Is this a MYOB situation??

[tlbwriter]

The only time the school cares about students at the bus stop with parents is K, so calling the school and reporting would do nothing.

Don't assume everyone's situation is the same as your own. In some districts, the schools have jurisdiction over the bus stops and they would absolutely do something.

 

[Kathi OD]

...They gossip, etc... I have a feeling it has more to do with socializing than keeping kids safe....

There's more truth in that statement than most people would like to admit!

 

[ajk912]

I also wonder about the parents who send their elementary aged kids to the bus stop unsupervised. Every bus stop that I have ever seen the elementary kids are all running around and playing tag and screwing around while waiting for the bus. Who is supposed to make sure your kid doesn't run in front of a car while goofing around? Or walking all over someone else's property? Or someone isn't picking on one of the other kids because they are bored? Because you know they are goofing around, unless your kid is the only one at the bus stop. Also, with many schools nowadays not even calling if your kid is absent till later in the day, if your kid ended up getting abducted you wouldn't know till 3pm.

I am suprised that some schools would get involved with bus stop supervision. I would be annoyed as heck that taxpayer dollars are getting involved with such issues. Until the kid is ON the bus, the child is the parent's responsibility, IMO.

I think by middle school the kids should be able to behave, but in elementary school they goof off too much. If you have a friend watch over your kid, no big deal, but someone should be watching out for the kids. And I do get annoyed at "my kid will be more independent than your kid" arguments people use..Oh for Pete's sake, you don't get a prize for being first. There's a lot of growing up the kids do in their years, think of how much a kid grows from age 1 to age 6. That's only 5 years. But some think that a nine year old should be almost as mature as a fourteen year old? Why? They have 5 years of growing yet to do! Think of how much our kids change in just ONE school year. Elementary aged kids are still very much a KID.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We walk our kids to the bus stop here through elementary school (3rd grade) once they go to middle school its taboo for a parent to be seen at the bus stop.

No we don't live in a dangerous neighborhood, its just what we as parents here in our neighborhood do. I don't consider it a burden or a chore. I love watching my daughter (1st grade) get on the bus and she loves waving to me as the bus drives off. And I love waiting for her at the bus stop as she runs to me and gives me a huge hug at the end of her school day.

I'm not considered a hellicopter parent. Like I said its just what we do here in this neighborhood. We have alot of new construction and there are constantly big trucks and many construction workers riding through here. I wouldn't want her standing at the bus stop alone. I don't know what they do in the other neighborhoods. But thats what we do here. Yes I walked over a mile when I have in 2nd grade to school by myself. But that was then this is now. Two differnt moments in time.

As far as the kids at the OP's bus stop, I would probably not do anything. Those kids got their smart mouth and not taking direction well somewhere. I would guess the parents. Sounds like they wouldn't be very receptive to what anyone would say about their sweet little snowflakes.

 

[woodkins]

I have to say I am shocked over all of the posts about how inconvenient it is for the parents to have to walk their kids to the bus stop....seriously? They are your kids and they are your responsibility. How hard is it to walk them 2 or three blocks and stand there for the 5 minutes it takes for the bus to get there. I'll bet after a child is hit by a car or abducted by a stranger they would be changing their tune.

I am the poster who's school district requires a parent/authorized adult to be at the bust stop for students up to age 4th gr (5th & 6th can be released alone). No one has challenged the district on it because it is a good policy and a safety issue. We have had instances of kids being approached by strange vehicles etc & it is always the Junior High or High school kids..why? because there are no adults there. It hasn't happened at the elementary bus stops.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Don't assume everyone's situation is the same as your own. In some districts, the schools have jurisdiction over the bus stops and they would absolutely do something.

I am not assuming that. I should have added that in my district it would mean nothing, sorry.

Now if they were destroying property or getting high, then you could get the police involved.

 

[Hannathy]

they'd be taking my kids back to school every. single. day. If I think my kids are mature enough to walk home from the bus stop, then they're old enough. I'm surprised that some parent hasn't fought the district on this issue.



Probably the best idea put forth.



It depends on the state. In some states the bus stop is considered school property.



So because the district created an unsafe situation by choosing to have a bus stop that serves over 100 students at the same time, parents need to be inconvenienced by picking up their children at the bus stop? I'd be organizing the revolt.

Just wanted to say I'm right there with you! I'd be right at that meeting with you. There is no way in the world that I'm walking a 4th grader home or being at their bus stop.
I also don't know how they are able to mandate some of these rule, because it isn't the school decision what I do with my child after their hours. I don't know how they can legally hold a child after the set hours.
until this current generation kids have been waiting at bus stops for decades and still can. the idea that it is any more dangerous than it used to be is a fallacy but people who think their children can't learn to stand and wait for a bus, or walk to school alone, will never believe no matter how many facts are shown to them.

