Do you just put them on the bus and wave?

[LynnS6]

Ds starts our local public school on Monday. He's going into first grade (we had him in K in my on-campus daycare for a variety of reasons, but it ends at K, so changing schools was a must).

We live within walking distance, but because of a very dangerous road to cross, the kids are bussed. I had expected to walk ds to school, help him find his room and say good bye. He is ADAMANT than he wants to take the school bus (he loves all things buses). He's visited the school, but not for several months. We know who his teacher is, and one of our neighbors has the same teacher (she's also going into 1st - and she was there last year for K).

Do I just walk him to the corner, put him on the bus and wave? He might be able to handle that, but can I???

[Mizelenius]

You could always meet him at the school!

[pibblestiltskin@ma]

I am going to put my dd (grade 1) on the bus then run over to the school. She would be fine it is mainly for my benefit.

[Ruthla]

Yup, I put them on the bus and wave. But, in all fairness, it's been 7 years since I've put a child on a bus "for his/her first time ever" without an older sibling also on the bus. And that first time I had a 4yo with me after waving goodbye.

[Softmama]

I just put my oldest on the bus for his first day of kindergarten today. I just waved him goodbye and then took the little ones back inside.
However, we went by the school on Wed to find his classroom and meet the teacher and such.
When does school start for you? Can you take him by school before the first day to refresh him on where he goes when he gets off the bus?
If not, maybe drive him to school the very first day (and let him ride the bus home). Then let him bus it after that.
I was so nervous, but my child hopped up on that bus with his chest puffed out and a huge grin on his face. He came off it in the afternoon the exact same way

[AdInAZ]

I rode the bus with my dd on the first day! I was prepared to walk home, but the bus driver took me back after I dropped her at her classroom.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I couldnt let my dd ride the bus even tho the school is less than a minute away by car. K-12 ride the same bus and I was not at all comfy letting her on there with all them. She begged to ride the bus but I told her that she could when she was older and she is ok with that now tho she did cry several times wanting on the bus.

[miss_nikki]

I drove dd to school the first few of days then let her start riding the bus for the last 2. She jumped on the bus and almost didn't tell me good bye the first morning she rode. I was about in tears. The only thing that really bothers me is that I'm very paranoid and protective and she has been the only one left on the bus with two men at drop off. Although it's only been for a couple minutes since there is another bus stop 2 blocks away. Normally the boy across the street rides the bus too, but I think they might've gone on vacation or something. If he isn't riding the bus anymore, though, I'll probably just start walking the 2 blocks and meeting her at the other bus stop after school to ease my mind.

[wildmonkeys]

No. Our school has a first day parade that parents are highly encouraged to attend after putting their kids on the bus. They unload all of the buses in front of the school and have them line up with their teachers and the walkers - the 4th & 5th grade band plays and they march them in grade by grade and class by class while the parents cheer and take pictures. We are then invited to their class to help them unload supplies, settle in, etc. and usually leave after a couple of hours. They also set-up an information fair in the lobby with different organizations (girl scouts, karate, pta), market day samples, the public library, etc.

I would struggle with just putting them on and waiting until the afternoon though I think THEY would be fine with it...

[~Megan~]

Nope. We are going to walk. Mommy will get good exercise that way!

[myjulybabes]

Yeah, but it was hard, and I resisted for several months! It did help to know that dd's teacher in kindergarten collected her class in the lobby and they weren't just left to wander and find the classroom on their own! Find out if they're doing something similar at your school, it seems like a lot do, at least for the first few weeks. If the teacher herself isn't there collecting the kids, there's still likely to be a lot of teachers and aides standing around directing traffic to make sure everyone gets where they need to go. He'll be fine! It's definitely a bittersweet mommy moment though.

[mamalisa]

You really can just put him on the bus and wave. Don't expect them to wave back though . Ds was so excited about starting K last year he could barely handle waiting for his bus. I thought he would burst. I swear the only reason he waved to us is because the bus driver told him to say goodbye

[EFmom]

Yes, I put them on the bus and wave. I think hovering over them makes it harder for them to separate. Mine never had any problems going off to school. They are excited and they like school.

[dziejen]

Yes, I wave and smile. My dd1 will be walking to middle school this year which is a big transition for us but one that she is excited about and my dd2 will be taking the bus to first grade. They have always been excited about school and the bus and we usually have a fairly big sendoff with me, my mom, sometimes dh, and anyone else who wants to come and say goodbye and we wave as the bus drives away. It has always been ok but I usually have the first day jitters anyways -- guess that never goes away

[Zach'smom]

I put him on the bus and wave. The first day was a big deal. My dh took off from work and both of us walked him to the bus stop and sent him off. We took pictures of him boarding the bus and waved and cheered with the rest of the parents. Sometimes I'll wait a few minutes to watch the bus go around the block and exit our subdivision. The teachers, principal and office people are out in the morning to collect the kids and make sure they are heading to the correct classroom. When he comes home at lunchtime his teacher gets him on the bus and I am waiting at the corner for him when he gets home. His bus stop is one house down from our house.

I am volunteering for a lot of things at the school so there will be days I will just drive him. If he will let me.

[TiredX2]

No, I wouldn't do that but mostly because both of my kids would have FREAKED out if I tried

First day of school is a big day for us here. DP will go to work late so we can take both kids to school and see them off.

[CarrieMF]

The kids walk, but those who have kids who are bussed to the school meet the but as the school & then help them find their class & such.

[LynnS6]

Well, we're going to put him on the bus and wave. That's what he wants. Who am I to say otherwise? He's got his backpack packed, lunch money tucked in his pack and is ready to go. I'll ask him tomorrow if he wants me to meet him there, but I don't think he will.

[HarperRose]

I insisted on driving them and picking them up the first day, they insisted on taking the bus thereafter. 2nd grade and Kindergarten.

[amydawnsmommy]

How did it go? What did you do?