Kitchen Chats with Aimee Kandrac Episode 4: Logistics For Unpredictable Times

When a life-changing event happens, all your schedules and routines can get upended, which is why Aimee called in Shannon Cohen, an attorney specializing in transportation and logistics, to share her wisdom. Shannon’s tips cover everything from carpools and school pick-ups to emergency situations and making the holidays special. She also discusses why it’s important to consider the unique needs of the person in the situation.

Episode Highlights

Keep everyone on the same page

Communicating logistics and schedules can be challenging even in normal times, but it is especially hard for someone going through a life-changing event. It can be helpful to have one communications point person, so the person in a crisis doesn’t get overwhelmed.

If you’re extra organized, you can even ask what appointments your friend has that coming week and see if you have time in your schedule to help out. If it’s a close friend, you may even know what they need and can pick something up for them while running errands.

“If you have your list of errands, just put their name on the list, and then when you’re going out and running your errands, you just text them on the way out and say, ‘Hey do you need anything?’” Shannon said.

Logistics for kids: Carpools and school pick-ups

Whether going through a divorce or healing from a broken foot, carpooling with a neighbor is an easy way to solve a logistic hurdle for kids.

If it’s a close friend, consider adding that person as an authorized pick-up adult at school in case something significant happens and the parent can’t make it to pick up their child. However, make sure you have the kid’s number and keep everyone in the loop about what to expect that day.

“I’m a lawyer by trade, so getting those clearances in advance is on my mind, but also it just makes it easier,” Shannon said. “Then if you have a situation where you have to pick up someone else’s child, the school probably knows and you’re able to just do that without as much hassle and trouble.”

Dealing with emergency situations

When an emergency pops up, the best way to help a friend with logistics is to think through the easiest way to help them. For instance, picking a friend’s child up from their house, instead of them driving to you, could be a crucial time saver. And if you’re in an emergency while out with a friend, consider driving that person where they need to go in their car.

“That way they have their car, and you can figure out a way to get back and get your car.”

It’s also helpful to prepare kids for emergencies in case parents can’t be reached. Shannon makes sure her children know that their friends are welcome to come over if they ever can’t connect with their parents.

“If you need a place to land for an hour after school, and neither of your parents are answering the phone for whatever reason, I have an open door policy,” Shannon said. “You’re welcome to come home with my kid.”

Resources + Links

• Shannon Cohen
• Aimee Kandrac: Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
• WhatFriendsDo: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

About Aimee and WhatFriendsDo 

Aimee Kandrac is a speaker, consultant, and the co-founder and CEO of WhatFriendsDo. Her work is instrumental for organizing support during life-changing events, and she speaks to organizations about creative ways to help friends and family during times of crisis. Aimee has been recognized as a Top 50 Mompreneur by Babble.com and is the first female CEO in the state of Indiana to close a $500,000 funding round. She has been featured in Forbes, Time, the LA Times, Oprah.com, the Indianapolis Star, and more.

WhatFriendsDo is a simpler way to create organized and actionable support during a time of crisis. The free, online platform empowers healthcare facilities, HR departments, families, and friends to easily coordinate meals, errands, transportation, childcare, communication, and more for those in the midst of a life-changing event. The women-founded and women-led company started as a solution for a friend with terminal cancer. WhatFriendsDo is based out of Indianapolis.