Would you let your 3 year ride a city bus

Melissa17 · January 2011

on a field trip?

Granted it is only 1 bus, no transfers and supervised. The ratio I think is 1 adult to 5 kids.

Thoughts on this?

anitalynn · January 2011

If I had a child, yes I would let them ride the city bus.

In cities all over the world, young children ride city busses. I wish public transit was more the norm here. With supervision, the child will be fine.

ilovebijou · January 2011

Yes, with supervision. I don't see much difference of them going on a city bus vs. a school bus.

Melissa17 · January 2011

ilovebijou:
Yes, with supervision. I don't see much difference of them going on a city bus vs. a school bus.

There is a difference between general public on the bus vs pre-school kids only.

Not taking a stance one way or the other, just saying there is a difference between you being on the city bus with my child and just other kids/teachers in her class.

ilovebijou · January 2011

I understand that the general public will be on the bus too but having the supervision of the teachers would make me feel ok with it (if you trust the teachers at the school).

ilovebijou · January 2011

ilovebijou:
I understand that the general public will be on the bus too but having the supervision of the teachers would make me feel ok with it (if you trust the teachers at the school).

ETA: FYI- I feel like I'm a more of a worrier/paranoid (not sure of the right word) when it comes to my dd but I think when it comes to the bus issue I feel like I'd be fine with it. I'd be more worried about her going with a group to a pool or lake with me not being there and the risks with that.

mrsdawnmarie · January 2011

yes, I totally would.

decemberjen · January 2011

No - I wouldn't. I would go along on the field trip as an additional chaperone, but I wouldn't like to be in charge of more than 2-3 kids in that setting (for hand-holding purposes).

I probably wouldn't let my 3 year old ride in someone else's car for a field trip either, and I would not like to drive other children (just giving examples of my freakish/random comfort level).

I would feel slightly more comfortable with the city bus thing if that was the purpose of the outing (like to learn about transportation). But if the bus is the method of transportation that just seems really chaotic. I probably have issues because *I* get confused riding the city bus, I have no problem with the train - but the bus seriously confuses me.

purplecrayon · January 2011

ilovebijou:
I understand that the general public will be on the bus too but having the supervision of the teachers would make me feel ok with it (if you trust the teachers at the school).

I agree. Depending on where they're going on the field trip, the general public will more than likely be there as well. IMO, it is easier to keep track of kids on a bus (city or school) than it would be during the field trip itself (museum, zoo, state capitol, park, etc...).

Would those of you that said no allow your 3 year old to go on a field trip with a 1:5 adult to child ratio at all? Or is it just the city bus part that bothers you?

strength · January 2011

i would. but, i try to live through the lens of life is about experiences. i can guarantee you, those teachers are going to be hawkeyeing the kids that are under their watch because they are just as, if not more, scared as you. they don't want anything bad to happen to kids under their watch!

big_noise · January 2011

Yes. I rode the bus all the time with my grandma when I was little. She didn't drive. We went all over the place with her. I want DD to be comfortable using the bus system and plan to take the bus with her from time to time. I found it so much more comforting taking the bus in college to get groceries and stuff, having ridden it when I was younger. I was surprised how many of my friends were apprehensive about the bus. Now, that being said...I would kind of hope she does NOT ride the 16.

andrea42608 · January 2011

Yes.

I'm trying to think of the major issues...

Kid getting lost? Probably more likely to happen at the destination since there are no transfers.

Kid being around other non-school people on bus? They'll likely be around other people at their destination, too.

Sketchy neighborhood/other bus riders? I'm guessing if they're going to a fieldtrip-worthy destination the route and it's typical patrons can't be all that sketchy. Maybe that's not the case, though? Which route is it?

That's all I've got, but I'm not a parent so maybe I'm missing something.

mefindlay · January 2011

Yes, I would. They probably can't afford other transportation, and I'd want them to go on the trip.

Kids are on the bus all the time. I've never seen anyone try to pull anything with a little kid on the bus. Plus, the kids will think it's an adventure. The buses are pretty safe - I used to ride the Lake St. and Nicollet ones all the time.

GermanGirl2007 · January 2011

Yes, I absolutely would, but I am a little uncomfortable with the 1:5 ratio. I think I would feel better if it were 1:3 or 1:4 even. Kids are squirrely, and I know that teachers are attentive, but I think it would be hard to keep track of 5 rambunctious and tiny kids.

GermanGirl2007 · January 2011

Yes, I absolutely would, but I am a little uncomfortable with the 1:5 ratio. I think I would feel better if it were 1:3 or 1:4 even. Kids are squirrely, and I know that teachers are attentive, but I think it would be hard to keep track of 5 rambunctious and tiny kids. Especially with other people getting on and off the bus.

loveablesarah · January 2011

Yes, I would. I see no problem with it. If I trust my the school or daycare enough to watch my child for even a portion of the day, I trust their judgment enough to let them decide if they can handle taking a city bus with my child. That goes for letting them choose the chaperones as well. I believe that if I trust this person with my kid, I better trust their judgment in almost all situations.

I'm guess this field trip is going to be during the day (non rush hour) so the buses are going to be less busy with fewer people on it. They class will probably outnumber the other riders on the bus.

However, I am NOT the over-protective type mother. I'm pretty easy going and there has to be pretty giant red flags for me to get concerned.

huwehotaling · January 2011

When I was 3 or 4, I rode the bus all the time with my babysitter and her 2 kids that were close to my age. I think it would be fine as long as you trust the people that are watching the kids.

Elizabeth81 · January 2011

I totally would, but the 1:5 ratio would make me a bit uncomfortable.For kids that age, I'd be more comfortable with a 1:3 ratio.

amyreyn1028 · January 2011

Is it possible to go with as a chaperone or pitch in extra money so that the class can take an alternative form of transportation that you would be ok with?

ariel06 · January 2011

I guess it would depend on where there are going and what time of day. If it was the middle of the day when it's not busy, not a big deal. But if it was getting anywhere near morning or afternoon rush hour the 1:5 ratio would make me a little nervous.

I'm sure it's because renting a school bus is super expensive. From what I've heard from teacher friends, most of the costs of field trips are transporation.

kmpls · January 2011

Probably not - the whole lack of a car seat is my biggest issue. Also I don't like the ratio.

Would you let your 3 year ride a city bus

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