Yes, it's 50 minutes one way, sometimes over an hour (though school will be out for lunch most days of the week, so it's about being home at 2 pm or later, not 5 pm the way it would be in the US). It's the absolute amount if time that bothers me. (I am a commuter myself and I hate the way it eats up my day). And if he misses a connection, he'd have to keep track of different routes - like sometimes he'd have to get the 850, sometimes the 870, sometimes the 88, transferring at different stops...it's a mess. I'd much rather have him on a train - it's city buses, too, and will be crowded, so I cannot imagine he could do much more than fitful reading. Personally, I d o not mind traveling on trains at all, but on buses tend to get mildly car sick..
A friend who is considering the school as well talked to the current parent of a sixth grader in a neighbouring village and reports that the sixth grader, a big guy for his age, is still scared to use the bus and to get off in that dodgy neighbourhood, so they try to drive him most days and are completely burnt out already. They'd probably jump at the chance to carpool with us, but the mere thought of the hassle makes me feel exhausted.
We have to think of the siblings, too - DD5 will start grade school in fall at his current elementary which is so conveniently located next to DHs school, with many more car pool options and a much more palatable bus ride. It would be so nice to have them all close. and the kids could ride the bus together. When we have had a child care crunch, DS9 would just walk over to DH s school for the afternoon and do his homework in the science resource room, sometimes even sit in in classes. The juniors and seniors never minded! And DS3, severely disabled, is currently stable and is being picked up by a minibus every day and taken to the special needs preschool, so that's in theory sorted, but there are a lot of therapy appointments and the next surgery is always waiting to happen.
My in laws are wonderful about helping out, but I am pretty sure they would not feel the hassle of chauffeuring is warranted, FIL having been a science teacher at DHs school as well...
The ironic thing is DH is fixing up a house in the city center which is much closer to both schools, but it won't be done for years. It just feels wrong to deprive DS of this option because of timing and commuting issues. But we are almost running on empty as it is, both parents dealing with exhaustion and health issues.
I know that some kids transfer for 6th grade, maybe 7th. Guess we will have to keep that as an option.
Last edited by Tigerle; 03/04/16 08:17 PM.
