[blparent] question about transportation of kids to and from daycare/school

[Jennifer Bose]

Hi, fellow parents.

I'm curious about how everyone handles transportation of their kids to
and from school, especially in situations where there's no driver.
We've had a tough winter here in the Boston area, and it's been that
way in many places. Right now, the girls are four and almost two years
old, and both of them go to the same daycare. Our house is walking
distance from it and my husband and I, both blind, walk them over
there or use the Ride, as we call the paratransit here, on
cold-weather days. It's been nice to do that because we like the
school and have that contact with the teachers and with the other
families whose kids go to the center. My husband's mom lives around
the corner from the daycare center.

Our travel situation can get really interesting on days when the roads
are treacherous. I work full-time and we were allowed to leave early
today. This evening, it's likely that the Ride will be delayed and not
get to the school until after it's closed. The staff know our
situation and don't mind us waiting there after they've all left. Many
times, when there's a lot of snow or the roads are just terrible, we
just conclude that it's best to have them go to their grandmother's
house nearby for the night, so she, or one of us, will go pick them up
and bring them over there. Nobody minds that too much; my MIL's a good
person and they should have times to be with her. But as their mom,
for whatever reason--maternal instinct or something--I prefer to have
them home with me. I was just curious what other families do if they
want their kids to be at their own homes, or if they don't have nice
relatives nearby who don't mind the kids staying overnight when it's
hard to travel.

Incidentally, safe travels to any of you confronting terrible weather
today, wherever you are.

Jen