Not today.. I learned from the last time…
Because my daughter and I do not have the same Spring Break I get to do some mom stuff I usually do not get to do this week. One of those things is to drop Reese off to school instead of her having to take the bus. She loves being a “car rider”. So while I was happy to be able to do this the incident of last time, as well as some anxiety popped into my head.
I have done this before in the last 2 years she has been at this school. But this particular time was different. In the past she wanted me to park and walk her up to the door- easy. Or when I have dropped her off she has been a late arrival due to an appointment or something so I had to bring her to the office- easy. This time it was this past December and she was older and did not want me to walk her to the door just drop her off in the drop off area- NOT EASY.
Her school has a drop off circle for busses but the drop off area for cars is just in the parking lot.
I just figured you drop her off at the front doors-nope
I figured there would be a line of cars and I would just follow- nope- I swear not one car ahead of me.
I figured there would be an arrow or drop off sign-nope
I figured there would be patrols out or something- nope, just a custodian helping a woman getting something out of her car
I figured there would be cones or barricade- there was one but it was in the street right next to the sidewalk which said to me “no parking”-nope.
So I pulled on passed all that and stopped the car in front of the school. Turned around to get my goodbye kiss and give out my, “I love you. Have a great day!” when..
BANG BANG BANG- pounding on my window by the aforementioned custodian.
Roll down window.. “There is a reason that we have cones up! We would appreciate parents following the rules!” In a not very nice tone.
“I’m so very sorry I did not know. This is my first time dropping off.”
“You will now have to wait for the buses (the smaller buses for students who require special assistance)!” same tone.
“No problem, no problem. I’m sorry.” I shout as he storms away. I am now embarrassed and flustered. I do not want to cause any trouble or have anyone yell at me.
I pull up and wait behind the little bus who is waiting for a staff member to get the few students off the bus. Once they are out I can get out of this disaster.
But my adventure is not over.
Another little bus comes up behind me and that bus driver throws up her hands in disgust that I am in her way. My anxiety is going crazy. I do not want people to be upset at me.
I spot a parking spot to my left. I can pull in there and get out of everyone’s way. But I have to back my car up just a bit to get in there. Back up toward the angry bus.
So I go for it and the bus driver is throwing her arms and hands all over the place even more so now. A different staff member starts walking toward my car. I immediately roll down my window and shout, “I’m so sorry! I am trying to get out of the way! I have never done this before! I am trying to get out of the way! I was going to back up a few feet to park right there! I’m sorry!”
Luckily she is nice and says, “No problem, it’s okay.” She waves at the bus driver to calm her down.
Suddenly that loud angry familiar voice is heard, “Keep the kids on the bus! Don’t let them off! Stay on the bus! Get this lady out of here.” It was the angry custodian shutting down the bus unloading because of me. Once again the nice lady helped me and told him all was okay and helped me into my spot. I swear I stayed there 5 minutes after the buses were gone and school had started just in case.
I was still upset and flustered as I drove home. Then it hit me, “I HAVE TO PICK HER UP!!” How does that work?? Luckily I have a mom friend who knows all the ins and outs of the school (should have checked in with her for drop off) so I quickly texted her and got the directions on how to pick up and had a successful after school situation.
SO this morning as we headed toward school, Reese kept reminding me that I do no pull up to the front doors. I need to drop her off at the cone and she walks up the sidewalk to the entrance. Remember Mom you can’t pull to the front. Do you know what I mean Mom. You can’t go the way that the little buses go.
I guess the thought of me doing it the wrong way last time popped in her head this morning too.
I am happy to report that we had a successful drop off this morning without incident and although I feel like I know what I am now doing, I know I will still be a bit nervous at tomorrow’s drop off.