As I was leaving my new community today I noticed a 5 or 6 year old boy sitting on the corner curb by himself crying. I sat for a minute and watched and no parent appeared. I went over to see what was wrong. His bus had let him off and he was waiting for his mom who was late. I asked do you know your mom's phone number or do you have it written in his school bag. Nope and Nope. Another lady came up and I called someone in the community to see if they could recognize the boy. His father pulled up finally just as I was going to call the police. Seriously this boy was not more than 6 years old. The community is right off a main busy road. How dangerous for that little boy. Aparantely there was some confustion with who was to pick him up and time. So the bus let him go off and didn't make sure an adult was there for him, parents late. Thank the Lord I was there anyone could have grabbed him. Good Advice part -if your child rides a bus or really any parent who has an elementary school age child put your phone number in their back packs. Sew it in on something. I could have called that kids mom and the kid would have better off.
Actually, I think this story is great. Parents had a mix up- could happen to anyone. Child is alone and a nice stranger does what nice strangers do, stay with the child until a parent comes along. There are far more nice strangers than bad ones, and it's time that we acknowledge that. Great job!
Further, make sure your child knows his or her address and your full name. "Mom and Dad" don't mean much but "Susan and Michael Smith" who live at "123 Anywhere Street" is a lot more help. Not just for busing mistakes but anytime he gets lost.
Before I give my opinion, I wonder if he got off with a bunch of other kids
who had Moms waiting. I know at bus stop by me, there are always at least 6 parents waiting. The bus driver cannot check to see if everyone is there. Now if bus driver let him off at an without someone being there that is a problem, Bet parents won't ever be late again!
Only a few weeks into school, an unfamiliar, kindergarten boy got off the bus with my son and the other normal kids. He crossed over to my side of the street with my son and was just looking around. I knew this wasn't his usual stop so I asked him if it was where he was supposed to be. He looked around and realized he was not in the right place. He abruptly turned around to cross back across the street, as the bus was pulling out, so I grabbed him by the backpack and practically dragged him backwards so that he didn't get run over!
I then waved down the bus driver who opened his window, and I asked "is this boy supposed to get off here?" He looks at us and says "Oh, no." So I walked him around, put him back on the bus and sent him on his way.
Needless to say I was not super excited about the bus driver's lack of awareness. I ended up reporting his incident to a friend that works at the school and she addressed it, but holy cow! That affected me a lot! This poor kid! I was so glad I was the nosy mom who was looking out for the other kids.
So, good job on you for helping the little boy!!! And as far as my son goes, he knows to head to one of our neighbor's houses if I am not there to greet him.
good advice! good thing you were there and took the time to stay with the boy.
Better to teach children this important information. When my kids went to nursery school at age three one of the first lessons they learned was their own phone numbers and addresses. I also made sure my kids knew my full name, and I taught them how to ask adults for help. Where I am from the bus driver is not required to make sure there is a parent waiting at the bus stop. Our school bus stops are generally in walking distance from home, so most kids walk home from the bus stop themselves.
I taught my kids their telephone number and address, along with their alphabet and numbers to prepare for kindergarten. It's important and you can include it when you sing ABC, 123.
Great that you saw the child's need and took the time to make sure he was safe.
Good advice, too. I always walk my son to/from school, but will put an information card in his backpack. He's not great about memorizing our information, so we do put a card in his pocket at times when we might get separated (field trips, zoo etc.) so whoever might help him has the phone numbers.
Wow, thank God for you, I hope those parents get what a terrible place the put their child. Yeah, the phone number idea is a great one. Thx :)
It's not the bus driver's fault. As long as he let the child off at the right stop, he did his job...it's not his responsibility to see that anyone, let alone the right person, is there to pick him up. A kidnapper could be standing there, could have waved at the bus driver, and as far as he knows, that's the child's parent.
Congratulations for doing the right thing. It's what we all should do!
What bus driver would leave a small child on a curb? One that should not have a job in the morning-and one that would definitely not be transporting my child.
they are not allowed to let kids off without an adult under 2nd grade here...but having said that like anyone said it could be ANYONE...we've told my daughter if M. or her future step dad are not taking her off the bus do NOT get off, no matter if its an aunt or uncle or anyone she knows, unless we tell her in advance.
Good thing you were there. The world needs more people who will stop and help.
