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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you don't even know what time the bus comes! That says a lot.

Look, figure that out, mentally walk through your alternatives and decide. It seems crazy to let a 6yo walk alone.

But why??? It's a half block, not a mile! He wouldn't even have to cross any streets. A 6 year old should be more than capable to do this.

It's a simple difference of opinion about what's safe.

Yup. And both opinions are okay. You know, since there are LOTS of ways to parent a child.

FFS, don't go calling CPS on either type of parent. Do what you are comfortable with, and let other parents do what they think is okay. Me? I'll sleep and shower, and let my 6 year old get some independence. That said, I'd totally understand if another parent got up early and walked their kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you don't even know what time the bus comes! That says a lot.

Look, figure that out, mentally walk through your alternatives and decide. It seems crazy to let a 6yo walk alone.

But why??? It's a half block, not a mile! He wouldn't even have to cross any streets. A 6 year old should be more than capable to do this.

It's a simple difference of opinion about what's safe.

Um, no. It's a FACT that he is more likely to be hurt or killed being driven to school. It's a FACT that stranger abductions are so rare as to be statistically insignificant. It's a FACT that the vast majority of parents wouldn't have thought twice about allowing their child to walk half a block to the bus stop alone a generation ago. It's a FACT that crime is significantly lower than it was a generation ago. It's a FACT that children are not innately less capable than they were a generation ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People she doesn't feel like doing what she would need to do to accompany her kid to the bus stop!!! Why is that so hard to understand? It would disrupt her routine, which isn't worth it to her. Whatever. Fair enough.

OP here. Thank you. If my child's school start time changed or something else changed, I would change our routine. Our routine is fine the way it is. We live in a neighborhood with large yards and it would be a pain in the ass to walk past the 4 houses plus yards to get to the end of our cul de sac. The bus stop is just out of my vision from our window. I don't want to wake up my elementary school earlier just so he can hang out with his friends for 15 min on the bus ride to school.

And yet you think it is ok for your kindergartener to do this everyday by himself?

What the heck is Op even asking? If waking your 6 year old up early and seeing that he gets to his bus stop safely is a huge pain for you then just continue to drive him. Yeah, he wants to hang with his friends that's understandable. But you're the adult and his safety comes first. Drive him.

Or teach him how to walk the 500 ft to the bus stop safely.

Not possible because the Op has said that the bus stop is not in view of her house. I think that having the bus stop out of view like that puts letting a 6 year old walk alone to it undoable. Or at least that would be out of my own parental comfort zone. I would either adjust my schedule to wait at the stop with him or I would just leave our routine as is and continue to drive him.

They are only little for such a short time...he'll be a 6 ft tall 9th grader before you know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People she doesn't feel like doing what she would need to do to accompany her kid to the bus stop!!! Why is that so hard to understand? It would disrupt her routine, which isn't worth it to her. Whatever. Fair enough.

OP here. Thank you. If my child's school start time changed or something else changed, I would change our routine. Our routine is fine the way it is. We live in a neighborhood with large yards and it would be a pain in the ass to walk past the 4 houses plus yards to get to the end of our cul de sac. The bus stop is just out of my vision from our window. I don't want to wake up my elementary school earlier just so he can hang out with his friends for 15 min on the bus ride to school.

And yet you think it is ok for your kindergartener to do this everyday by himself?

What the heck is Op even asking? If waking your 6 year old up early and seeing that he gets to his bus stop safely is a huge pain for you then just continue to drive him. Yeah, he wants to hang with his friends that's understandable. But you're the adult and his safety comes first. Drive him.

Or teach him how to walk the 500 ft to the bus stop safely.

Not possible because the Op has said that the bus stop is not in view of her house. I think that having the bus stop out of view like that puts letting a 6 year old walk alone to it undoable. Or at least that would be out of my own parental comfort zone. I would either adjust my schedule to wait at the stop with him or I would just leave our routine as is and continue to drive him.

They are only little for such a short time...he'll be a 6 ft tall 9th grader before you know it.

Are you saying that it is impossible to teach a kid how to walk to a bus stop safely if you cannot see them every step of the way? Isn't the definition of "teaching them to do it safely" so that they can do it without you watching them?

I'm 100% on board with doing whatever is within the parent comfort zone (I probably would walk a six year old, myself), but to imply you can't teach them to do it safely if you can't see them is kind of...odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you don't even know what time the bus comes! That says a lot.

Look, figure that out, mentally walk through your alternatives and decide. It seems crazy to let a 6yo walk alone.

But why??? It's a half block, not a mile! He wouldn't even have to cross any streets. A 6 year old should be more than capable to do this.

It's a simple difference of opinion about what's safe.

Yup. And both opinions are okay. You know, since there are LOTS of ways to parent a child.

FFS, don't go calling CPS on either type of parent. Do what you are comfortable with, and let other parents do what they think is okay. Me? I'll sleep and shower, and let my 6 year old get some independence. That said, I'd totally understand if another parent got up early and walked their kid.

