One of the magazines I read has a monthly piece called “It Happened to Me.” I always read those articles with a sense of urgency because if it happened to them, then it could happen to me too – right? Well, yesterday we had an “It Happened to Me” incident at our house.
In my school district the kindergartners must be met at the bus stop by a parent or other caregiver. They are not permitted to be loosed into the neighborhood or go home with an unauthorized person. Of course, yesterday was one of those days that all the stars aligned in perfect harmony to create a parents worst nightmare – A MISSING CHILD.
My husband is the one responsible to pick Eph up from the bus stop. Unfortunately, he was running a bit late from a meeting [the pastor prayed a tad bit longer and he didn’t want to interrupt him] so when he arrived at the stop he knew he had missed the bus. Assuming that Eph had been brought back to school [because that is the standard procedure] he headed over to the school. When he arrived in the school, the office staff informed him that they did not have Eph but would call transportation.
Keep in mind, my husband is deaf so he could not hear the conversations that the office staff were having with each other or the transportation department. Buses were checked and Chris was assured that Eph had gotten off the bus. So, of course, Chris left the school in a panic. No one knew where our child was. I have no doubt that the 15 minute drive back to our home was the worst that my husband as ever felt and I can’t imagine his relief to find our precious child sitting patiently on our front porch. Eph’s only response, “Daddy made me wait a really long time.”
So how does a 5 year old go missing and how can I keep this from happening again? Honestly, it was a total fluke, there was a substitute bus driver, Chris was late, and the other mother who is typically at the bus stop had a sick kid that day. What are the odds of that happening again? Probably pretty low, but it did help me realize that our family needs a back up plan.
Here are some of my concerns:
- Eph does not have our contact numbers memorized.
- We don’t really have an emergency neighbor that we know well who lives close by.
- I am not sure if I am ready to give him a key to the house.
- I am hesitant to put our personal information on a card that could be lost.
- My daughter’s daycare provider is too far for him to walk to.
- Even if he could call, he doesn’t have a phone.
So, what would you do?
For those of you that have kids in school, what is your “back up” plan? I am still thinking this all out and I am planning on talking to Eph about what he thinks would work for him. I would love to say that this was a one time deal, but honestly, it could happen again and next time, I want my child to be safe. 
Oh my, that is scary! I feel really bad for your husband… I hate not being able to be part of conversations like that! Poor guy! I’m glad it all turned out well, though.
I don’t have a backup plan because I don’t have kids… so I am no help there! 🙂
Well, at least you didn’t ‘forget’ them. I had one of those days, but actually I had forgot there was an after school event.
Do YOU have a cell phone? I suggest getting the phone # for the bus barn & making sure they have your #’s, including cell. So, next time they can communicate with you. All buses have a radio 🙂 so they can call the dispatch for the bus barn to contact you in case of a repeat.
Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog.
Have a nice day!
Yep, totally know what you mean. We have the same thing here with the kindergartners having to be met at the bus. Last year Nan was in 1st and we still had to get her off the bus. There were a couple of times where we had to chase down the bus because I was trying to deal with the boys. Luckily we do have a couple of neighbors we can call in a pinch if we are stuck.
Maybe you could hide a key somewhere where Eph can reach? And I agree with Misty, call the bus barn and make sure that they have your # on file.
Maybe if he had his own car this wouldn’t become an issue. 🙂
This is scary!
You could print your cell number in the inside of your son’s jacket and let him know where it is in case of an emergency.
I think your son should have one number memorized ie: your cell. Practice it with him, make a game out of it etc…
I bought a bike lock where you could program four numbers in as the combination and made it the last four digits of our phone number. My kids (4 and 6 yrs old) had good fun opening it and practicing that part of the phone number over and over. That made it easier to remember the whole number.
I am following your blog from the 2011 Dream Team!~ Tara http://www.everydayramblingsofmylife.com