Letter to the Editor: The kids on the bus may be in charge one day

As the mother of four and grandmother of five, I am writing in support of John Ogorzalek’s opinion regarding why there is a shortage of bus drivers and what could be done to resolve this (“Suggestions could fix bus driver shortage,” Sept. 30).

In addition to his thoughts regarding what has led to this shortage (“kids are out of control”) and his ideas about how we got there (lack of learned self-control that comes from appropriate discipline offered by competent adult authorities), he presents the result: “We end up with children who think they can say and do whatever they want with no consequences.”

I am aware of what may be yet another aspect of this situation, i.e., in what might likely be a well-intentioned and valid desire to teach children how to make their own decisions, a parent may ask a child: “What do you want to wear to school today?” But because no “boundary” was set (such as: “Would you like to wear your blue shirt or your new red shirt to school today?”), the child may select a garment that is seriously inappropriate for that day’s activities, weather or events. Next might come either a “confrontation,” a “negotiation” or “just let the child wear the seriously inappropriate garment they selected.” The result of the latter might eventually be along these lines: “The child is now the boss/the child is now in charge.”

If there occur “many other and similar repetitions,” Mr. Ogorzalek’s “the kids are out of control” might become “the kids are out of control and the kids are in control.” And what consequences might this lead to in later years?

Karen Smiga

Frederica