Need Opinions On Letting My Daughter Catch The Bus...

When my children were in preschool, they always rode the bus. Yes, the trip took longer on the bus than if I would have just taken them myself. But, that's true of any bus ride to school at any age. And it made them feel like they were big kids and going to real school. I would put her on the bus and let her be with the other kids.

Does she complain about the ride? My daughter just started preschool this year and I have to take her and pick her up. Its hard for me because I also have a 2-1/2 yr old, 2 month old and I babysit an 18month old. My daughter can't wait till she can ride a bus. i wish the preschool provided one. If she isn't complaining about the ride, I'd let her go. It might separate her from her classmates if they are all riding the bus and she is getting dropped off.

hi biwasaki, my son is now 9 and uses the school bus all the time, but he did not begin using the bus until he was 5. while he was in pre-school (it's still the same primary that he is at now, but a pre-school class with reduced learning hours) i took him there and brought him back. if you are going that way anyway to take your older daughter to and from school, then why should your 3 year old suffer the extra 30 minute travel time? it's not like you are going to be using extra fuel, or that it's inconvienient and it gives you that little bit of piece of mind that you know your daughter is safe on her way to and from school. i don't think you are being over protective at all, infact i think you are being very wise about this by questioning whether it's a good idea or not. personally i wouldn't have sent my son on a bus all alone at the age of 3, even if the bus has a helper on it, this has more to do with the fact that i don't believe that 1 person can control many children that young on a bus for 40 minutes, most 3 year olds are inherently "a little naughty", headstrong and generally don't like the word "NO", so why put alot of them on a moving vehicle with only 1 adult to control them all? (i never class a bus driver as in control of children, they have their job to do, which is to pay attention to his driving and the road). schools generally do try to push the issue of using existing bus transport to and from school for a couple of reasons, one is it helps to stop so much congestion around schools, less traffic at the gates, means it's safer for the kids, then there is the fact that governments are now saying that it helps reduce carbon immisions if we use communal transport instead of our own cars everyday, but as you are going that way daily anyway, it doesn't really apply to you. basically, if you feel more comfortable taking your daughter into school yourself, then carry on doing that. a mothers instinct over her childs safty is usually right (even if we do feel a little paranoid or over protective) so you do what feels right for you.

I would take her to school myself and forget the bus until she is much older. It is tough being a mom with 3 small kids but it would be tougher on you if something happened to her. sunnywaters

Your 3 yr. old daughter is the most precious thing in your life. If she was a Diamond worth $2,000,000.00 would you let her out of your sight for One Minute? No you would not! If she was My daughter I would take her to school and walk her right into her classroom everyday!

You're not overprotective at all! If your intuition is telling you to drive her to school then go for it! I'd also cash in on the additional 30 minutes with her. Children grow up way too fast!

When my oldest daughter started per-school I didn't have a car so I had no choice but to put my daughter on the bus so she could go to school. When I did finally get a car I still put her on the bus even tho the school was 5min away. Now my youngest is 3 and goes to pre-school and bus transportation is not available. Even if it was I would drive her to school still because then she wouldent haveto get up as early in the morning to get ready.

Being only three I might be very hesitant in letting her catch the bus even though it does sound like its a safe situation with two teachers on board. It just seems so early for her to be up and ready, had breakfast, changed and on the bus at that ungodly hour and then have to take the bus home and be the last to get off... I might just easily pass on the bus ride and take her to school myself.

...The situation sounds safe. Having two adults is a risk management requirement. It sounds ideal for the kids and parents. ...It is very early in the morning, however. It sounds like she could get half an hour more sleep if you took her when you take your older daughter. ...Never feel like you are being over protective! My children were hurt in a private home daycare. I did everyting I could to check them out, police reports, talking to other families using the daycare and they had a clean record. It wasn't the woman running the daycare, it was her brother who came over. ...My personal vote would be to allow them to sleep as long as they can. I would drive them myself. You could ask your daughter what she would prefer. Mostly, go with what your gut tells you. ...Peace be with you. =(^;^)= Della

I can see the convenience for you in sending ya little girl with the bus, and i dont think you should worry too much about the time it takes for her. She will quickly get used to it, and maybe get extra time to start friendships with the kids who by nature will live close to her and will be the first and last efter her. However, i am not sure that if my daughter is only 3 years old i would be comfortable to let her use this bus. Not that i would not trust the driver or the assistants traveling with them, but for the sake of my own father instinct. My little girl, only 3 years old and already having to go out facing what life have to throw at her. No I think i would make sure that she is safe, sound and comfortable in school before leaving her. But hey, thats just me :)

hey you are very concerned mother .I appreciate you for that.See,if you can afford 10 minutes than it would be much better to drop her at school yourself,it would take her less time and also she will reach school safely.If you cant,then dont worry she can go by herself ,all children do go,at least she would learn from her very childhood how to do their work themselves and not to depend on anyone and it is school's responsibility to drop her safely.Dont worry.CHILL!

No, i don't think you are being to overprotective at all. Three years old is still a very small age and I would definitely take her and pick her up. I didn't allow my children to start riding the bus until this year and they are 7 and 9. Even though it would be more convient for you to just let her take the bus, taking her yourself also gives you more time with her in the mornings and that is an awful long time for a three year old to have to be on a bus ride when you could not have to leave so early and have that time with her in the mornings. just my opinion of course, but I think that taking her would be a much better idea than letting her ride the bus. She needs you since she is still so young. hope this helped some

I would wait with her at the bus stop in the mornings, and then pick her up from school in the afternoons. Your not being too overprotective in todays world a mother has to be too many child snatchers out there. -Amber

I would not think that it is unreasonable for you not to pick her up as you have your difficulties too. You can safely let her take the bus and it should be safe with two aldults. You would just need her to get up earlier and that slove the problem.