To send my 8 years old son to school on the bus?

[loveblueskys]

Hi all,

So DS1 is 8, 9 next month he's in yr4. So the school he goes to is about 2.6 miles from where we currently live (we used to live 5 minutes away from school before we moved in here - 2 years ago) We've been doing the drop off and pick ups of course.

As things have changed now currently pregnant and with 3 years old toddler who goes to nursery since this September, DH works hours, it became quite hard to do the school journeys with DS1.

I had a discussion with DH about sending DS1 to school and back on the bus only one bus straight from our main road to school main road (5-10 minutes walk to the bus stops.

DS is very sensible, mature enough for his age and responsible. He also very good with the journey on his own as we've tested him quite few times to lead us.

We're considering giving him a mobile phone ofc. My only concern is that what if the bus goes on diversion?

Has any of you sent DCs to school alone at around similar age? Just looking for some reassurance. TIA

At my daughters school this would be a safeguard issue and it would lead to a social services involvement!
Our kids aren't even released out the gate until year 6 unless the teacher sees the parent or named contact.

Why can't you take him?

Poor kid.

My teenage DD is too intimidated by the older kids to get the public bus to school as they're rowdy and generally misbehave. I feel sad for an 8 year old having to sit on the bus with that going on and how scary it would be

I spent time with my 8 year old
Nephew yesterday. He's about to be 9.

Smart kid for an 8-9 year old. Meaning he's utterly and completely vulnerable and clueless. Do not even consider this. It's neglect, pure and simple.

I actually think it's fine. My children travelled home alone when they were in year 3 and 5. The younger one did it alone when she was in year 4. As she is young for the year, she was 8 for most of the school year.

My DCs felt very grown up doing this. I felt it was good for them.

He is too young to make this journey alone. Not only because however “sensible” he is, he does not have the maturity to deal with anything unexpected, but also because of the emotional
toll on him of having to be responsible for himself to this extent day in day out. In my view you would be failing to meet his emotional needs if you implemented this plan. I have no idea what you being pregnant has to do with your willingness to take your son to school either. I feel really sorry for him that you are even considering this.

No way, he's too young.

Nope we've recently been talking about this as it looks like after school club won't be starting back up. Even in year 6 we worry that he won't be allowed to get the bus home by the school

Your reasons for doing this are entirely selfish (to make your life easier). Do what’s best for your son- take him by car or get the bus with him. You chose to move further away, you chose to have more kids. You’ve made this situation not him. You should be inconvenienced, not him.

Is this a joke surely

Way too young I think.

I would never do this, he's far to young

Too*

Just move schools to a local one?

No. Don't do this to him because YOU moved. Wholly irresponsible.

Definitely not.

Nope far too young. I have a super sensible 8yo and a 10 min walk to school but he still won't be doing it alone until y6 as one road is really busy

Hell. No.

Far too much to put on an 8/9 year old, as well as not being safe.

8!

There are far to many variables of things that could happen. No way on earth should a primary age child do that alone.

Doing this would be more appropriate for an 11/12 year old, so earliest Year 7 really. My 10 year old in Year 6 has just started walking to school by herself (10-15 min walk), and I wouldn't be comfortable with her getting on a public bus alone. No chance at 8 years old!

And lots of people have to do the school run with a toddler/baby/whilst heavily pregnant. Most manage fine.

Yabu

No way. Be better and figure it out. We all do.

My son is 8 Yr 4 too OP and I couldn't do it - it's not about whether he's sensible and 'grown up' - it's other ppl - it's weirdos and older kids who might target him (and/or his mobile). He'll be the smallest alone on the bus - not worth the risk.
Female taxi? or friend from school if you pay for a lift? any grandparents to help out for a couple of months?