Family Focus Friday | Scariest 45 Minutes of My Life
Day 2 of Kindergarten.
I am in tears…just sobbing on my steering wheel. And no, not because my son went to school today. But I watched life pass before my eyes in the scariest 45 minutes of my life. And I felt hopeless as I sat with the thought that there was absolutely NOTHING I could do.
Today’s Family Focus Friday was extremely difficult to write, as I am still processing that day in my mind…and fighting back a few more tears. Bear with me as I am again reminded of keeping my family in focus, always.
The day started out great. My son was so excited that today was going to be the first day of riding the bus. Nervous, scared and seriously excited about riding in his first EVER school bus (a 5 year old’s dream come true), I watched with tears in my eyes as I waved goodbye. My little boy was growing up. Don’t let these tears fool you. I didn’t become THAT blubbering mom.
The day went by as baby and I were adjusting to the new schedule and having JUST each other. Everything went fine in fact, uneventful.
We walked down to pick up brother at the bus stop that afternoon. I was actually excited thinking how much extra exercise I would receive by doing these bus stop walks everyday. The bus pulls up. I’m so excited to see my son’s smiling face as he tells me all about his bus ride.
He’s not there.
I wait. I wait some more. Maybe he forgot his lunchbox and went back to the seat. I ask the bus driver. She gets up and walks the rows. I get on the bus and frantically search. Then my heart sinks. He’s not on the bus. Everything becomes a blur in that moment as I second guess everything from my day.
Did he get to school? Did he make it to his class? The bus driver gets on her intercom to report a missing student. It starts sinking in more as minutes pass by. I even get angry with myself as I think “how do I call an Amber Alert?”
I call the school. They get frantic. I am put on hold. I start walking briskly back to my house. I get in my car and start driving around the neighborhood. Seriously 20 minutes pass by now as the horrible thoughts go through my head. “Did someone take him? I should have spoke to him more about talking to strangers. Where could he be?” Then worse. The school hangs up on me.
Hot tears are now streaming down my face as the minutes continue to drag on. I know that in an abduction, every minute counts. I call my husband without anything left to do except wait for the school to call me back. I try to calmly explain the situation. My voice is shaking. Darn it. He starts driving home.
How many minutes has it been now? I say a prayer.
Finally, the school calls. He got on a bus, the wrong bus. People are pointing fingers, blaming each other, trying to figure out where he is. No one can confirm he is still on the wrong bus. Trying to get folks to focus. “Where is my son?” More minutes pass by. I can see my son’s whole life flash before me. The bus finally pulls up to me.
Blinking back tears, I run out of the car. Dear God, please let my son be on this bus. He comes out, tears in his eyes. “Mommy, why weren’t you there?” Oh, he’s so angry with me. But I don’t care. He’s angry. He’s here. He’s mine. I can hold him forever.
It would take days for both of us to de-stress from the situation. Fingers still flying and pointing as everyone dodges the blame for the situation. But seriously? It’s the first week of school. He’s in Kindergarten. Things happen. I get that. I am NOT blaming the teacher, the driver, the school. I’m just so thankful to have my boy back again.
It’s amazing how the scariest moments in life make you really appreciate the non-important ones. It was the longest and scariest 45 minutes of my life. The thought of ANY parent losing their child, especially for the length of time I did, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. The lesson we learned? Hold my kids a little tighter today and everyday. All too soon they can be gone. Stop blaming. You waste more time trying to pin the awful situation on someone else instead of focusing on the issue. LOVE. More than anything, you appreciate someone so much more.
I just lost a few years off my life, added a few more grey hairs and carry around this vivid memory in my head. There’s new things we needed to learn and go over. New experiences we need to pull through. But you bet, my son and I do NOT look at a school bus the same way again.
And yes, he got back on the bus the next day. That’s my boy.
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
WOW. That is the scariest thing ever. In our schools, the kids check in when they get on the bus so the driver knows who is supposed to be there and who is actually there.
Nicole says
I had a similar thing happen my son’s first day. He didn’t get on the wrong bus, but his bus was 45 minutes late. I started to panic. When I called the school, they couldn’t tell me if he had gotten on the bus or not. That was the happiest moment of my life when the bus driver showed up at our doorstep.
Shell says
How terrifying! My oldest never got on the wrong bus, but we had it happen THREE times that the driver forgot to drop him off. He got back to the house, but much later. After that, I was over it and picked him up.
aimee fauci says
That is scary.. very scary.. especially since he is not paired with a sibling. I’ve gotten my kids off the bus and parents of certain kids were not there waiting for them but they were late.. and the panic that sets into these kids is sad. I always make it a point to meet the bus stop parents and wait with kids until parents arrive. I know diff situation than your but same in the eyes of a kid.
Kelly green says
I cannot believe the school hung up on you. I’m thoroughly confused on that part. What a nightmare that situation was. My heart goes out to you all. I’m so glad he’s now on the right bus, and you’re all giving it another shot. Hugs, mama!
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
Oh my gosh. How terrifying. I couldn’t imagine. I’m so glad he was safe and okay. How scary.
Tamara Terni says
Yikes that is aweful there are always snaffoo’s the first week of school.i’m so glad he is safe.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I can’t tell you how many times over the years I have heard stories of of kids getting on the wrong bus.
Lisa says
Myself and my kids have never taken the bus for school. This is always something I worried about happening if we did though.
Veronica says
My son was missing for a couple hours one day after school an I almost lost it. Turns out he went with a friend after getting off the bus. I know how scary that must have been for you
DAwn says
That is such a scary thing! I probably would have reacted even worse than you did, I think you handled it well! My daughter was telling me about a kid who fell asleep on the bus on the way to school. As everyone got off the bus no one noticed the kid, and the bus driver didn’t know. They realized he was still on the bus about two hours later!
Rosey says
My second oldest was only to ride the bus one day. Staggered half day where we lived. I had to work, huge thing going on they wouldn’t let me out of…so I dropped my son off at his afterschool daycare (they did mornings too, and would only have to have him once ever for that staggered start in the a.m.). They put him on the wrong bus, he got off at the wrong school. My good friend’s daughter went to that school and saw him. She asked him why he was there (he was in Kindergarten, he had no idea why he was there). She took him to the office and told them he didn’t belong at that school. They called me at work, and the important thing I couldn’t miss, I had to leave. I should have just skipped it (the work presentation) to begin with… I’m not brave like you though, I’ve never had a kid on a bus again, lol. Too scary. I’m very very very glad your son was a-okay and made it home safe and sound.
Mommy2jam says
I started crying as I could feel your pain and panic. I am so glad that you have your boy back safe and sound.
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Oh my gosh! I would have reacted the exact same way. That sounds absolutely terrifying. I’m so glad your sweet boy got home safely to his family.
Debbie L. says
OMG – that had to be so scary – I can not even imagine. Thank goodness he was a fine.
jen says
OMG Christie I am literally crying over here. What a nightmare. I can’t even imagine how scared you must have been!!! So glad it was just a mixup. Oh my oh my oh my.
Janel (A Mom's Take) says
Oh my goodness. I would have be scared too if I didn’t see my child get off the bus when he was supposed to be on it.
Ashley says
Oh this is such a scary experience. I went through a very similar one on my son’s first day, and his awful kindergarten teacher had the nerve to act like I was crazy for being upset. It definitely makes you hold on a little tighter (and makes me relieved we are in a bus-free school right now!)
melinda says
how scary. I’ve have a few ‘missing’ experiences and it’s something I’ll never forget.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I cant even imagine going threw that and having the school hang up on you. I am thankful you had a happy ending and glad it did not cause him to not want to go on the bus again.