Letting a 14 year old Take a 7 year old to and from school

loobylou2

I'm just after a bit of advice and other peoples opinions really before I make a decision about whether or not to let DD1 who is 14 start taking DD2 who is 7 to and from school on the bus next month.

Without going into too many details my OH has been advised that for health reasons he is no longer able to drive. Because he is retired and does not work he has always done the school run with DD2 while I have been at work whilst because of her age DD1 has at times preferred not to use Dad's taxi service and go on 2 buses to and from school. She catches a bus into town from outside our house and then another bus out to her school from the bus station and has done so without incident since she started high school in year 7. There are no main roads to be crossed. DD1 and DD2 both attend schools which are at the other side of town within a ten minute walk of each other. DD1 passes DD2's school on her way to school. I do not drive so have always had to do the bus trip if I've been taking either of them to and from school.

Because OH is now unable to drive, DD1 has said that she would be more than happy to take DD2 to and from school when the new term starts in September, logistically this could work because although DD1 starts school at 8.20 am and DD2 at 8.50am. DD2 would be able to go to the breakfast club at her school and DD1 would be able to pick her up at the end of the school day at 3.15 because her school finishes at 2.30.

I just wondered whether or not people think it would be ok to let a 14 year old take a 7 year old on a 2 bus trip to and from school given that my OH can no longer drive and I work. I haven't made a decision what to do regarding this as yet although I am considering other options like trying to reduce my working hours or getting DD2 into a school which is nearer home although in all honesty I don't really want to do this as she is happy and settled at her current school. Any thoughts, suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

aliasojo

If your elder one is sensible then I'd allow it.

If your elder one is an airhead or the type of kid who messes about a lot, then I wouldn't allow it.

All down to type of kid rather than age imo.

mummyroysof3

Has there been anything happen in the time your older child has been doing this journey that would worry you?

I think you also would need to consider what would happen if the school shut for whatever reason or if youngest needed to come home ill and situations out of the norm so eldest would know what to do.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

It's fine. At the DDs' primary, there were plenty of older siblings picking up the kids - the school allowed the little ones to go with siblings from the age of 10/11 (Y6), but the vast majority were about 13 upwards.

balletshoes

yep, if you trust the pair of them to behave themselves on the bus, then I'd say its fine, and I'd be okay doing the same thing in your situation OP.

loobylou2

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I think they'd be fine on the bus. Its a service bus and not a school bus filled with other children. DD1 has taken DD2 into town with her at the weekend and unsupervised by myself before without mishap and although she can be giddy at times I think she'd look after her little sister, also I know from past experience that both schools would contact me in no time at all if there was any kind of problem or if the children weren't there when they were supposed to be there. They both have very strict attendance policies and only ever close in extreme circumstances.

meritaten

I don't see a problem if your DD1 is a sensible girl and she has a mobile on her, so that any problems she can always get in touch with you.

it is lovely that she is willing to do this - you've brought her up to be thoughtful and take responsibility. Well done!

Ms_Chocaholic

I don't see it as a problem but for me it is more about whether your younger daughter will listen to her older sibling and do as she asks.

bagpussbear

I think there is no problem in itself in letting your 14 year old take the younger one to school, but a few things cropped to my mind that I think you should think about.

What if DD1 wants to hang out with friends after school? She may start to feel resentful once the novelty wears off and she has to decline her friends time after time.

If DD1 is ill, what's the back up plan?

DD1 reaches 16 in 2 years and so will finish school (if there isn't a plan to go to sixth form), DD2 will be presumably 9 so how is she going to get to school then?

I know you are looking at other options, and if I was in your shoes I would see this as only a temporary option while you ask work to adjust your hours.

Alternatively, how much would it cost for a taxi for your OH to get them there and back? or a compromise where DD1 takes DD2 on the bus in the morning, and DH gets a cab to pick them (or just DD2) up for the trip home?

Spendless

I'm 7 years older than my sister and had to pick sister up and take her to places around this age to help my parents out who worked. Though none involved 2 consecutive bus journeys, I would have been fine.

What about breakfast club and school though? The wrap around care at my daughter's school asks for an adult to pick up and drop off and when she attended Infant school they asked the same thing.

Errata

Just remember, a couple of generations ago 14 year olds would take their younger siblings to school on their own way to work.