What do you think about this bus plan?

DD is 3, and will be going to DDI in Ronkonkoma 5 days a week. Cognitively, she is only around the 12-14 month old range. I'm very worried about handing her over to the bus people...I'm afraid she'll wonder who these people are, and why we gave her to them, and where we are now. She cries terribly, when one of us even gets out of the car to run into a store, even if the other is still in the car.

So, my plan is to drive her both ways for the first few days, to a week so she can get used to the teachers in the class, and the fact that we're leaving her. Then once she is comfortable with them, we'll have her take the bus home...thinking it will be easier for the school to put her on the bus than us. Then when she is comfortable with the bus people, I'll have her take the bus in the morning, since she'll then know them and I think will be easier to go to them from us.

The idea of her screaming crying all the way to school, and then getting there to all new faces is killing me! The poor thing won't know what is happening to her.

Re: What do you think about this bus plan?

That's what we did when my son was 2 1/2 and taking the bus. (His comprehension level was below 15 months) It killed me that I couldn't explain what was happening or console him. I drove him for a couple of weeks, then he started taking the bus home, and then finally took the bus there. Good Luck!

Re: What do you think about this bus plan?

I don't know if that's a good idea. Maybe you can call the school or the bus company ahead of time to ask.

My DD was 4 when she started. I put her on the bus day 1, because with her, I had no other choice. Once you do something with/for her, it has to be done that same exact way every single time.

I was very nervous, but the bus driver and matron know how to handle these situations. She got on the first day and looked confused. I thought I was in the clear. The second and third day, they had to peel her off of me. But, it eventually got better.

You know your DD best, whatever you choose, I'm sure it will work out.