My siblings and I were involved in a ton of activities. After my swimming carpool evaporated, my mom had to drive me at 4:30 am. She’d sleep in the lobby and go straight to work as a teacher. The day I turned 16, she handed me keys and a car. 16 years old on the capital beltway in rush hour traffic (after practice to school) in a death mobile. Who cares?! No more getting up at 4:30!!!
My kids were always slam packed with stuff too. But we are in a small city. Everything was close by and lower key. I also loved the time in the car with my kids. We would just talk and talk. I miss it terribly now. But I admit it was nice when they had their licenses, especially for a late night returns from HS stuff. No more getting up at midnight to retrieve them from the bus/school.