No Buses for Ben?

 

When Ben started his new routine of two schools a day, we were offered the option of busing between the locations.

I knew that the combination of a new school and riding on a bus with a bunch of new kids and no teacher/parent would be too much change all at once for Ben, but I thought that maybe after he got settled into the new routine he would want to ride the bus with the other kids in his class.

Despite being asked about it almost every day (first by me and then by his teacher), Ben has had no such desire.

 

But an unexpected development between the bus driver and me might have taken away the bus option entirely.

It all started a few weeks ago, when I was still new at the mid-day pick up/drop off. I was not 100 percent sure where I should park when dropping Ben off at his regular school, since he had to check in at the office and then run out to his classroom, which is in a portable on the other side of the school.

(Left to his own devices, Ben would not make his way into either of these places, at least not directly.)

I thought it would make sense to park in the middle--where there is a "pick up/drop off only" zone.

 

Technically, drivers are not supposed to leave their cars in this area. However, when Ben was in half-day kindergarten, many of the parents parked in the drop-off zone, then walked their children to the kindergarten door and waited with them for their teacher.

Of course, this would not be possible at busy times, like first thing in the morning or after school, but in the middle of the day, when nobody else is lining up to pick up or drop off children, it seemed harmless.

On the day of kindergarten registration, I took Janae and Alaina into the school with me for a bit longer than usual, since I had to fill out some forms and show proof that Janae was my daughter (not as easy as I had assumed this would be!).

 

By the time I got back to the van and was buckling Alaina into her car seat, the bus had pulled up behind me. Seeing that I had obviously left my vehicle parked and unattended, the bus driver held up her hands in a perplexed gesture, shook her head with disgust, and mouthed the words, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

I felt a little embarrassed, guilty, ridiculous, and . . . defensive.

After all, I had to park somewhere . . . it was only for a few minutes . . . no-one else (besides the bus) was stuck behind me (and even the bus had room to drive past where I had parked).

 

I think I also felt a little defensive about driving Ben myself instead of putting him on the bus. It is nice to see Ben halfway through the day, and I have to admit I always feel a little sorry for the nine other kids who don't have their moms picking them up. These kids (from several schools in the district) who need extra help in math and reading also look like they just need a hug--they look so ragged and forsaken as they make their way to the school bus every day.

Anyway, from the day of the "parking incident" on--without any conscious intention on my part--my daily drive has turned into an exercise of ME against the BUS.

If I arrive at Ben's school before the bus (which I usually do), I feel a sense of triumph--I've beaten the bus! (I can't help but think about that famous race between Thomas the Tank Engine and Bertie the Bus . . . and feel like a "really useful" parent.)

If I arrive after the bus, I feel a little negligent--and think the bus driver must be saying, "If only that incompetent woman would let her son ride the bus, he would miss less instructional time!"

 

Either way, though, I never park in the loading zone--I have found a very nice spot right in front of the school that is always free (I don't exactly have the required mirror tag to park there, but it seems to work okay).

I try to avoid having the bus driver see me parked there, though, as I imagine she would once again be shaking her head and wondering what I was doing.

You might think I am blowing this entire situation completely out of proportion--and you are probably right--but Benjamin did tell me the other day that one of the kids in his class was talking about how the bus driver "always yells at [Ben's] mom" and says things like, "some people just don't think."

So . . . it really is me against the bus.

And after all that's been said and done, I don't think Ben will be taking advantage of the between-school bus system any time soon.

 

Although, there is the small issue of school swimming lessons coming up in a few weeks, but that will be a different bus, a different driver, a different set of kids, and a different destination.

I think it will be okay :)