Bus Stop

See, I'm one of those "Because I said so" moms. My kids rarely question me. Sometimes I'll throw in an explanation without them asking for one, if I feel it's necessary... but when I don't automatically explain, they just accept it. However, I'd assume that by her age you've already explained stranger danger, and that there are bad people out there who could hurt her if she were alone. All you really need to do is bring that up again.

I would just tell them like it is. There are some very bad people in the world and some strangers who could come up to them and try to take them away. You need to put some fear in them to make them be cautious. You could also tell them that it's the "law" that a parent has to be at the bus stop.

I can sure understand her as in her age, I too never wanted mom to accompany me to the bus stop…I though I was grown up enough! Now my 10yr old does not want granny (my mom) to pick him up from the stop for the same reason…kids love to show off and I think they’re starting earlier by the day LOL Why don’t you ask her as to why she doesn’t want her with her? Would she be embarrassed? Do you nag her and spoil her mood? Do you pester her about studies and pending school work and make her more nervous just before exams? Or does she plain and simple want to show off? Talk to her and understand what exactly goes on in her mind…I’m sure she too has something to say and maybe you can reach a bargain on something else….but be firm that you will be there till they reach a certain age…tell her about kidnappers, tell her about busy traffic and accidents and just let her know that this is something in which she cant have her say…in any case, 7 is far too young to start making such demands…don’t give in.

Is she afraid you will embarrass her or something? I would just tell her that it would make you feel better if you knew she was getting on and off the bus safely everyday and that you promise not to embarrass her in front of the other kids.

Well first off, I have to say that I think you are completely right in insisting that either yourself or your husband be with them at the bus stop. My daughter started riding the bus in the afternoon at the beginning of this school year and for the first several weeks I would walk up to the bus stop with the three littler kids to wait for her. It was a handful to have a non-walking baby and two two-year-olds, but at least that way I knew that she was safe. Then, I got to know some of the other parents that had kids that got off at that bus stop and they offered to watch out for the children so that I wouldn't have to take all of the kids up there. I rest a lot easier knowing that my daughter is safe.