So, Friday was a really trying time for me as a mother. I found out that my child trusts anyone. Here is what happened.
Friday was homecoming here in town, so the schools let out early. Our sitter was off for the day, so I had arranged for Eric's sister, Kelli, to pick Collin up at the bus stop. Kelli called Eric about 2 and said that Collin did not get off the bus. Eric told her not to worry about it that maybe she was too early and there should be another bus coming. Just thing, this guy got out of this car with Collin. He introduced himself to Kelli and she did not think much of it. She thought it was the sitters husband. Of course, I hear about this way after the fact. I kept pondering over what is the best approach to this.
I called Collin (he was at my mom's for the night) and asked him how he got to the bus stop. He said that the little girl that he walks to the sitter with was riding home with her dad. He said that he was on the bus and the bus driver told him to get off because someone was there to pick him up. So, Collin got off the bus and rode home with this little girls dad. (Now, as my son is telling me this, I am holding back the tears and also making sure that my voice does not crack.) I asked him why he went with her dad from school and his response was, "because he wanted me to go with him."
Ok, now I am freaking out and tears are rolling down my face. I told him to never go with someone again!
So, now I have to figure out who this guy is and why he thought that he could get my kid from school. I call the sitter (I know that she in Chicago, but I thought I would try anyway.) and leave her a message. She calls me back on Sunday. (when we first started going there, she told us that she would not be able to get Collin from the bus stop, but there would be a little girl that he would walk home with. Also, on really cold days this little girls dad would get him and take him from the bus stop to her house.) The sitter says that she called the dad of the little girl and told him to NEVER do that again. She said that she is not sure why he would think that he could pick Collin up at school. I told her that I am fine with him taking Collin from the bus stop to her house because she does have trust in him and she is responsible for my son at that point. My concern is more with the school. Why did they have him get off the bus?
After I get off the phone with the sitter my little 6 year old looks at me and ask - Mommy did I do something wrong because I was on the bus and they told me to get off. I told him that he was right that day, he was suppose to ride the bus! I also explained even further that we don't ride with strangers (now I know how he knows this man).
Yesterday I call the school and ask to talk to the principle. She calls me back and I tell her what happened on Friday. She is very apologetic and she is in disbelief that this happened. She is going to talk to the bus driver and all the bus drivers and make sure that anyone out at the bus yard is not letting the kids just go. It is also safety month at school, so she is making sure that "Stranger Danger" is at the forefront for the students. Lets just say that the principle was very upset about it and she is not taking this lightly! She said that she will be taking some action because this should have NEVER happened. She also asked if I was
ok and I told her that I was, but I felt as if I failed as a parent. I tell him not to go with anyone, but it is not like I tell him every day, so did he forget? She of course said it was not my fault and that the bus driver had failed in keeping my child safe and she will be taking action! I am glad that she was so willing to listen and I really feel as if she cares for the students there and that she is not taking this lightly!
Moral of the story - we have been talking more and more about Stranger Danger at home and made sure to let Collin knows not to go with strangers. (As I said before, I think he knows this, but he had seen the guy and he has taken him to the sitters before.) I of course explained to Collin that unless it is one of us, he does not leave the school with anyone!!!
This was such a scary time for me and I was taken back by the fact that Collin is so trusting. I love him for that, but then again in this day and age (unfortunately) it is not a good thing. It was a real eye opener for me and I hope that all of you take the time to remind your kids not to go with strangers. It was the first reality that I could have lost my baby!!!!!