+1

I'm 22:34 & I don't care if other parents want to ignore the facts & helicopter their kids. That's their right. I do care, however, when other parents want to criminalize those of us who choose to give our kids age-appropriate freedoms & responsibilities that we, as their parents, feel they are ready for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear GOD OP. Get up BEFORE your children and shower. That way you can walk you child to the bus stop. It's safer. Why the hell would you risk it. If you simply won't get up earlier, then just keep your routine as is. I honestly would report a family for letting a 6 year old go to the bus stop alone. So many things can happen.

You totally should report them if you them walking literally half a block without a parent hovering over them. Maybe then the kids can get ripped away from their parents and placed with strangers in the hell that is the foster care system. The kids will be so glad you "saved" them.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm....lets see. My six year old believes a guy makes toys for every kid in the whole world and delivers them in a single night with the help of flying reindeer. My child is scared of monsters and scary movies. My child is not old enough to legally be home alone. Nope. I would not allow my child to wait alone at a bus stop. I don't think a six year old is mature enough to handle that and it would be cruel of me to allow it knowing how overwhelmed she'd be if something went wrong.

What I would do is ask around to find a stop with multiple kids, get the bus times for that stop and perhaps set up a schedule with other parents to take turns waiting with the kids. If that wasn't possible, I would drive my child to school.

My six year old does not have a cell phone and does not know how to make a call. If my child missed the bus while waiting all alone I wouldn't know until the police and CPS gave me a call. I'd like to skip that call.

OP your son will have plenty of time to do this when he is old enough. Right now he is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm....lets see. My six year old believes a guy makes toys for every kid in the whole world and delivers them in a single night with the help of flying reindeer. My child is scared of monsters and scary movies. My child is not old enough to legally be home alone. Nope. I would not allow my child to wait alone at a bus stop. I don't think a six year old is mature enough to handle that and it would be cruel of me to allow it knowing how overwhelmed she'd be if something went wrong.

What I would do is ask around to find a stop with multiple kids, get the bus times for that stop and perhaps set up a schedule with other parents to take turns waiting with the kids. If that wasn't possible, I would drive my child to school.

My six year old does not have a cell phone and does not know how to make a call. If my child missed the bus while waiting all alone I wouldn't know until the police and CPS gave me a call. I'd like to skip that call.

OP your son will have plenty of time to do this when he is old enough. Right now he is not.

No, right now your kid is not ready, and that's okay. Let others decide what is okay for their kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People she doesn't feel like doing what she would need to do to accompany her kid to the bus stop!!! Why is that so hard to understand? It would disrupt her routine, which isn't worth it to her. Whatever. Fair enough.

OP here. Thank you. If my child's school start time changed or something else changed, I would change our routine. Our routine is fine the way it is. We live in a neighborhood with large yards and it would be a pain in the ass to walk past the 4 houses plus yards to get to the end of our cul de sac. The bus stop is just out of my vision from our window. I don't want to wake up my elementary school earlier just so he can hang out with his friends for 15 min on the bus ride to school.

And yet you think it is ok for your kindergartener to do this everyday by himself?

What the heck is Op even asking? If waking your 6 year old up early and seeing that he gets to his bus stop safely is a huge pain for you then just continue to drive him. Yeah, he wants to hang with his friends that's understandable. But you're the adult and his safety comes first. Drive him.

Or teach him how to walk the 500 ft to the bus stop safely.

Not possible because the Op has said that the bus stop is not in view of her house. I think that having the bus stop out of view like that puts letting a 6 year old walk alone to it undoable. Or at least that would be out of my own parental comfort zone. I would either adjust my schedule to wait at the stop with him or I would just leave our routine as is and continue to drive him.

They are only little for such a short time...he'll be a 6 ft tall 9th grader before you know it.

Are you saying that it is impossible to teach a kid how to walk to a bus stop safely if you cannot see them every step of the way? Isn't the definition of "teaching them to do it safely" so that they can do it without you watching them?

I'm 100% on board with doing whatever is within the parent comfort zone (I probably would walk a six year old, myself), but to imply you can't teach them to do it safely if you can't see them is kind of...odd.

We are talking about a 6 year old. A Kindergartner. This conversation is about what is age appropriate for a 6 year old not a 3rd grader or a middle school kid - a Kinder. I personally would not feel comfortable allowing my 6 year old to walk to and stand at a bus stop that was not in my view. I would personally feel more comfortable driving the child to school. That is me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm....lets see. My six year old believes a guy makes toys for every kid in the whole world and delivers them in a single night with the help of flying reindeer. My child is scared of monsters and scary movies. My child is not old enough to legally be home alone. Nope. I would not allow my child to wait alone at a bus stop. I don't think a six year old is mature enough to handle that and it would be cruel of me to allow it knowing how overwhelmed she'd be if something went wrong.

