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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Always have a backup bus plan

Lisa Paolino Lisa Paolino

Our 5-year-old twins started kindergarten this year. Along with going to school, they also get to ride the bus. They love riding the bus; I’m not certain what they enjoy most – school or the bus.

But riding the bus poses some safety concerns. One rule dictated by our school district is that kindergartners are not allowed to leave the bus without an adult or approved sibling waiting to take them.

Knowing this, I thought it prudent to arrange for a backup just in case something kept me from being at the bus stop after school. As my husband and I strolled down the street one day to the bus, I explained that I had spoken with a neighbor, who also has a child on the bus, and asked if they could meet our children if necessary. They agreed.

“Those children are your sole responsibility. There should NEVER be a time when you can’t be there,” my husband says.

I take a deep breath.

“I may get in a car accident,” I explain.

“Then you get the ambulance to take you by the bus first to get your kids,” he replies.

I’m taking a deeper breath now.

“I may fall down the stairs and break my leg.”

“Your mother fell down the stairs, blood everywhere, and still made it to the phone,” he answers.

OK, I could see this was going nowhere.

By this time, we had reached the bus and the kids were coming off. I told the driver that the neighbors have permission to get the kids in my absence. The driver was appreciative and went on his way.

Despite what my husband says, a backup plan is a good strategy for several reasons:

1) It will comfort your children by letting them know that they have a safe place to go in your absence.

2) Giving the bus drivers an alternative will help them to do their job. And it saves time so that the children will not be required to be driven back to the school.

3) Lastly, parents will have peace of mind knowing that their children will be out of harm’s way.

A backup plan for the safety of your children is sensible. We all know too well that schedules don’t always go as planned.

To prove it: The very next day, I was busy cooking dinner and noticed the time on the clock. I reminded my husband that it was past the time to get the twins.

He flew out the door, but he never made it to the bus stop. The kids were in the neighbor’s yard.

My only response was, “See why we needed a backup plan?”

I did not get an answer.