Should I let my 5 year old ride the school bus? (sitter, baby)

[glass_of_merlot]

My son start kindergarten in August. He just turned 5 years old in May. Many kids in our neighborhood takes the bus but I am really concerned letting my only child on a bus by himself. I talked to my ex baby sitter and she told me all her kids take the bus and have been sense they started school. She says it teaches them independence. Well, I am really worried and not comfortable at all with the idea. He is still so childish and trust everybody, maybe a little bit too much. If something would happen to him; I would never forgive myself.
How do you guys feel. Should I let go and let him ride the bus or should I drive him to school myself. I am available to drop him off at school every day if I choose to. Do you feel I am to over protective?

[maja]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

My son start kindergarten in August. He just turned 5 years old in May. Many kids in our neighborhood takes the bus but I am really concerned letting my only child on a bus by himself. I talked to my ex baby sitter and she told me all her kids take the bus and have been sense they started school. She says it teaches them independence. Well, I am really worried and not comfortable at all with the idea. He is still so childish and trustworthy. If something would happen to him; I would never forgive myself.
How do you guys feel. Should I let go and let him ride the bus or should I drive him to school myself. I am available to drop him off at school every day if I choose to. Do you feel I am to over protective?

Not at all. Drive him if you can. Mine didn't start riding the bus until 2nd grade. Even then, there was a lot that went on, on that bus ride that made me uncomfortable, but at least my child was 7/8 with a bit more maturity; not five.JMHO

BTW, the car rides back and forth from school are a really great opportunity for chats about what's happening in school. A lot "pops up" spontaneously during these trips. Good luck. Enjoy it. It all goes by so fast after kindergarten.

[aidxen]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

My son start kindergarten in August. He just turned 5 years old in May. Many kids in our neighborhood takes the bus

Many helpers to look after him

but I am really concerned letting my only child on a bus by himself. I talked to my ex baby sitter and she told me all her kids take the bus and have been sense they started school. She says it teaches them independence.

There you go. Not so unique after all. And blow me down if last generation it was the norm.

Well, I am really worried and not comfortable at all with the idea. He is still so childish and trustworthy.

Good to hear that he is trustworthy.

If something would happen to him; I would never forgive myself.

I seem to recall recently seeing a report about kid that saved the bus by taking the wheel. Maybe your kid will drive the bus some day sooner than you think.

How do you guys feel. Should I let go and let him ride the bus or should I drive him to school myself. I am available to drop him off at school every day if I choose to. Do you feel I am to over protective?

Yes.

What actually is the perceived risk.
The bus will crash?
He will get on the wrong bus on the way home?
The bus driver will kidnap him?
Someone will comandeer the bus and drive it at 50mph?
He will be having such fun on the way home that he will forget to get off?
He will learn some dirty jokes ?

My bet is that it is more dangerous for the kid to wander around in the car park waiting to get picked up while a stack of tired distracted parents in their SUVs are cruising looking for their kids.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by aidxen

Many helpers to look after him

There you go. Not so unique after all. And blow me down if last generation it was the norm.

Good to hear that he is trusting

I seem to recall recently seeing a report about kid that saved the bus by taking the wheel. Maybe your kid will drive the bus some day sooner than you think.

Yes.

What actually is the perceived risk.
The bus will crash?
He will get on the wrong bus on the way home?
The bus driver will kidnap him?
Someone will comandeer the bus and drive it at 50mph?
He will be having such fun on the way home that he will forget to get off?
He will learn some dirty jokes ?

My bet is that it is more dangerous for the kid to wander around in the car park with a stack of tired distracted parents in their SUVs.

I am scared to death that he would be kidnapped. I hear it on the news. Just a while ago a kid was kidnapped and murdered on the way to school. My kid would be the type who would walk up to a stranger that offered candy. That is what I mean by trustworthy. If that is the right word for it. I know it is not likely but it still scares me.

[maja]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

I am scared to death that he would be kidnapped. I hear it on the news. Just a while ago a kid was kidnapped and murdered on the way to school. My kid would be the type who would walk up to a stranger that offered candy. That is what I mean by trustworthy. If that is the right word for it.

I think you mean, "trusting."

[BuckeyezRule]

Trust your gut. It usually isn't wrong.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by maja

I think you mean, "trusting."

Thanks I am still having difficulties in English. I appreciate your help.

[Penguin_ie]

So it isn't the bus itself you are worried about- because no kidnapping would happen there-, but the walking to the bus stop and waiting? Two solutions: walk him and wait with him (I see several moms doing that here), or if there are other kindergarteners in the area, start a "buddy system" where two or more kids always go together.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

My son start kindergarten in August. He just turned 5 years old in May. Many kids in our neighborhood takes the bus but I am really concerned letting my only child on a bus by himself. I talked to my ex baby sitter and she told me all her kids take the bus and have been sense they started school. She says it teaches them independence. Well, I am really worried and not comfortable at all with the idea. He is still so childish and trust everybody, maybe a little bit too much. If something would happen to him; I would never forgive myself.
How do you guys feel. Should I let go and let him ride the bus or should I drive him to school myself. I am available to drop him off at school every day if I choose to. Do you feel I am to over protective?

I can only share my life experience here.

Born 11/02/1959, I was 4 1/2 when I started kindergarten. I walked to kindergarten by myself each day.

Shortly after I turned 5, I was struck by a moving vehicle when I was pushed into traffic. I had incurred skull injuries and was blind for weeks.

I question each day if my parents ever loved me.

[Eresh]

Around here the kinder parents wait at the bus stop with their children and are there in the afternoons when the bus drops them off.
My oldest is starting kindergarten this year too, but I have to be at work too early for her to ride the bus. So I will be dropping her off at daycare, and she will ride their bus to school.