Hi
I need some advice and am fully prepared for people to (kindly) tell me I’m being over protective.
my son started secondary school last week, first time getting the bus on his own there and back this week (last week I did it with him so he was familiar). He left the house this morning usual time and when I rang him 20 mins later to check he was off the bus and heading into school etc he answered the phone really upset and crying. The bus driver had not realised he was waiting (yes he pressed the button and was stood up and waiting to get off) and drove completely past his stop so my son had to get off at the next one (quite a distance away) and walk back on himself. I reassured him it’s okay it’s not his fault, it’s okay if he’s late just explain to the teacher at the ‘late gate’ what happened. He stayed on the phone to me until he approached Late Gate and I heard the teacher say ‘why are you late’ and he said my bus driver didn’t stop at my stop and the teacher was quiet rude and said ‘so YOU missed your stop, get in’. My son then ended the call naturally as he’s not allowed to be on his phone in school grounds.
I have cried all morning about it, part of me understands things happen, it’s part of school life, it’s not the end of the world, but another part of me just feels so upset, I think it’s a combination of him going to secondary school, worrying about him being on the bus by himself, ME not feeling ready for him to be at secondary school, general feelings of not liking to hear my child be upset and how rude the teacher was to him. He is also on the pathway to an ADHD assessment which the school is aware of, but likely to be another 12 months until we get an appointment.
would I be unreasonable to call the school and speak to his head of year/house to explain how upset he was and that I’m worried about him and how I didn’t like the teachers tone? Or am I being over protective? I don’t want to get labelled as ‘one of those’ parents. Fully willing to accept if he gets a detention for being late then so be it, i won’t argue about it or protest it’s not deserved as I understand rules are rules and he has to be treated the same as every other student. I won’t be disappointed in him for getting one for this reason and he knows that. But I also know I’m going to be dithering about all day worried about him.