Bus trauma

I tried letting Brayden ride the bus this year because he had a great experience last year and he really wanted to (and it would make my life easier, but I digress.) I went to the office at school to get his bus number and route. On the first day Brayden and I waited at the bus stop after school until the bus came and we introduced ourselves to the bus driver and talked about where the bus stop would be. I think the driver's name was Richard, but I don't recall for sure now. Anyway, the next morning, Brayden was ready and at the bus stop but bus 44 never came, so I drove him to school.

That afternoon, I went to the school and watched Brayden get on the bus and then followed the bus on its route. When it got to our stop, Taylor and Kylee were on the corner and waved to the bus driver, who waved back. He then sped around the corner and didn't stop! My son was on the bus, and the driver did not stop at an official bus stop. At the next stop, I jumped out of my car and ran and waved my arms to get the driver's attention, but he didn't see me and I didn't make it there in time (remember, seven months pregnant), so he kept going. I had to run back to my car and follow him some more. This time, he drove and drove and drove, and I didn't know whether there were other kids on the bus or if my son was the only one with a psycho bus driver.

Finally, he pulled into a neighborhood and I started honking and (continued) tailgating. When the bus stopped again, I ran to the bus and hopped on. I looked at the driver and said, "You didn't stop at 121st and Ivy Court! You have my son!" He looked at me and almost condescendingly said, "Oh, I forgot. Better get your son, he's back there." About three rows back, Brayden was sitting with huge tears rolling down his face. As soon as we were off the bus, I gave him a hug and he said, "I saw dad and Kylee waiting, but the bus didn't stop. I stood up and said "that's my stop" but the driver didn't hear me and kept going. The bus didn't stop."

I had gone to the effort to find the bus stop, meet the bus driver, and talk to him about where he would pick up my son and he didn't even have the courtesy to apologize for not stopping (or even slowing)...at an official bus stop...where a man and his three year old daughter were waiting on the corner...that he waved to and so clearly saw...on the second day of school, which is most kids' first day of bus riding.

I know I am an overprotective parent, but I must say that sometimes, I am happy to be this way. Really, probably what would have happened is the driver would have eventually taken Brayden back to the school and they would have called me. But, we have lived in this area before. What if Brayden had recognized something and gotten off at a random stop? It's not like this bus driver would have noticed. What if the driver wasn't such a good guy and something worse happened?

Brayden is now in carpool, which my generous friends have let us join even though we are a little out the way.