School & Teens

The class 9 girls on the school bus have adopted my 5 year old. They also show him reels the whole way

silver_marigold_7226

He's started taking the school bus this year and the older girls at the back have made him a sort of mascot. They save him a seat, fix his collar, share their chips. He adores them. They also hand him their phones for the full 40 minutes. He comes home quoting things I'd rather he didn't know yet. I'd rather not complain about other people's teenagers. But he's five. Do I say something, and to whom?

3 comments

  • coral_puzzle_5555

    I'd go to the bus coordinator before saying anything to the girls themselves. Not as a complaint, only a request that the little ones aren't handed phones. It takes it out of your hands and theirs.

    • silver_marigold_7226

      the coordinator looks after fourteen buses. not sure a polite request goes anywhere. part of me thinks a direct word with the girls would land better

    • basil_compass_8200

      Replying to @silver_marigold_7226

      my daughter's van has a no-phones-out rule. it mostly works because the driver enforces it, not the school

    • pebble_piano_2313

      Replying to @silver_marigold_7226

      I have a 14 year old who would absolutely be one of those girls. If a parent asked her kindly she'd stop at once, and be mortified for a week. I'd talk to them. Nicely. ❤️

    • olive_pool_9168

      Replying to @silver_marigold_7226

      Or give him something of his own to show them. My son took his cricket cards on the bus at that age and suddenly he was the one doing the showing 😄

  • peach_fern_4745

    Before raising it anywhere, I would check whether the school has anything written down about devices on buses. If it does, that is a much easier conversation. If it doesn't, you may be the first parent to ask, which is useful in itself.

  • hazel_badminton_1527

    Half of this sounds lovely, to be fair. Older kids looking out for a small one on a long ride is not nothing. I'd keep the seat-saving, lose the phones, and tell the girls exactly that 🙂

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