Stupid question about bus stops.

I keep seeing such young kids at the bus stops in the mornings. Some are with a group, and some are alone. I know they need to go to the bus stop, but at what point should they be left alone to wait for the bus? Do parents worry constantly about an abduction or something? I know I would/will, but what else can be done? What do you guys think? Do you have any systems in place with your kid(s) about safety and the bus stop?

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

I drop by kids off but I think middle school (11-12) is when most parents allow their kids to the bus stop alone.

I worry about abduction but I do think it happens a lot less often & is publicized more.

We do have rules - don't talk to strangers (although this is caveated with if you are in danger run to the nearest house - um, which entails talking to a stranger??), never get near a car or van that is stopping, etc. We do have a lot of crossing guards & in the mornings there are a ton of cars driving by. I pass a bus stop on my way to drop the kids off & if I saw a car stopped or some stranger talking to the kids, I'd stop & ask if everything was ok.

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

The kids in my neighborhood all go to the bus stop alone in 5th grade. Little do they know all the other parents at the stop are their parents' spies. They THINK they are alone, but other mommy eyes are watching!

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

Message edited 9/16/2010 7:46:15 PM.

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

I just started allowing my 7th grader (12) to go to the bus stop by himself....he wouldn't let me go with him.....
it was extremely difficult for me...

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

DS is still in Pre-K so I am crashing here but I remember walking to school when I was in 1st grade! Wow, I feel old just saying that

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

Jordan is 9 1/2 and in 4th grade the bus stop in 2 driveways away from my house. This year she is allowed to go down by herself BUT I am standing on my driveway the ENTIRE time until that bus pulls away!

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

Hannah is in 3rd grade, and loves having the freedom of going to the bus stop by herself. Thank god her stop is at the clubhouse of our complex, as long as I stand out on my balcony I can see her the whole time. It also helps that there is a very big 4th grade boy that waits with her!!! LOL

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

My 1st dd is 11 and I don't let her go by herself ,same with my 7 yr old

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

As far as the school goes, they can drop them at the bus stop without an adult to pick them up beginning in first grade. As a parent, it will be a very long time until I have a comfort level to let my kids be there on their own. I think the biggest target for molesters are kids in the 7-11 age range. Old enough when they start to have or want to have some freedom but too young to know how to apply safety tactics properly - either bc the lure of a free DS game, box of puppies or new ripstick is too compelling or because they just can't think as quick as an adult. You also have to know your own child - my oldest is impulsive which is huge - he so smart academically but he doesn't always think before acting in many other situations.

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

I am not sure my school/bus rules but I know the bus driver for my son's bus makes sure that each kid has a parent/babysitter/a someone to pick them up. The school only goes to 2nd grade. The next school is 3rd-4th grade and I heard the bus driver for that school say to those mom's the other day she does not need to see a pick up person to let the child get off...seemed so young to me. I know one mom said well you will always be seeing me.

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

Kindergarten is the only grade level that won't be dropped off unless someone is there to pick them up at the stop. 1st grade on up, they are on their own! Not that my kids would be!! In our case, they get picked up at our house, so I don't really have any bus stop worries... except to make sure I am home by the time the bus comes to drop him off!

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

This is why I love my bus driver, we have had the same one for 3 years. Even though she is supposed to let them off even if no one is there, she never does. She finishes her route and swings back around. We are also lucky because she picks/drops off right in front of my house instead of making us wait at the bus stop! She always gets a big gift from us at the holidays and end of the year!

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

when I was growing up, my bus stop was in front of my house, so we went out by ourselves (but I had an older sister at the stop until 2nd grade), but my mom watched from the window.


We live across from the bus stop, so I think window watching will be an option for us in 6th grade. I'm undecided about 3-5th grade.

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

Our bus stop is across the street, and Nick gets on and off by himself. I watch by the front door. He is in 5th grade (9... almost 10) and he's been getting on and off the bus without me since the end of 3rd grade.

ETA: I think he would be mortified at this point if I stood at the bus stop every day.

Message edited 9/17/2010 6:27:25 PM.

Re: Stupid question about bus stops.

Starting in 4th grade the girls started getting off the bus by themselves but I would walk them to the bus stop in the mornings....

In 5th grade they would go to the bus stop by themselves in the morning but never alone...

This year they are in 6th grade and put themselves on the bus in the morning and get off it in the afternoon. They are also allowed to walk home from school if they choose to. But not alone...

I have found that it's almost impossible to think abstractly about these types of things. You almost have to ease your way into them.

It's like when you start leaving them home alone. You start 15 minutes here and there...then it ups it to 1/2 hour...then they dont have to come with you to the supermarket...etc.