UT School Bus Driver Dragged 13-year-old 150 Feet

[cookderosa]

I know this thread has taken a turn into a really controversial area (SAHM vs working mom, HS vs PS) and I'm not trying to add fuel- but I will suggest that when I was a very new wife, a lot of people gave me advice and when I was a new mom take all of that x 10. When I started homeschooling, forget it, x 100

The best decision I ever made was to simply step outside of whatever those musts / rules /presumptions I had, and be the best mom I could figure out how to be. I am fortunate to have selected a great man to be my husband, choosing wisely is important because it does contribute to a family's financial options.

I (we) did opt out of sending my kids TO school, which makes me really sensitive to the words I hear from other parents sometimes from the position of feeling like they must go with the flow of the process. I would just encourage any new parent to know that going TO school is a way - but it's not the only way - and delegating out your kid's education is totally your right (and really normal in the USA) but you (generic you) don't ever HAVE TO do it. Participation is 100% optional. Getting that sense of ownership early on really (REALLY) was life-changing and empowering.

I remember many times thinking to myself "what would I do if I were raising him on Mars?" which is a joke to mean outside of our first world pressures, mores and social ways. Much of what we do is simply a result of being socialized to accept and practice a certain thing.

I'm not blaming the victim (the boy drug by the bus) but I also think it's prudent to teach people of all ages how they play an active role in their ability to not BE a victim in this world - being aware of behaviors and taking responsibilty for yourself all contribute to NOT being a victim. Thankfully this young man wasn't hurt, but hopefully, he'll be more aware each time he gets off ANY bus from now on.