Jubbling: Riding the bus with kid(s)
Posted by paul on October 5, 2009 · 2 Comments
Harry using his binoculars to find Bus 71
The thought of standing at a dirty bus stop in the city with 1 or more kids does not sound very inviting but I think everyone should give mass transit another try. It really is a great way to travel in and out of the city and the negative thought of standing at the “dirty bus stop” will turn out to be a great experience for the kids. For my trip, I had to hire my 6-year old son Harry and our goal was to hop on the bus in Downtown Seattle and travel to Wedgewood. Harry was up for the challenge and had a lot of questions and comments including, “why can’t we drive?” and “dad – I think you’re just cheap”. I sat the boy down and explained to him, in crayon, the idea of Jubbling and how it will one day play a significant role in his life. He understood everything I told him, gave me a thumbs up and still concluded that I chose to ride the bus because I was cheap. I can live with that.
Harry Glued to the Window
Back to the trip. The first thing you have to do is tell your kid what bus # you are waiting for and in our case, it was bus 71. The crowd at the bus stop was a good mix of everything – even a person with the cat on their shoulder. It’s easy to see why 30 minutes of waiting will fly by as we checked every bus that went by until ours arrived. We climbed aboard and headed out. Again, there was a lot to see and Harry was glued to the window and since I wasn’t driving, it was easy to point out the places in Seattle that we could go back to and doorways I’ve slept in. Once we arrived at our destination, we spent some time in Wedgewood eventually hopped on the same bus, #71, and headed back to the big city. On the return trip, Harry had mastered the old school bus rider technique of sleeping sitting up and he stayed asleep until we arrived back in Seattle.
Here are some tips for riding the bus with kids:
- Go to the bathroom before you get on the bus.
- Bring snacks or a lunch.
- Get a transfer just in case you have to get off the bus.
- Go to the bathroom before you get on the bus. (If you missed it the first time.)
Harry waiting for the bus home.
We didn’t have to ride the bus and it’s not as convenient as driving but atleast now, my son knows there is another way to get around. He looks forward to the next trip and even told me what bus numbers he wanted to ride next. What was amazing to me was how well behaved Harry was on the bus and how his sister and brother were when they took the bus with me in the past. I think they feel like they’re on a school bus and they have to follow the rules.
At the end of our adventure, I had to ask Harry if he had fun and he told me “yes, I did have fun today. But dad, I still love mommy more.”
This article made me so nostalgic! When I was a wee lass, my Grandma (we called her “Abuelita”) would require my brother, sister and I to dress up in our Sunday best for an exciting ride through Yakima. This exciting ride actually started on foot – as we walked from her front door toward the Yakima Mall. I started to wise up to her master plan when our walk ended at the bus stop, and she started telling us to get our coins ready for our “exciting ride”. I probably had the same questions/comments that Harry had. Anyway, we’d ride the whole loop – 45 minutes, I think – from downtown Yakima out to the orchards near West Valley, then back to the Mall. We ridiculed Abuelita at the time, but now I see that she was really a jubbling pioneer.
Thanks for the great story!
great piece!!!
my kid loves the bus
it is always an adventure
and yes Paul
the kids always love MOMS more
it is just the way of nature
so go with it
you green guy!!
keep JUBBLING…
sandra