This Really ****s....

[Country Kids]

I have had two, mind you two major emergencies in my life where I was needed immediately and couldn't go.

First one, my son was in a wreck on the way to school. A car hit the bus and several children were transported to the hospital, my son was one of them. I was able to get a hold of my husband and he was a mile away so he went in the ambulance with our son. I was able to get a hold of my sub luckily and she came to watch the kids while I went to the hospital. Luckily it was nothing big but if it had been, but it wasn't.

Second time, husband was rushed by ambulance in the storm of the century (snow) to hospital with irratic heartbeat that they couldn't get down and didn't have the drugs on board to do. Luckily right as the loaded him up heart went back in rythym but still needed to go in for observation. His work called and offered to watch my daycare children but legally I couldn't do and my sub was unavailable. Was watching teachers children and none of them could leave work due to the storm, schools closing, but not soon enough, and no subs able to get in. I felt like the worst, worst wife and person in the world. My husband was laying in the hospital needing me (they were still looking at what was wrong) and I couldnt be there. I think if I had this come back up, I would have let the person from his work come and watch the kids, call liscensing and tell them what was up and call all the parents and let them know what was up. I will never let that happen again and I think after my last parents said no transportation and I went ahead and started scheduling field trips still and letting them know that I did have a life, my sub had retired, and if they wanted the type of care I provided their child would have to be transported. Everytime we are on a fieldtrip I get so many thank yous for what you do from them-go figure.

[Heidi]

In Wisconsin, our emergency providers have to have a background check done, and have SIDS and Shaken Baby Training. EMERGENCY providers! So, I can't call a neighbor, my MIL, or anyone else I know to take over and call parents for pick up. Heck, I can't even call the mom of 4 of my kids (who works nearby), and have her stay here until the other child gets picked up. Funny, eh?

To transport children in any vehicle what has more than 6 passengers (so, any thing with a third row seat), I have to have an alarm system installed in the car that in theory prevents one from forgetting a sleeping child in the back.

The school system, which transports 60+ kids on a bus, only has to have the driver walk to the back and place a placard saying "this bus has been checked...", while I have to put in a $300 alarm system.

Also, no child under the age of 13 may ride in the front seat (even with an airbag sensor). Not even my own 12yo.

Guess how often I go anywhere?

[WImom]

In Wisconsin, our emergency providers have to have a background check done, and have SIDS and Shaken Baby Training. EMERGENCY providers! So, I can't call a neighbor, my MIL, or anyone else I know to take over and call parents for pick up. Heck, I can't even call the mom of 4 of my kids (who works nearby), and have her stay here until the other child gets picked up. Funny, eh?

To transport children in any vehicle what has more than 6 passengers (so, any thing with a third row seat), I have to have an alarm system installed in the car that in theory prevents one from forgetting a sleeping child in the back.

The school system, which transports 60+ kids on a bus, only has to have the driver walk to the back and place a placard saying "this bus has been checked...", while I have to put in a $300 alarm system.

Also, no child under the age of 13 may ride in the front seat (even with an airbag sensor). Not even my own 12yo.

Guess how often I go anywhere?

I'm in WI and rolling eyes with you! My neighbor is my emergency back up so I atleast have her who is home most days but if she wasn't then Dh would have to leave work. The thing that ****s the most is the transport thing. My kids school is less then a mile away but I still couldn't transport with out that alarm system. (So I have to rely on friends of my kids to take them to anything before school - I REALLY hate that!!)

[boysx5]

one part of this job I really hate I also have dh to get them or I use a neighbor if I really have to

[dEHmom]

i'm in a predicament of finding a way for my kids to get to and from school everyday. being licensed I don't have enough room for all the kids in my van now. Which I bought last year so I had room for daycare kids too! Hmmm.....a 12 passenger van. Shopping around now.


45 mins isn't too bad for your son to wait. It's right at the end of the day, by the time you got there, it would almost be home time anyways. don't beat yourself up about it.

[PitterPatter]

My son, 11, just called me from school and said he's not feeling well and wanted me to pick him up. As I have 3 napping children and one baby without a car seat, I can't exactly do that.... I called my dh who is on his way to a meeting in another town. I told the school secretary to let him rest in the nurse's room until its time to come home on the bus- which is only in 45 min. Still, I feel like the worst parent on the planet. Its not that I haven't thought about what I'd do if this happened, but the answer has always been that my dh would pick up. He owns his own business too and has more flexibility...NOT today! Ugh..

For those of you with kids in school who don't have an assistant (or 2 or 3), what plan do you have in place for these situations?
Would any of you wake up all your napping children and take them with you to pick up your sick child at school? I know I would if it was an emergency...I don't have any back up. Again...ugh!

I feel bad for you, I'm sorry! Don't beat yourself up though you planned as best you could. Here I have my Mom usually, she would even leave work to pick him up if needed but you couldn't take a child with no seat. We have had cases where a school counselor even the principal have drove children home so perhaps next time someone will offer you. Hugs to you and your son.