My Perspective: Will Our Kids Walk to School?

As a mom I just want to keep my kids safe.

Safe from bullies.

Safe from predators.

Safe from harm.

But lately I feel this is becoming more and more difficult.

Last week I flipped on the TV, and the headlines yelled at me “Colorado Kidnapping ends in Tragedy”. Immediately my stomach dropped.

Another one I think in my head.

Another precious life lost.

She was just walking to school and never made it home.

On the same day, I receive an automated call from our elementary school notifying us that a stranger has been lurking around the playground for the past three days. The police have been notified and teachers are staying vigil.

And while I rest easy knowing he’s safe inside the school walls, and the walls of our home. I worry about him out in the world between. This purgatory of freedom and prison, where he can be “free” but not have the true freedom I knew as a child.

I remember running all over my neighborhood without supervision from the moment school ended until the moment I heard my name called from the front porch. My dad wasn’t worried, and I didn’t live in fear.

Now times have changed and I’m having to talk to my son about stranger danger and they are teaching about “good touch and bad touch” in KINDERGARTEN.

It infuriates me and frightens me all at the same time.

Especially, when three months ago, we were told our FIVE year old would have to walk to school ALONE.

Yeah, wrap your head around that one.

Due to tightening budgets they closed our school, which allowed busing. However, the school that took its place, is 1.91 miles from our home, and 2 miles is the minimum for busing. WHAT!!!! It was only .09 of a mile.

When I asked about my options the bus guy said, “your kid will just have to walk.”

“But he’s five,” I said.

“Well, that’s all we can do.”

My heart sank and I wanted to climb through the phone that day and kick that bus guy in the shin.

I couldn’t imagine my little guy walking four miles a day, to and from school, through a wooded park and during an Iowa Winter. Not to mention the threat of bullies or when the news was bombarding me with stories of the two missing Evansdale girls.

More missing.

What is this world coming to? Tears burned my cheeks.

Because there was a two year waiting list for the School District after school program {which we found out six months before school started}, we had no way of getting him home.

I called multiple daycares and put posts up on Facebook.

After listening to some lady tell me in the same breath that kidnappings are rare in Iowa, even though those girls were missing, and then suggesting I get a cab for my five year to bring him to her childcare center. I wanted to punch someone.

When I walked though the door that night I cried.

I cried for the missing girls, I cried because I was worried and because all I ever want to do is protect my son, but it seemed the world was against me that day.

Luckily, everything worked out for us.

We eventually got a place in our School District’s after school program, which E loves.

They say things like the Colorado kidnapping won’t happen here, but sadly the truth is staring us right in the face. Cases like Johnny Gosch, and the cousins from Evansdale are proof that it CAN happen here.

Unfortunately, times have changed and in many families {especially in this economy} both parents work full-time, and if their employer isn’t sympathetic to their situation their children will have to walk home from school alone. It’s sad, and the school district needs to change their policies.

It’s breaks my heart to know that eventually our children will NEVER be able to walk to school. That there will come a time when THEY will win. And I’m not ready to let that happen yet.

I want my son to have a small taste of what life was like before fear invaded our lives, and our routines.

One local school is participating the Walking School Bus program and even though this program is more focused on health and fitness it is a great way to bridge that gap. While it’s a start, I’m not sure how practical it will be when the snow starts flying. But it’s all about baby steps.

Baby steps toward protecting our babies.

So, if you know a parent who needs help car pooling lend a hand, if you know a parent who needs help with after school or before school care lend a hand.

The more we help each other the less they win and that my fellow moms is a VICTORY.

And if you can spare a minute today, please say a prayer for all the missing children and their parents.