Hannah and school transportation issues.

[DreamSpell333]

Sometimes I think enrolling hannah in school was a mistake. She loves it and im really happy for that.
My husband has the car all day. It's in bad shape,so I dont take it. Dont want to risk breaking down with the kids. (needs front axles,and a windshield).
My sister and parents volunteered to help get Hannah to school each day. Im getting fed up asking them. I hate not having a 2nd vehicle,and wish her school picked up kids in this area,but its a walking zone.. Too cold to walk her with the baby.
My mom told me that if it werent snowing today she would take hannah to school. Well my dad decided to take her car and now I have no ride for hannah. My sister has another dentist appointment. I'm in the situation that I have to call her out. I feel so bad,but I just dont know what to do.
I'm just so sick and tired of asking for help. I just want to go hide in my room and not be seen again.
:sadman::wah2::scream:

[Lyrien]

When I was a kid we lived w/i the walking zone. Our property line was the limit, they expected a second grader to walk two miles to schools. Anyhow, they would pick us up on the bus if my parents would pay for the service. (which they did) At the time it was like 400 per year for both of us. That said, they do not offer this type of thing where I live; but they will pick your kid up from the closest bus stop if you say it's a hardship.

I would call the school, or the school board if you don't get an answer, and explain your situation and see if there are any programs to help you out. Especially with the school itself, explain that your child will have excessive absences if something can't be done.

[Lunacie]

I know it's hard for you, but I'm sure you and your hubby are working on being able to get your car fixed as soon as you can. And I'm sure your family knows that too. Meanwhile, that's what families are for. When my daughter was little we only had one car. I would take hubby to work so I'd have the car to pick up his brother from middle school. Their daddy worked the night shift so he could take b-i-l to school in the morning but by midafternoon he was sound asleep. Mother-in-law couldn't drive (nearly blind and deaf since birth), so it was up to me. I was glad to help and I knew that there would come a time when we would need help ourselves, by then we had moved to another town and it was our wonderful neighbors who helped by loaning us a pickup several times when our one car was broke down.

[DreamSpell333]

Both of my in laws are suppose to send us some money to help with the car. My husband is the only one working right now,so we dont have much money. He brings in 405.00 after taxes. a week.
I havent had luck finding a PT job for Nights and weekends. I've applied for help for
the electric and was approved for that and fuel assistance in november but have yet to recieve anything in the mail for it.. I get wic for baby, commodity foods for hannah.
Have gone to a pantry a few times.
My husband works about an hour away and is spending atleast 10.00 a day on gas.
I think one solution would be for him to find a closer job. He was going to try and get into the county jail but the time they wanted to schedule the tests he had to work,and were afraid that if he called out and got fired and then didnt get the jail job we would be
homeless. We really need his income right now. Plus DH loves his job. He really
doesnt want to leave,but I know that he would if he had to and if he found the right job with more $$.
I know when we get the car fixed that I would have to switch hannah from afternoons to morning classes,as hubby gets out of work at 3 and hannah gets out of school at 3 now. I would be doing alot of running around during the day.
Take him to work for 7 (have to leave at 6am) then take her to school for 8:50, (baby could get his 10am nap-11am), pick her up at 11:50, then would have to leave at 2 to get hubby. It would be worth not havign to rely on anyone else even if we spent more on gas and I was out and about more.

I know im rambling.. sorry :D

We also only have a cell phone right now,so I havent been able to call many places because of limited minutes. right now I only have about 20 mins left. We do want to get vonage though, hopefully soon..

[Lyrien]

Totally OT, but Lunacie that picture cracks me up!!!! As a child, my family went through one of those drive through zoo places and a giraffe reached into the car to eat some food. Well the one with the food got scared and kept pulling her hand back forcing the giraffe to get further into the car, almost strangling my aunt with its neck. It was so not funny for my aunt, but hilarious to everyone else in the car.

[DreamSpell333]

When I was a kid we lived w/i the walking zone. Our property line was the limit, they expected a second grader to walk two miles to schools. Anyhow, they would pick us up on the bus if my parents would pay for the service. (which they did) At the time it was like 400 per year for both of us. That said, they do not offer this type of thing where I live; but they will pick your kid up from the closest bus stop if you say it's a hardship.

I would call the school, or the school board if you don't get an answer, and explain your situation and see if there are any programs to help you out. Especially with the school itself, explain that your child will have excessive absences if something can't be done.

Thanks :) :hugz:

I asked them about the buses before but maybe I need to call them or stop in and explain my situation like you said. There is a community worker there(kathy) who had given hannah a ride to school before,but has to pick me and vinny up as well as she cant have hannah in her vehicle without a parent.. but maybe she knows of a program,although she's known of our situation as I was walking hannah in the fall when it wasnt soo cold.

were also in the situation in our apartment complex.. Were month to month (or at will tenants) We could be asked to leave at any time (could be a few months,a year or 2 years) because the owner of the apts isnt sure if they are going to sell/remodel the apartments or demolish them.. (this was the only place we could find right away)

[DreamSpell333]

My sister just called and said she is on her way back from her appointment so she will take hannah to school and pick her up.

