Hi 👋🏻 I wondered if there were any lollipop ladies (or men) out there who might be able to help?
Last week we were running last minute on the school run so when we arrived outside school, I told my 10 year old he could get out of the car and go ahead without me since he: 1. Was in my sight, 2. Is very sensible and 3. Had access to Road Crossing Patrol just a few yards away from me. I watched him safely approach the side of the road and wait for the lollipop lady to stop traffic, but she instead turned to him and raised her voice (more than was necessary) and angrily barked at him “Where’s your Mum?! Why are you crossing a busy road alone?” He turned and pointed to me - grappling with his 3 year old brother (and 5 year old sister) who was having an almighty tantrum because he didn’t want to go to nursery and was clinging to the car door, stopping us from getting into school on time. I gave a wave to the lollipop lady, pointed out the struggle I was battling with and continued to try and prize my youngest from the car door. A few moments later, I heard / saw her shout in my child’s face “NO PARENT… NO CROSSING. NOW MOVE BACK AND WAIT FOR HER TO GET HERE.” I was furious.
By the time I was ready to cross the road with his younger brother and sister, they had missed their registration mark. I approached the lollipop lady and my son; I gave my son a quick hug before turning to her and asking why she felt it necessary to 1. Shout in my child’s face and 2. Prevent him from getting in to school on time when he had attempted to cross the road with another parent before I could get there. She stuttered her way through some rules about not being allowed to let children cross without an adult;! I pointed out that had my son shouted in HER face, I’d be demanding he apologise to her… then we all crossed the road together. She still hasn’t apologised to him.
I wondered if anyone could advise whether what she said is true? What’s the point in having a lollipop lady who says children need an adult to cross, when she IS an adult and it’s her job to stop the traffic and ensure children can cross the road safely? What about children who live a stones throw from school and walk to school without a parent? He’s 10 years old and in Year 5… not 4 and in reception! (And he definitely looks his age, too). He has many classmates, along with friends in Year 6, who walk to school on their own and use the Road Crossing Patril… AND she could see my situation with his siblings too!
It’s just got my back up because he’s such a lovely, quiet boy and he doesn’t like to break the rules / get into trouble. She really upset him and he now asks if we can cross the road further down, so he doesn’t have to see her, which is super ironic and much more dangerous than using the crossing! 🤦🏼♀️