He came back!!!!!

In Baltimore they have a gradual entry system for Kindergartners. Last week, they had a "sneak peek" day. For two hours, Ben got to tour his new school, meet his teacher, see his classroom, and go on a mock bus ride with me on his actual route. On Monday, Ben went for an hour with a parent. On Tuesday, he went for half of the day with only half of the class. I had to drop him off and pick him up. On Wednesday, he didn't have school while the other half of his class did their half day.



Thursday was my real test. Full day: 9:20-3:50 with a bus ride to and from school! Ben could tell I was anxious as we walked to the bus stop. He looked at me and said, "Don't worry Mom. I will always come back!" Of course that just melted my heart even more. You can imagine my concern when the bus pulled up and I noticed he had a sub driver! Where was sweet Miss Betty? She was my angel during the mock bus ride. She instantly became Ben's grandma and reassured me she would take extra good care of the Kindergartners. No! How could she miss the first day and who was this dude that ignored my neighbor's plea to take good care of the new kindergartners.

Ben and the "Dude" sub driver!


The doors closed and the bus left. I slowly walked home, resisting my urges to follow the bus to school. I new David would never let me live it down. I could just hear him saying, "You have to let him grow up Karen. He needs the independence." I walked home. Ate two Twinkies in 10 minutes. Debated calling the school. Refrained. Didn't want to be "that" parent. But did he make it to his class? He can't even see out the window when he sits down! I think my neighbor sensed my anxiety. She called me after a few minutes and reassured me Ben had made it to his class. She had called the school and checked with her son Cooper's physical therapist who had met him at the bus. She asked if "Benjamin" had made it too. Thanks to my label (complete with first and last name, room number, teacher's name, bus color and stop number, and my cell phone that I stuck on Ben's back), he could easily confirm Ben had made it as well. Why did I still wonder all day, "Did he really make it?"

Fast forward to 4 PM. David miraculously was home early and got to walk to the bus stop with me. I made him tote the video camera while I used the camera. The bus approaches. Was that Miss Betty? Yeah.... Miss Betty was back! The bus stops. 10 or so kids pile out (including Cooper the other Kindergartner at his stop). The kids stop coming. There is a long, eternal pause. My heart stops. David even puts down the video camera. I start chanting, "Where is Ben?" But after what seemed like an eternity a little body turns the corner and starts prancing down the big steps with a huge smile on his face!

Ben and Miss Betty!


I questioned, "Why did you take so long to get off Ben?" To which he replies, "I just couldn't see, Mom. And Olivia was sad that I had to get off." HE DID COME BACK and I'm pretty sure I didn't take my eyes off of him all night long as he filled me in on every detail of his wonderful day!

Today was much, much less stressful. No Twinkies. And I did learn that a specific school employee is assigned to each bus. They walk on when it arrives (before any kids are let off) and personally take each Kindergartner to their class and return them to the bus at the end of the day. In case you are wondering....yes I did label him again today. What if "Dude" drives him home today? Does Miss Betty know how much she means to me? Thank you Miss Betty!

Ben and Cooper


Jacob was the star attraction at the bus stop. At one point I couldn't even see the stroller!