider family – siblings, grandparents and cousins – all whilst waiting in the playground for pick-up time. I love how coming alongside one person then introduces me to many other friends and family.

3. Sharing experiences

On the school run we are all in the same boat, collectively embarking on many new experiences – firsts for our kids but also for us as parents. We are able to walk alongside each other as we drop off our children for their first day at school, as we support them in their first sports day or nativity play, and as we celebrate and chat together at the many birthday parties that follow. Each of these shared experiences allows me, with God’s help, to show his character in how I live and love others.