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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be angry that the school bus driver dropped my 5yo DD 3/4 mile away from school?

76 replies

Bigbootbingo · 11/12/2013 21:22

There was a traffic jam caused by an RTA and he gave the girls on the bus the option to get off and walk the remaining 3/4 mile to school or remain on the bus until he could get through. Many of the girl's chose to walk and my 5 year old decided to go with them. Many of the girls are in the seniors and apparently one held DD's hand all the way. I just feel sick to my stomach, what if none of the girls took my DD under their wing? Should I just be relieved they did and get on with it or should I report the driver. (The bus is on a school contract.)

OP posts:
TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 11/12/2013 21:24

Report definitely
I would be livid

(And maybe a little note to the senior to say thank you for looking after her)

BohemianGirl · 11/12/2013 21:24

What country id it?

JinglingRexManningDay · 11/12/2013 21:24

If he is contracted to bring them to school then he should. WTF was he thinking asking children whether they wanted to walk or wait. Of course they should wait.

Greenfircone · 11/12/2013 21:25

I would report that. Good for those girls for looking after him. I have a 6 year old and wouldn't let him walk that far on his own school.

birdsnotbees · 11/12/2013 21:26

Report - that's awful, thank goodness the older ones were more responsible than the driver!

Sexykitten2005 · 11/12/2013 21:26

Report report report. Jamie bulger walked away with older boys and look what happened. Thank god the older girls were responsible but what if they hadn't been. And maybe a thank you box of chocolates for the girls from your DD

Original poster
Bigbootbingo · 11/12/2013 21:26

This was in the UK.

OP posts:
Backtobedlam · 11/12/2013 21:28

That is awful, I'd be livid about what could have happened.

Original poster
Bigbootbingo · 11/12/2013 21:28

I am reassured by the initial response, DH thinks I may be overreacting. It is a lovely idea about a gift for the older girl.

OP posts:
harticus · 11/12/2013 21:28

Older girls should be commended for their kindness and maturity.
Driver should be bollocked.

WaffilyVersatile · 11/12/2013 21:30

I once dropped off my ds at school in the morning and on my way home saw a boy of around 6yrs old bawling his eyes out wandering near a bus stop (full of people) but clearly alone (I was in a traffic jam which is why I noticed him).. he was wearing the same uniform as my ds but was around a mile from school so I pulled over and asked him if he was ok (everyone there was just staring, nobody had made a move to help)

I know there is a risk with stranger danger and what not but frankly he was alone and scared, I couldn't have just driven on. Turned out he was Polish, his mum usually rode the bus with him but his baby sister was poorly hence why he was alone and his bus driver had turfed him out because of the traffic but he had no clue where he was. I sat and chatted with him for a while and eventually he got into my car and I took him to school where I had a LONG chat with the headmistress about it all. It seems that its sadly quite common!!!

I am glad your dd is ok, make sure you report the bus driver. Its inexcusable!

BrianTheMole · 11/12/2013 21:30

Great that the girls did that. I reckon a box of chocs and a mention to the school about her helping out so well is in order as well. I would however be complaining about the bus driver.

steppemum · 11/12/2013 21:31

Driver should be bollocked.

I wouldn't mind it with secondary aged kids, but I know of plenty of people who would be uncomfortable with any primary age, even year 6 doing it.

5 year old should not have been allowed to leave the bus.

I think you need to explain to dd why she needs to stay with the driver as well, and thank the older girl.

nkf · 11/12/2013 21:33

Dreadful of that driver. Good on those girls. Report him, yes. And thank the girls who looked after your daughter.

LynetteScavo · 11/12/2013 21:33

Wow. I too would feel sick. Shock

I would kick up a stink.

GodRestTEEMerryGenTEEmen · 11/12/2013 21:34

I would be furious.

And this is why my son doesn't take the bus in the morning but only in the afternoon when there's a TA on the bus making sure a parent meets him.

Fairylea · 11/12/2013 21:35

Absolutely awful! I would be livid.

ExcuseTypos · 11/12/2013 21:36

That's awful.

On our school bus there is no way a driver would have done this. Secondary school yes, primary no way.

He should be disciplined.

Ruffcat · 11/12/2013 21:37

Report! Anything could have happened to your dd. Did the girls walk her all the way to her door?

TravelinColour · 11/12/2013 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TalkativeJim · 11/12/2013 21:39

Christ almighty.

If it weren't for those girls that could have ended tragically.

Report, report, report.

The driver deserves hell. He needs to be disciplined and removed from the school route.

steppemum · 11/12/2013 21:39

I hasten to add that I am not blaming dd, but explaining why a driver might say no to her while letting older kids go.

Original poster
Bigbootbingo · 11/12/2013 21:42

It really is good to know many of you share my thoughts and that I am not overreacting. I will go and speak to the head about it tomorrow morning. I know what you mean Steppemum, it is a good point. I hadn't thought about saying it to her before as I never thought that would happen in a month of Sundays.

OP posts:
MomentForLife · 11/12/2013 21:48

Report! Even though the girls were lovely and sound very responsible, something could have happened. I know my five year old still gets a bit silly in the street if there's a bit of excitement or we're walking with other children. Runs ahead etc.

TwinkleSparkleBling · 11/12/2013 21:52

This is a safeguarding issue. The HT should ensure that this driver is no longer on the school run.