We live a couple of blocks from the elementary school but live about 9 blocks from the high school. Usually my son likes to get to the high school very early, as soon as they open the doors. This morning he decided to sleep in and we left 45 minutes later when normal people start going to school. I noticed two little boys walking to the elementary school while I was driving to the high school. After dropping off my son, I noticed that they had not made much progress so I debated about offering them a ride. I did, but as I asked, being a mom I was praying that they'd say no. They accepted.

They were quite loaded down, both had backpacks, lunch boxes, boxes of gym shoes (cannot wear the same shoes in gym that you wear outside). The older (about 3rd grade) had a huge poster board project and the younger (about 1st grade) had an extra pair of winter boots and another school bag. It's relatively warm today 10F. I picked them up a good 5 blocks from their elementary school.

The more I think about it the more it bothers me. I know they were safe with me, but who knows who would come along next. The school used to have a system in place that the child walked to the school closest to their home and could ride a bus to the other school. But budget cuts and reasons I don't understand eliminated that a couple of years ago.

It's a very sad state of affairs when you feel like a criminal for giving a child a ride to school and then have to worry about them next time. I know they were uncomfortable and they knew that they shouldn't. I introduced myself, explained to them where I lived but they didn't say a word but thank you when I dropped them off. I'm sure my appearance did not help, my hair isn't brushed and I was in my bathrobe.