Why can't kids take the bus ?

[Anonymous]

If your kid is a junior, why can’t she drive herself to school? My kids drove themselves starting at 16.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you OP.
My 12 year old takes the city bus to 7th grade.
We can't drive her because we have to be at jobs that allow us to afford the tuition for the school she takes the bus too.

The good thing is that it's made her pretty darn independent: she can keep track of the schedule, interact with other adults as needed, troubleshoot when problems arise (bus is late), etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had great talks with my dad when he'd drive me to school. He taught me more about periods than my mom ever did. He gave me work advice. I listened to music I liked.

I arrived at school calm and confident.

Hopefully my dad appreciated the time he spent with me also.

OP here. Thank you for this as I do realize it is about my perspective and that with a different perspective I would be enjoying our time together. Part of it is my 16 old DD and our level of engagement as she is playing on her phone with eardbuds in while I drive which further increaes my frustration. Perhaps the new deal is if you want me to drive you we have to engage, i.e. no phone and earbuds.

I am glad that you enjoyed your time with your Dad.

I did this. Some of my best conversations ended up happening with my youngest. He complained for about a week. Then it was quite enjoyable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is a junior, why can’t she drive herself to school? My kids drove themselves starting at 16.

I also have a HS junior....if a kid did not run out and get their learner's permit on the first day they were eligible, chances are theydo not have their license yet.

And when my kid does get her license, she will not be driving to school, as both our cars are necessary for our jobs.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you, OP. I do not get these parents that insist on driving their kids and creating extra traffic and pollution when the bus is already going (absent some special issue).

My kids took the bus when offered. Then took a city bus and then subway. it makes them independent and teaches them street smarts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school bus or the city bus? If school bus, your wife is crazy and you shouldn’t defer to her.

Remind me what is wrong with the city bus? My 12 year old has been riding one to school regularly for 2 years now so I'd love to know. Please also let us know the last time you rode on a city bus.

[Anonymous]

What are your wife's reasons?

[Anonymous]

You wife is a PIA. Kids take the bus and STFU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am fine with driving my kids to school. I did not find the school bus particularly safe, the driver particularly reliable or punctual, the kids particularly well-mannered and the extra 20-30 minutes to get to the bus-stop and wait particularly good use of time. My kids take the bus back home as we are the first drop off in the evening.

WTF. So the AM bus is no good, but the PM bus has well mannered kids and a safer ride so you allow it? LOL

Okay helicopter.

[Anonymous]

If they don’t take the bus, how do they get around everywhere? You all drive them everywhere they want to go? I can’t imagine my kids hanging around waiting for me to drive them everywhere they want to go.

[Anonymous]

Look at the bigger picture. Is your DD entitled in other ways? If so, you have a wife problem (control issues), not a daughter problem. Use the time to talk to you DD about her independence, going away to college, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your youngest is a Junior in high school. You lost this battle five or ten years ago. Yes, your wife is ridiculous, but unless you can build a time machine you need to let it go!

This is so true.

I would have solved this issue by saying the kids take the bus on my days. Done. Your kid is almost an adult so you already lost the battle and the war a LONG time ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is a junior, why can’t she drive herself to school? My kids drove themselves starting at 16.

Not every junior has

a. a driver's license
b. a car

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your youngest is a Junior in high school. You lost this battle five or ten years ago. Yes, your wife is ridiculous, but unless you can build a time machine you need to let it go!

This is so true.

I would have solved this issue by saying the kids take the bus on my days. Done. Your kid is almost an adult so you already lost the battle and the war a LONG time ago.

I disagree. There's no reason the kid can't start taking the bus now.

[Anonymous]

I don’t ow what the bus your kid would ride is like, but my MS students complain about bullying and sexual harassment On the bus. DH teaches at a different school and they regularly have to pull the camera footage to verify who assaulted whom first. Students riding the busses to our schools are from middle class neighborhoods.