"Should children be alone at the bus stop?"
Is anyone else frightened by the thought of their child standing at a bus stop with no adult supervision?My son just started riding the bus to school. I told him that when he was old enough to be out of a booster seat he could ride the bus. I dreaded this day for years!
So, when he hit the 60 pound mark, I knew he would ask.
Of course, he did.
For the first few days I stood out there with him at the bus stop. Keep in mind that it’s right across the street from my house. I don’t actually have to leave the house to keep an eye on him.
But, when my son realized that I was the only mother that was out there everyday, it was brought to my attention that I was cramping his style. I really don’t care about that, but I decided that I would watch from afar.
My concern is that a child is very vulnerable. They could be kidnapped. I guess it’s much better to have several kids at one bus stop, like my child does. But what about the children that are alone?
Now I sit in the house and watch through the front door. Am I the only mom that does this? He’s only 7. Am I being paranoid?
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posted by Melissa Swanson at 9:11 AM
Melissa is a student, a working mom, and the mother of 4 boys (ages 4, 7, 8, and 10). She is costantly fueled by the tenacity of her boys and their ability to make her laugh! What they say is true, "Laughter is the best medicine!"
21 Comments:
I don't have children in school anymore but I don't think it's a good idea to leave them out by themselves. They could get into a lot of trouble in many ways
I'm the mom of an 8th grader. There are 3 of us that wait for the middle school bus. There is always one of us there in the mornings. No way would I leave my daughter by her self.
I was just wondering if this was a common thing to do. I felt like it was wrong. I guess he'll just have to have his style cramped, LOL!
I don't blame you at all. I walk my 8 and 10 year old girls to the bus stop every day. We live in a gated community but I still don't let my girls out by themselves. You just never know.
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That's true. I worry more about him throwing rocks and hitting someone's car or something like that. I know how boys can be when they all get together. There are about 6 of them at the one bus stop.
We have 2 children that ride the bus we both sit with them each morning ,we spend this time together in the car telling stories and laughing. Iam honest with my children I tell them the reason they cannot stay alone. I often worry about someone waiting at the bus stop in the afternoons to steal them but our bus driver will not stop if their is strange car waiting there since they all walkers we have many neighbors watching the kids come around the corner. I dont think our parents had to wory about this stuff when we were young our children are facing way more today than yesterday. GOOD LUCK
I agree. It's sad what children have to worry about these days. Their "adult issues", but we have to tell our children about them nonetheless. Thank you for writing.
I personally do not think it is a good idea to leave children alone at the busstop. I am grown now with children of my own but when I was in middle school I was stalked and then approaced by a man at the bus stop. He followed my bus to school one day and was caught by undercover police who had been watching after we alerted authorities. We learned that he was a past convicted child molestor.
That's scary. I bet that made you paranoid.
Bus stops are gold mines for child predators. With so many unregistered sex offenders, illegal aliens that are unreported sex offenders and others, it's not safe to leave children of any age alone, anywhere.
I have never let my children wait at the bus stop alone. I either sit with them in the car or watch from my driveway. Otherwise, how would you know if they made it to school. Once, when my child stayed home sick, I forgot to call and tell the school. They called to see where she was at around 2:00. Had something happened, by the time I would get that phone call, it would be too late.
This is true. If he didn't get on the bus, I wouldn't know until it was too late. Good point.
You don't hear too much about predators going to bus stops these days. I know it probably happens, but I felt like it needed to be brought up.
i drive my child to school nowadays but when she did ride the bus i would walk with her to the corner of the street and we would laugh and talk about everything that went on on the bus and at school, i am blessed to have to be at work at 8:30 but most parents arent that fortunate. But it is scary to see lil gils that stand alone in apt complexes on street corners or just walking by themselves, anyone could grab them and no one ever know what happened. Maybe a kid watch like the neighborhood watch for a retired an responsible grandma to sit out and watch the kids would be a help.
I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old. Irregardless of how smothering it makes them feel - I will be at the bus stop with them each morning. Afternoons are slightly different in that they get off the bus and walk down the driveway. Someone is home when they arrive!
I'm seriously thinking about not letting him ride the bus in the mornings anymore. I'm okay with him riding in the afternoon b/c I am home to see him get off the bus; same as you.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions!
I have two 11 year olds; they and their two friends (also 11) wait together early in the morning (the bus picks them up by 6:40am). They always have at least two moms out and watching in the morning. In the afternoon I pick up 3 of them (the fourth lives in the house the bus stops infront of) and deliver them home. We live in a community that is considered very safe; but "you never know". This has always been a part of my children and their friends lives; so for now they have no other option.
I'm starting to feel like I'm not paranoid enough, LOL! I guess that's a good thing.
Hi, I'm new here. I have 2 boys, ages 5 and 7. There are about 15 kids at our bus stop, and at least 6 parents every morning. My kids don't even realize that it's an option for me to NOT be there with them. I wait for them in the afternoon. My greatest fear is that someone would abduct them. NO WAY are they going to be at that bus stop without me!
I have gotten to where I take my son to school now. If he does ride the bus, there I stand; cramped style and all!
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