How old does a child have to be to wait for a school bus alone?

[Anonymous]

My son just turned 6 and is currently in kindergarten. Currently I drive him to school every morning at kiss n ride. DS WANTS to take the bus in the morning. Just wondering if it is ok for him to walk half a block to the bus stop. I am not sure if I would even feel comfortable with it but I am wondering if there is some age cut off. We are in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Can't you just walk him to the stop?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just walk him to the stop?

I have a second younger child whose preschool starts at 9. I am not even sure what time the bus comes but I know it would be about 40 min earlier than when we need to be out the door.

[Anonymous]

I would feel comfortable with a 6 year old walking that distance home from the bus, but not to the bus in the morning. If he misses the bus, you wouldn't know and he might not know what to do.

I agree with pp, if he wants to take the bus, just walk him yourself.

[Anonymous]

My DS is a patrol, and he has been instructed to let the school bus driver and the patrol coordinator know if any Kindergarten students are waiting for the bus alone (without an adult present) or dropped off at a bus stop without an adult present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just walk him to the stop?

I have a second younger child whose preschool starts at 9. I am not even sure what time the bus comes but I know it would be about 40 min earlier than when we need to be out the door.

Can you find a neighborhood kid for him to buddy with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just walk him to the stop?

I have a second younger child whose preschool starts at 9. I am not even sure what time the bus comes but I know it would be about 40 min earlier than when we need to be out the door.

I don't understand why that would keep you from walking him to the bus. It's half a block -- you and he and the younger child walk out there, he gets on the bus, the rest of you go back home. The younger child could even still be in pajamas if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just walk him to the stop?

I have a second younger child whose preschool starts at 9. I am not even sure what time the bus comes but I know it would be about 40 min earlier than when we need to be out the door.

I would never let a child that young do that. Not for many years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned 6 and is currently in kindergarten. Currently I drive him to school every morning at kiss n ride. DS WANTS to take the bus in the morning. Just wondering if it is ok for him to walk half a block to the bus stop. I am not sure if I would even feel comfortable with it but I am wondering if there is some age cut off. We are in Fairfax County.

It isn't an age cut off. Kindergarteners need an adult at the bus stop for pick up and drop off. Next year, it will be fine. Why can't you walk to the bus stop with him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned 6 and is currently in kindergarten. Currently I drive him to school every morning at kiss n ride. DS WANTS to take the bus in the morning. Just wondering if it is ok for him to walk half a block to the bus stop. I am not sure if I would even feel comfortable with it but I am wondering if there is some age cut off. We are in Fairfax County.

It's simple, your child doesn't always get what he wants.
If you let him take the bus, then haul your ass to walk or drive him to the bus stop.

[Anonymous]

I'd let the kid do it in first grade. I'd spend the rest of this year prepping them. What to do if you miss the bus, what to do if a driver stops to talk to you or offers you a ride, what to do if this or that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned 6 and is currently in kindergarten. Currently I drive him to school every morning at kiss n ride. DS WANTS to take the bus in the morning. Just wondering if it is ok for him to walk half a block to the bus stop. I am not sure if I would even feel comfortable with it but I am wondering if there is some age cut off. We are in Fairfax County.

It isn't an age cut off. Kindergarteners need an adult at the bus stop for pick up and drop off. Next year, it will be fine. Why can't you walk to the bus stop with him?

Because she is lazy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just walk him to the stop?

I have a second younger child whose preschool starts at 9. I am not even sure what time the bus comes but I know it would be about 40 min earlier than when we need to be out the door.

I would never let a child that young do that. Not for many years.

You wouldn't let a six-year-old walk half a block to the school bus stop? Would you let an eight-year-old? Would you let a ten-year-old? How old would the child need to be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just turned 6 and is currently in kindergarten. Currently I drive him to school every morning at kiss n ride. DS WANTS to take the bus in the morning. Just wondering if it is ok for him to walk half a block to the bus stop. I am not sure if I would even feel comfortable with it but I am wondering if there is some age cut off. We are in Fairfax County.

It isn't an age cut off. Kindergarteners need an adult at the bus stop for pick up and drop off. Next year, it will be fine. Why can't you walk to the bus stop with him?

OP, I agree with this. If that's the rule for kindergarteners, then walk with him this year, and let him walk by himself next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't you just walk him to the stop?

I have a second younger child whose preschool starts at 9. I am not even sure what time the bus comes but I know it would be about 40 min earlier than when we need to be out the door.

I would never let a child that young do that. Not for many years.

"Many" years? To walk half a block & wait for a school bus?? How many???