Your concerns are warranted. Stick to your intuitions.

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Brenda: I’ve started thinking about the whole busing to school thing since this came up. I don’t know that I could do that either. Time will tell I guess.

CGF: Thanks for your input CGF. You’re totally right about the breaking and bumps. I remember when I was on the bus (at 6 and 7) we would sit on the wheel wells as we went over speed bumps and pot holes to make the bumps more intense. LOL

Lindsay: Yup. I’m glad too actually. I hate to be in the preteens and be told over and over how much he hates me as he slams the doors. LOL

The good thing is, he’s so little that he’s not going to realize that he is missing out on something.

I kept her home. She was too young, and too small to be put on an enormous bus full of boistrous young children, and expected to remain in her seat, with minimal supervision. Children BOUNCE on those buses, not just of their own accord. When a driver hits a bump, or brakes suddenly, I have seen children hit the seats in front of them, or the floor.

The only reason I have ever gotten from the people who are in charge of my childrens’ safety when they are at school, regarding the no-seatbelts-on-Canadian-schoolbuses is: The children need to be “free” and ready to evaccuate the bus in the event of an emergency. Apparently, wearing seatbelts would “impede their safety” in this regard.

I call it irresponsible nonsense. And I don’t care WHO calls me neurotic: I do not allow my children to ride the school bus while they are too small… And I drive my older children to their destination, then volunteer to help supervise students while they are away on long-distance field trips (ie. ones that require that they travel on major roads or highways).

Not telling you what to do… but I thought you might be interested to hear how I have had to handle it!!

xo CGF

candygirlflies’s last blog post..A National Disgrace.

If it helps any, Ryan will be entering kindergarten next year. Busing is available and people actually wonder why I won’t do it. Are you kidding? Even my 5/6 yr old I feel is way too young for a school bus with no seat belts. I’m driving him to school and back everyday. I’d rather have him safe in my own car.

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MH: you’re right, the alternative would be FAR worse if I had gone against my instincts.

Pam: I would have loved to accompany his class, but I just can’t because of work commitments (I have a full time job). If that weren’t the case, I would have gone with him for sure! But it baffles me too that they use just a regular school bus. I know there is nothing illegal about it, but I’m shocked that they’d consider it.

Haley: I KNOW!!! That was my initial reaction to the whole thing as well!!

Thanks for the design compliments as well! I definitely needed some fresh to get me back into blogging. So far, I think it’s done the trick!

Absolutely Bananas: I’d be a little more comfortable with it all had the centre owned a big van with seats and that was used for the younger children. But that’s not the case and it freaked the crap outta me! LOL

Lexi: I agree Lexi, and thanks for the vote of confidence on my mama instincts. I was wondering if it was the pregnancy hormones taking over.

Shannon: Ya, can you imagine something like 50 – 75 kids running around an indoor playground screaming their heads off with only a limited number of adults? The ratios are covered and there are also some parents going, but STILL – organized chaos at it’s best!

Karly: Though I had to take the school bus when I was little, I can’t imagine being the driver! I can’t even handle ONE kids chattering and crying in the backseat some days!

Shania: Oh, I LOVE that idea. I WISH there were buses with 5 point harnesses here!! And thanks for the design compliments!

No, you aren’t crazy. I wouldn’t let my kid go either.

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