A good friend and I, as well as our kids are very close, but as the children are growing older and their extra-murals cut into the afternoons, it is becoming increasingly difficult to arrange play-dates.
Since we live fairly close to each other, we now arrange lifts about twice a week and we all drive to the shared activities together. For example, while our daughters are at their dance classes, we shop and do our errands together…at the supermarket, post office, stationers etc.
Sometimes it takes a little longer than it would if we were each alone, but besides saving fuel (one car trip instead of two), this gives us a little longer to chat and share all that stuff that girlfriends have to discuss!
Although, not quite the same as a playdate, in the car, on the way there and back, the kids also get a bit of time together.
So, we save fuel and we socialize at the same time. One little babystep towards a green transport solution!