Kids Riding Bus To School...am I Being Overprotective?
Lounge By i_love_icing Updated 11 Oct 2006 , 12:59pm by bluehen92
OK, I'm not sure if I"m being overprotective...I remember the kind of things I heard on the bus when I was in school (I graduated HS 10 years ago). I've been listening to what my two daughters (8 and 6) say about the bus and I've decided to just drive them to and from school. We live less than a mile away, so it doesn't take long.
I know I can't protect them from all the crap that is out there, but I'd like to try 
What do you guys think?
would it be possible for you to start a walking bus? It's something thats becoming very popular over here. They're run by a rota of volunteers. Basically the adult supervisors start at the furthest point away from the school and they start walking towards the school. As they pass their homes children come out and join in so eventually by the time they get to school all the children are part of this group. They all wear high visibility vests on top of their clothes. The children get much needed exercise and we're not polluting the atmosphere with all the car fumes or causing congestion and the children are supervised all the way to school
Ah, the discussion my husband and I have had for many years! He's the protective one. When she comes home from school with a "guess what I heard today", it's prime time to talk about why it is or isn't appropriate, and how to handle it in the future. If the kids are never exposed to things, then how do they learn to deal with things when you're not there?
I rode the bus for over an hour as a child so I pretty much hated it, although we had many good times there, another reason I would rather they didn't ride hehe. I drive my 6 & 7 year olds because its nice to chat with them in the car. I am a SAHM so I really don't have a reason not to drive them, well gas prices maybe hehe. I feel safer watching them walk into the school building then relying on a bus driver to watch 40 plus kids, & I feel safer knowing their in MY car. And for the record yes I am VERY over protective, can't help it, these kids are the most important job of my life so I don't wanna mess it up
I was always considered an over protective mother by professionals, like teachers. I never quite figured that out. I wonder where the happy medium is. Not being to protective and not being accused of neglect. Well anyway, I roda a bus for an hour in the evening from school we lived about 7 miles from school, so walking was out. Our bus was considered the worst route because of the stuff that went on. Now that has been more than 30 years ago, I can't even imagine what kids have to put up with nowadays. If you can take your kids or walk them then do that, if you can't then stay on top of what happens on the bus. Good luck.
Jeanne
I am the first one to admit that I am a overprotective mother. I have driven my child to school each and every day and if it is the good Lord's will, I will continue to do so every day he goes to school. My baby is only 4 and I am not about to let a bunch of high schoolers pick on my baby. It would only cause me to make a scene and possibly go to jail and that definately wouldn't be good.
My hubby and I had the same discussion this year! Last year, we encountered some problems on the bus...always in the afternoon! We also live less than 1 mile to school. My hubby rode the bus when he was little an hour each way, and thinks they'll be ok, I never rode a bus and have heard all sorts of horror stories about the bus. We decided to let them ride the bus to schoool in the morning (kids are usually quiet, still waking up) and I pick them up every day because that is usually when all the crazy stuff happens (the kids are usually wound up at this point form being in school all day) So far, it's working out well for us. It's tough, I don't want to be overprotective, but at the same time....it can be crazy out there and I think as a mom, you have to go with your instincts, even if they do seem 'overprotective' to others. Hope it works out for you!
We debated this same issue and chose to drive our son to school ourselves. While I agree that if you shelter kids from everything they'll never have the opportunity to learn to deal with things themselves, I also belive that at 6 yrs old my son has lots of time to learn about those things. He's only six and I prefer to let him be a child and not grow up too fast, as most kids seem to be doing these days. Riding the bus and being exposed to older kids, possible bad attitudes and language, bullies, etc. w/out any adult supervision is not something that I think would be good for him to experience at such a young age. They experience enough of that in school itself but there are teachers around then....on a bus there's one adult and they're driving the bus so they can't possibly monitor what's happening with the kids and manage it. Plus I just don't like the idea of my child's life & safety, though only for a little while, being in the hands of ONE person who's responsible for 30+ kids at one time while operating a huge vehicle...just doesn't sit well with me. Not to mention the fact that here our buses don't have seatbelts. JMO
Thanks for all the input... I'll have to ask around about the walking bus thing. I know several families whose homes we pass on our way that occasionally walk their kids to school. Thanks again everyone!
