picking up your kids from the school bus

[Anonymous]

This happens at our bus stop every single day. The same parents pick their kids up day in and day out even though it's less than a five minute walk. I'm talking about middle schoolers and high schoolers.

It's funny how people flip flop so much on how they feel about helicopter parenting, and for the most part, this is most certainly an example of that. Unless there is a specific reason on any given day, how will your kids learn independence?

It seems ironic that the same kids that are given the privilege of a $500 phone are not given the responsibility of walking two blocks from the bus stop to their front door.

[Anonymous]

I walk usually, even if it's raining as long as it's not pouring buckets. However, I've had a sprained ankle the last two weeks so I've been driving. You never know why people choose to drive. MYOB, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm driving because I'm picking them up on the way to go somewhere other than home.

+1

My daughter gets dropped off at 3:40pm and I have to be in downtown at 4pm to pick up my other daughter from private school. My daughter loves the bus so I let her take it (instead of picking her up from school) and pick her up at the bus stop with a snack and head straight to get other daughter. The times my daughter stays after school later, we walk and usually don't walk into the house until 3:55pm. So the car is a must those days.

3x a week in the morning, I teach preschool so I leave straight from the bus stop. Today, I just drove her right to the school. Now she is in 1st grade. As soon as she hits 8yrs old, she will be walking on her own in the morning - rain, snow or wind. I would only drive for thunderstorms and really icy sidewalks.

We are big walkers but this year, it doesn't fit into our schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This happens at our bus stop every single day. The same parents pick their kids up day in and day out even though it's less than a five minute walk. I'm talking about middle schoolers and high schoolers.

It's funny how people flip flop so much on how they feel about helicopter parenting, and for the most part, this is most certainly an example of that. Unless there is a specific reason on any given day, how will your kids learn independence?

It seems ironic that the same kids that are given the privilege of a $500 phone are not given the responsibility of walking two blocks from the bus stop to their front door.

For middle schoolers and high schoolers? Seriously! I would never. I personally wish all kids in our development would walk up together. The fact that there are 9 kids AND 9 parents at our bus stop is a little ridiculous. The kids should be able to walk to the bus stop on their own, even in elementary school. Growing up, we never once had a parent at our bus stop other than the first day of school. The kids took care of each other.

[Anonymous]

I really can't imagine any parent wanting to get in their car, drive over 1 block, pick up their kid and drive back by choice. It's a hassle. I would bet that 99% of the drivers are either on their way back from someplace or are picking their kids up and taking them somewhere.

OP, why don't you do a poll of those "lazy" parents.

[Anonymous]

I do this on rainy days because I have a preschooler who is too old for the stroller, but a pain to deal with the umbrella. Our bus is not always on time, so I don't want to be standing out there with a four year old for 15 minutes in the pouring rain, and then have to walk a block home with them swinging the umbrella all over the place. When I drive the preschooler can just stay in the car.

Also, I know others who pick up by car because they need to get their kids to an activity, and it would take extra time to walk, go in the garage, etc. It's faster to just have the car there.

[Anonymous]

Because why get wet when you can stay dry? You really need to ask why some people would prefer to drive and wait in a car on rainy days?

Being wet is annoying. It makes my hair frizz, even with an umbrella or hood. My clothes and shoes always end up at least a little damp even with a raincoat and umbrella and I don't feel like changing clothes or being damp. I have a toddler that I take to the bus stop and his legs would get wet in the stroller, and I keep the stroller indoors and would rather not have wet muddy stroller wheels. Why on earth would you care?

[Anonymous]

I did it today only because my son brought two friends with him and it is several blocks. I didn't want three soaked to the bone boys arriving with no clothes to change into.

[Anonymous]

Um - I do it when it is pouring to be nice - I wouldn't want to stand outside and wait for a bus for 15 minutes - the buses this year have sucked - the new times are hard and my middle school DS's bus has really an inconsistent schedule. Maybe I'm just being nice to my son (who by the way, walks every day back and forth alone except for pouring rain when I am available).

[Anonymous]

I don't care if they want to drive. What i really hate though is when they sit there with their car on idle. While we stand outside right next to their cars waiting for our kids! Or in the morning, while the kids are standing there waiting for the bus. I guess it's okay for the rest of us to breathe their toxic air as long as they can stay cosy in their car!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um - I do it when it is pouring to be nice - I wouldn't want to stand outside and wait for a bus for 15 minutes - the buses this year have sucked - the new times are hard and my middle school DS's bus has really an inconsistent schedule. Maybe I'm just being nice to my son (who by the way, walks every day back and forth alone except for pouring rain when I am available).

+1 to the inconsistent schedule. The bus comes anywhere from 4:45 to 5:10. I am not standing on the rain for 30 minutes. Also, many days I am on my way to pick up another child.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I pick up from three different stops, and have a toddler in the van. Sorry, nope, not walking, especially not with a toddler who will refuse to ride in the stroller, and kids who will proceed to pull every single thing out of the backpacks to discuss while dropping everything on the ground.

[Anonymous]

Everyone in our family owns rain boots, pants, jackets, and umbrellas. And that's that. I understand people who are sick or have little kids with them trying to avoid rain. Besides that I (not grown up in the US) honestly believe most DC people must be made from sugar. That's how much everyone avoids rain. Our kids walk, no matter the weather. Only if it's not safe do they not walk. Hasn't happened yet. Don't think it will any time soon.

In general the parents in our neighborhood all pick up their kids from the bus stop. And I am talking a one street cul-de-sac neighborhood that has about 20 houses. Not more. And it's a circle. So yeah...getting from the bus to ANY house in the entire neighborhood takes a maximum of less than 5 minutes by foot. It's absolutely ridiculous and nothing else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone in our family owns rain boots, pants, jackets, and umbrellas. And that's that. I understand people who are sick or have little kids with them trying to avoid rain. Besides that I (not grown up in the US) honestly believe most DC people must be made from sugar. That's how much everyone avoids rain. Our kids walk, no matter the weather. Only if it's not safe do they not walk. Hasn't happened yet. Don't think it will any time soon.

In general the parents in our neighborhood all pick up their kids from the bus stop. And I am talking a one street cul-de-sac neighborhood that has about 20 houses. Not more. And it's a circle. So yeah...getting from the bus to ANY house in the entire neighborhood takes a maximum of less than 5 minutes by foot. It's absolutely ridiculous and nothing else.

Exactly this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here. I pick up from three different stops, and have a toddler in the van. Sorry, nope, not walking, especially not with a toddler who will refuse to ride in the stroller, and kids who will proceed to pull every single thing out of the backpacks to discuss while dropping everything on the ground.

How old are all these kids you have to pick up? Can't any of them walk without a Nanny to hold their hand


I personally can not stand the parents of older kids who STILL pick their kids up. Let the kids walk, exercise, hang out with hands on the way home. Stop coddling!!! My daughter is in 2nd and I so want to let her do this but all the 4/5th grade mommies are still walking everyday with them. Come on already.