 

[Acklander]

I have to say I am shocked over all of the posts about how inconvenient it is for the parents to have to walk their kids to the bus stop....seriously? They are your kids and they are your responsibility. How hard is it to walk them 2 or three blocks and stand there for the 5 minutes it takes for the bus to get there. I'll bet after a child is hit by a car or abducted by a stranger they would be changing their tune.
.

It's not that I think it's inconvenient, it's that I think it's not needed. Yes, they are my kids and my responsibility - but I also consider it my responsibility to teach my child independence. You say, how hard is it to walk them 2 or 3 blocks and stand there for 5 minutes - I ask you, how hard is it for an elementary age child to walk 2 or 3 blocks and stand for 5 minutes? My child doesn't walk in the street (sidewalks the entire way) and the chances of being abducted are next to nil - so I don't worry about it. I also don't worry about him being struck by lightening when it's raining out - could it happen? sure, but the odds are so against it that I'll save my energy for things like making sure he fastens his seat belt or wears a helmet while riding a bike.

If you want to wait a while longer before giving a little space to your kids, that's your choice, and in the end I'm sure both our kids are going to be just fine, but there's no need to get all "shocked" about how other parents do it. Just because I choose to go the early independence route does not mean that I consider my child an inconvenience, I'm irresponsible or I don't love my child as much as you do. I just have different priorities than you. Neither is right or wrong.

 

[mamacatnv]

It's not that I think it's inconvenient, it's that I think it's not needed. Yes, they are my kids and my responsibility - but I also consider it my responsibility to teach my child independence. You say, how hard is it to walk them 2 or 3 blocks and stand there for 5 minutes - I ask you, how hard is it for an elementary age child to walk 2 or 3 blocks and stand for 5 minutes? My child doesn't walk in the street (sidewalks the entire way) and the chances of being abducted are next to nil - so I don't worry about it. I also don't worry about him being struck by lightening when it's raining out - could it happen? sure, but the odds are so against it that I'll save my energy for things like making sure he fastens his seat belt or wears a helmet while riding a bike.

If you want to wait a while longer before giving a little space to your kids, that's your choice, and in the end I'm sure both our kids are going to be just fine, but there's no need to get all "shocked" about how other parents do it. Just because I choose to go the early independence route does not mean that I consider my child an inconvenience, I'm irresponsible or I don't love my child as much as you do. I just have different priorities than you. Neither is right or wrong.

 

[tlbwriter]

It's not that I think it's inconvenient, it's that I think it's not needed. Yes, they are my kids and my responsibility - but I also consider it my responsibility to teach my child independence. You say, how hard is it to walk them 2 or 3 blocks and stand there for 5 minutes - I ask you, how hard is it for an elementary age child to walk 2 or 3 blocks and stand for 5 minutes? My child doesn't walk in the street (sidewalks the entire way) and the chances of being abducted are next to nil - so I don't worry about it. I also don't worry about him being struck by lightening when it's raining out - could it happen? sure, but the odds are so against it that I'll save my energy for things like making sure he fastens his seat belt or wears a helmet while riding a bike.

If you want to wait a while longer before giving a little space to your kids, that's your choice, and in the end I'm sure both our kids are going to be just fine, but there's no need to get all "shocked" about how other parents do it. Just because I choose to go the early independence route does not mean that I consider my child an inconvenience, I'm irresponsible or I don't love my child as much as you do. I just have different priorities than you. Neither is right or wrong.

Agree with this. I would be the parent who supervises for a longer period of time, but I would not say the parent who promotes independence faster is being irresponsible or considers their child an inconvenience.

ETA... and it's funny you mention bike helmets and seatbelts, because I used to have a neighbor who was always squawking about "stranger danger! stranger danger!" and yet she never buckled her kids... talk about worrying about the wrong things!

 

[woodkins]

It's not that I think it's inconvenient, it's that I think it's not needed. Yes, they are my kids and my responsibility - but I also consider it my responsibility to teach my child independence. You say, how hard is it to walk them 2 or 3 blocks and stand there for 5 minutes - I ask you, how hard is it for an elementary age child to walk 2 or 3 blocks and stand for 5 minutes? My child doesn't walk in the street (sidewalks the entire way) and the chances of being abducted are next to nil - so I don't worry about it. I also don't worry about him being struck by lightening when it's raining out - could it happen? sure, but the odds are so against it that I'll save my energy for things like making sure he fastens his seat belt or wears a helmet while riding a bike.

If you want to wait a while longer before giving a little space to your kids, that's your choice, and in the end I'm sure both our kids are going to be just fine, but there's no need to get all "shocked" about how other parents do it. Just because I choose to go the early independence route does not mean that I consider my child an inconvenience, I'm irresponsible or I don't love my child as much as you do. I just have different priorities than you. Neither is right or wrong.

Just quoting past posters saying that it was an "inconvenience" their word not mine.
There are no sidewalks where I live, so that would mean walking in the street. Dd is in 2nd grade and just turned 8 so I personally would not allow her to walk the streets alone, but since my district doesn't allow it anyway it is a non-issue for me. To each his own.