My son asked why I always park in the fire lane but tell him we're 'just running in'

I told him it's called strategic positioning.

If I circle the lot three times looking for a legal spot, we'll miss the entire dismissal window. But if I pull up in the fire lane with my hazards on, I have exactly 90 seconds to sprint inside, dodge two administrators, grab his forgotten lunchbox from the cafeteria, and return before the crossing guard gives me the look.

Punchline

It's not illegal parking — it's high-speed retrieval with blinkers.