My first grader rides the bus. He's one of the last picked up in hte morning and one of the first off in the afternoon and it's his favorite part of the day! I couldn't deny him that! Plus i have 2 younger children and babysit two others. It's just not feasible for me to drive him to and from school.
Sure they pick stuff up, but it's our job as parents to teach them what is appropriate and what is not and like indydebi said how will they learn to deal with things if they are never exposed to them.
Opinion from a first year bus rider mom and a middle school teacher ---
I did not want my son on the bus after teaching for ten years. I know the discipline issues we hear from the bus. However, my son is now starting in school and I put his little bottom on the bus every morning! He loves it!!!!!!!!!!!!! We live exactly 1.2 miles from the school and he hates it when I have taken him.
HOWEVER - he will not be riding the bus when he goes to middle school. His bus is K-5 kids. When he gets to the age I teach - NO WAY!!! I think that every parent needs to ride the bus with their children for one week to see the mess.
There are several factors though - how big your school system is, what age groups are riding the bus, do you know the bus driver and most of the kids on the bus, etc.............
Either way - your kids will be fine. It is the lessons that they learn from their parents that are most obvious in the classroom!!!
When the bus drops kids off on our road, it's about 40 min. after school let out.
I had to ride the bus for an hour when I was a child and I hated it.
I'm able to drive him (and them next year, lol) and I will.
They're exposed to enough things in school, on the playground and in the bathrooms, etc., etc. and not to mention tv!!!!!!!!
But, it makes me feel more secure when I watch my child walk in the school building and walk out.
He wants to ride the bus, but I told him not right now.
Dh's family and a lot of our friends say "you're gonna have to put them on that bus one day" and they think I'm silly for driving to & from school everyday, but these are my children, not theirs and I'll do what I see fit.
You started a good topic here and you're gonna see different views like you already have, but deep down inside it's just your gut feeling you have to follow. And, don't listen to anyone else to tell you what to do--they're your children.
Good Luck!!
It's a bit after the fact since this thread is over a week old, but I just saw it and had to throw in a comment. Last week, here in Oklahoma City, there was a K/1st-grader (I think I heard he was 5 y.o.) that was dropped off on the wrong stop! I never heard as to why the bus driver dropped him off at the wrong spot, but apparently a kind stranger drove by the small child and saw he was crying and was able to help.
My oldest is 3 so we're not at the bus-riding age yet, but this story scared me cause who knows what could've happened if the "wrong" person picked up that little boy.
Steph
I take mine and pick him up. Terrible stuff goes on on busses these days. Kids have been busted having sex (yep that's right), drinking, drugs, and not to mention the fights. That's the last place I'd want my kid to be. I know busses are necessary for a lot of people, but if you have the option I'd takem my kids to school.
HaileysMom,
I was shocked when I read your post. That little boy definately had an angel watching over him. I too shudder to think what would have happened to him had some pervert got to him first. I sure hope that bus driver was fired. There is NO excuse for that. That driver should have known his/her stops especially when dealing with children that age. Like I said before I will take my baby to school as long as God allows.
Hm we had a bus driver that woudl yell at us and keep all the unruly high schoolers at bay. They also woudl have a checklist of who was coming on and off ,and usually woudl make sure we were ok.
In elementary i don't remember really paying any attention to much the older kids were saying and most of them kept to themselves. But this was at my public school. I jsut had fun in the front. Lol
Again these were my schools, so i guess it proves every schools different.
In our school district we have one school for pre-k, K, and 1st grade. Two schools for 2-5th grades, then the middle school for 6-8, and then high school. I didn't hesitate to put my kids on the bus (they started in pre-k) because they were only with kids in their age group. The three year olds even have their own bus with car seats. The bus drivers at the prek- - 1st school are wonderful. They know exactly who is supposed to be on their bus & who is supposed to meet them at the bus stop & they call us before school starts to introduce themselves. I love our schools! Of course having my husband work at the high school has it's perks too - many other teachers & bus drivers know him & know who our kids are and where they belong. I guess a family's choice about bus riding can depend on where they live & how the schools are structured. Even though I did it when I was a kid, I don't know if I would now put my 4 year old on the same bus with the 12 year olds.
-Lisa
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