What I would do is ask around to find a stop with multiple kids, get the bus times for that stop and perhaps set up a schedule with other parents to take turns waiting with the kids. If that wasn't possible, I would drive my child to school.

My six year old does not have a cell phone and does not know how to make a call. If my child missed the bus while waiting all alone I wouldn't know until the police and CPS gave me a call. I'd like to skip that call.

OP your son will have plenty of time to do this when he is old enough. Right now he is not.

A cell phone? The bus stop is four houses away. If the child misses the bus, couldn't he just walk home? This is not rocket science, even for a 6 year old.

[Anonymous]

For me the issue isn't walking safely. It's what happens if the child misses the bus. I'm not a helicopter parent. I know my kid can walk to a bus stop. I also know that my kid would not know how to handle missing the bus. She can't even turn the lever on the front door. How in the hell am I supposed to give her a key knowing full well that if she walked back home she couldn't open the door herself anyway. Can your six year old even tell time to know how long they've been waiting to determine that the bus is clearly not coming at a certain point? I'm all for independence but what is the plan if the child doesn't make the bus. This child is alone at the stop, correct?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me the issue isn't walking safely. It's what happens if the child misses the bus. I'm not a helicopter parent. I know my kid can walk to a bus stop. I also know that my kid would not know how to handle missing the bus. She can't even turn the lever on the front door. How in the hell am I supposed to give her a key knowing full well that if she walked back home she couldn't open the door herself anyway. Can your six year old even tell time to know how long they've been waiting to determine that the bus is clearly not coming at a certain point? I'm all for independence but what is the plan if the child doesn't make the bus. This child is alone at the stop, correct?

Wait, the mom is at home with another kid, right? So special snowflake misses the bus? He walks the four houses back and mom's still there. Or did I miss something?

And really? Your kindergartner can't figure out what to do if they miss the bus? You can't role play that one out? My kindergartner can unlock my phone, download the latest LEGO ap, and facetime with her dad before I realize the phone is gone. (Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration) Don't tell me he can't turn around, figure out which house is his, and walk the exact same way back home.

[Anonymous]

You said he doesn't need to cross road but Does he need to walk pass other's house driveway where cars may back out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me the issue isn't walking safely. It's what happens if the child misses the bus. I'm not a helicopter parent. I know my kid can walk to a bus stop. I also know that my kid would not know how to handle missing the bus. She can't even turn the lever on the front door. How in the hell am I supposed to give her a key knowing full well that if she walked back home she couldn't open the door herself anyway. Can your six year old even tell time to know how long they've been waiting to determine that the bus is clearly not coming at a certain point? I'm all for independence but what is the plan if the child doesn't make the bus. This child is alone at the stop, correct?

Wait, the mom is at home with another kid, right? So special snowflake misses the bus? He walks the four houses back and mom's still there. Or did I miss something?

And really? Your kindergartner can't figure out what to do if they miss the bus? You can't role play that one out? My kindergartner can unlock my phone, download the latest LEGO ap, and facetime with her dad before I realize the phone is gone. (Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration) Don't tell me he can't turn around, figure out which house is his, and walk the exact same way back home.

The child will need a watch to determine what time to walk back him because he likely missed the bus. Does OP drive past the stop? If not the kid could still be waiting and walk home after she leaves? Can he use the key to get in? This isn't special snowflake territory it's common sense. If you want to teach independence you need to teach your kid the skills they need to carry it through.

Can the child tell time, use the key, get the door open, make a call to the parents? These are legitimate things your child should be able to do in this situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me the issue isn't walking safely. It's what happens if the child misses the bus. I'm not a helicopter parent. I know my kid can walk to a bus stop. I also know that my kid would not know how to handle missing the bus. She can't even turn the lever on the front door. How in the hell am I supposed to give her a key knowing full well that if she walked back home she couldn't open the door herself anyway. Can your six year old even tell time to know how long they've been waiting to determine that the bus is clearly not coming at a certain point? I'm all for independence but what is the plan if the child doesn't make the bus. This child is alone at the stop, correct?

Wait, the mom is at home with another kid, right? So special snowflake misses the bus? He walks the four houses back and mom's still there. Or did I miss something?

And really? Your kindergartner can't figure out what to do if they miss the bus? You can't role play that one out? My kindergartner can unlock my phone, download the latest LEGO ap, and facetime with her dad before I realize the phone is gone. (Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration) Don't tell me he can't turn around, figure out which house is his, and walk the exact same way back home.

The child will need a watch to determine what time to walk back him because he likely missed the bus. Does OP drive past the stop? If not the kid could still be waiting and walk home after she leaves? Can he use the key to get in? This isn't special snowflake territory it's common sense. If you want to teach independence you need to teach your kid the skills they need to carry it through.

Can the child tell time, use the key, get the door open, make a call to the parents? These are legitimate things your child should be able to do in this situation.

I don't disagree (well, except about the key part. I leave the door unlocked when I'm home, but then again, I like to live on the edge) but I think these are skills that some kindergartners could easily manage.