how much of a hassle is it to commute with your PK kid on the bus?

[Anonymous]

We're trying to narrow down our list, and some of the schools would involve a bus commute with our 3 year old. How much of a hassle is it? Bad weather, traffic delays, tantrums... Any tips?

[Anonymous]

It's a PITA, but the main problem is the bus itself! Lateness, bunching, overcrowding... all annoying, but not the end of the world. Kid is mostly fine, I have to shush her sometimes if she gets squirrely, but she is not prone to tantrums. Also, if your child is uncomfortable to hold on your lap, that would be a factor. But if it is just one ride on a good bus route, I wouldn't see that as a negative factor.

[Anonymous]

Not bad at all, honestly. Assume it's a straight shot, no transfers? That might be a bit much.

Otherwise yes, some days it's longer than others. Haven't done it in snow yet, but have only had to deal rain one or two days a month.

[Anonymous]

It is such a pain. For us, it is 2 blocks to the bus, but then it's .5 miles from the bus to the school. My 3 year old sometimes will cooperate, often will not. We end up having to leave LOTS of extra time to make sure we arrive on time. On days when it is bad weather I end up having to drive there, then drive back home, park, and go into work.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. DS does not like strangers and needs some personal space--I think that being on an overcrowded bus with him is what I'm most worried about.

[Anonymous]

Not as fun in the bitter cold or snow or really high heat. Really depends on the route. Better if you can pick up right after school rather than in the midst of rush hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks. DS does not like strangers and needs some personal space--I think that being on an overcrowded bus with him is what I'm most worried about.

Then, depending on the bus line, I wouldn't do it. People are usually nice about giving you one seat for the two of you, but often times you can't expect two seats.

I was doing this fine for a while, then I got pregnant and it was hard to hold her on my lap, and I was just so tired, it was tough.

[Anonymous]

My son loved holding the fare card and swiping it. Maybe putting him in charge helped to focus him. People were really nice because they saw us regularly. He sat on my lap, so we didn't use up extra space. Handed him my phone and he practiced his ABCs independently. I just relaxed. It was actually a nice bit of quiet time before the rest of the day took hold.

FWIW, we started this commute well before he turned 3yo. Never had a problem. The bus stop is very near our house, so even if it was raining/snowing, we could get through it quickly. And, he knew we had to hurry in the morning or we'd miss our special bus, the one with all of our friends (familiar commuters) on it.

[Anonymous]

We took the bus occasionally but I felt sorry for the folks who HAD to do it every day. Even with NextBus standing in a freezing rain with your kid is no fun at all. I am not all down on buses like some folks, I actually prefer it to Metro. Like seeing the city go by and the trees and sunshine.

[Anonymous]

Not bad at all. We do it. No big deal. But I guess it depends how far you are going.

[Anonymous]

We commute by bus from near Walter Reed (Aspen Street) using the 14th Street bus to West.

Bus stop is one block up and lets us off directly across the street from the school.

I couldn't imagine transferring and all.

[Anonymous]

We do it but for preK 4, so my kid is already 5 (did it last year but a 3-day/preschool and we had help, so not really comparable).

It's not so bad. He'll soon get used to the routine and know what to do. For the home trip, I always bring a little snack. You might also bring a book or find something on your phone that is only for the bus trip -- get him some headphones and play a couple of dedicated youtube videos that only come out on bus rides.

Traffic delays depend on your route, obviously -- we rarely have problems but it's a neighborhood route, not arterial roads.

[Anonymous]

Just always wish and pray for no snow!

[Anonymous]

It's no big deal - I go back and forth several times a week to school with my 2nd grader and have for 3 years now, often with his 3 year old brother in tow.

The older boy is bored with the bus (but is always reading so no big deal) but the younger one absolutely loves riding.

Snow and cold are no problem and folks usually offer seats though both kids are comfortable standing but my only complaint is doing the trip in the rain when everything is damp and the buses seem to run slower but it only bothers me and not the kids.

If you don't complain and it is what the kids know they won't complain about it either - and my son does get driven to school on occasion too so he has a point of comparison but he is used to it and never objects.

Walking on the other hand, which is a reasonable option for us, is not popular and usually involves a lot of yelling and arguing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're trying to narrow down our list, and some of the schools would involve a bus commute with our 3 year old. How much of a hassle is it? Bad weather, traffic delays, tantrums... Any tips?

If you and your kid take one bus ride together each direction, and that's the only public transportation you're using, then it's ok. Be prepared to take a taxi due to temper tantrum every once in a while.

If you have to change buses or bus to metro with your kid, huge hassle, wouldn't do it.

If you drop your kid and then continue on another bus or metro yourself, I still wouldn't do it but it's easier than with your kid. Depends how strict your start time is at work.