She asked me if soemthing was wrong.. and I just said I wish it didnt have to be this way. (having to rely on her and mom for rides) She said there in an auction in manchester where they sometimes get rid of cars cheap. (sometimes for 100 dollars)
Told her I would have to find a way to get the $$ up and get a ride there
I just hope for 100's it wouldnt be a car that needs tons of work done to it...

[ladyalpha]

I completely understand your stress that your feeling right now. While I haven't been in this particular situation, I know what it is like to live on one income that doesn't bring much in. I do think your very lucky to have family that is willing to help you. So many of us don't have that and that makes things even harder.
It is possible that the auctions are repossessed cars and that is why they are so cheap. If you can manage to save up the money and you go, take someone that knows cars with you..if possible. That way your not getting something that you will have to sink money into.

I am currently in the process of juggling bills due to my husband having so much, un-paid, time off for the holidays. He worked two days last week and again will only work two days this week. At less than 7 dollars an hour, that really won't go far. And of course all the bills are due. It is extremely stressful and can send a person into despair quickly. While we are fairly confident that we won't be thrown out at any given time (that would definitely add to the stress of things), it could happen if my cousin decided to..as she owns this property and would sell it in a heartbeat if someone would pay her outrageous price for it.

I am sure though that your family completely understands that your not trying to take advantage of them. That you are trying to make things better for your family, just at this time things are hard. Perhaps doing something nice for them would ease a little bit of your guilt. Whether that is doing something for them that they hate to do, or making them something special (not necessarily something expensive..but nice and specific to the person's likes).
And unfortunally so many people out there would mooch off them and never blink an eye. So they are just as lucky to have you as you are to have them.

I hope things get better soon. There are so many cliches to choose from in these situations..but I will just say, at some point this too will pass and you will be on your feet again with your loving family still beside you.
Blessings,
ladyalpha

[DreamSpell333]

I completely understand your stress that your feeling right now. While I haven't been in this particular situation, I know what it is like to live on one income that doesn't bring much in. I do think your very lucky to have family that is willing to help you. So many of us don't have that and that makes things even harder.
It is possible that the auctions are repossessed cars and that is why they are so cheap. If you can manage to save up the money and you go, take someone that knows cars with you..if possible. That way your not getting something that you will have to sink money into.

I am currently in the process of juggling bills due to my husband having so much, un-paid, time off for the holidays. He worked two days last week and again will only work two days this week. At less than 7 dollars an hour, that really won't go far. And of course all the bills are due. It is extremely stressful and can send a person into despair quickly. While we are fairly confident that we won't be thrown out at any given time (that would definitely add to the stress of things), it could happen if my cousin decided to..as she owns this property and would sell it in a heartbeat if someone would pay her outrageous price for it.

I am sure though that your family completely understands that your not trying to take advantage of them. That you are trying to make things better for your family, just at this time things are hard. Perhaps doing something nice for them would ease a little bit of your guilt. Whether that is doing something for them that they hate to do, or making them something special (not necessarily something expensive..but nice and specific to the person's likes).
And unfortunally so many people out there would mooch off them and never blink an eye. So they are just as lucky to have you as you are to have them.

I hope things get better soon. There are so many cliches to choose from in these situations..but I will just say, at some point this too will pass and you will be on your feet again with your loving family still beside you.
Blessings,
ladyalpha
Thanks! :) :hugz: I'm glad Im not alone.
My sister is more upset with my mom being the way she is. She understands its hard for us right now. She asked me earlier after she took hannah to school. (came back to visit for a few) to give her a load of our laundry and she would wash and dry it for us. That helps me out too.
I bought a gift for her and her husband for christmas,and included a christmas card. in the card I thanked her for helping us, that we truly appreciated everything they've done to help us.
She actually told me to forget about counting on mom for rides. She also thought mom was just saying my dad went to mass to work so she wouldnt be able to(hae an excuse) not to bring hannah.

I also included a note for hannahs teacher asking if she knew of any programs to help with transportation through the school (buses). I mentioned how our cars in bad shape, and also mentioned/asked if kathy the community worker maybe knew of a program and explained that we cant always find a ride for hannah and I dont want her to have alot of absences.. I did that instead of calling so I could save my minutes.

My neice told me that my sister (different sister than above) laurie might be getting evicted. She is on housing and used her portion of the rent and her cable bill money on presents for her kids. She should of explained to them that things were tight for them and she couldnt do alot this year. I really hope she is able to get the $$ up soon.
I told my sister,robin that we knew we couldnt afford to buy for the kids,so we applied for help for xmas. She said thats why she spent more on them this year. :D ( she loves hannah and vinny)

[ladyalpha]

Oh, I am sorry that your mom is not being there for you. I thought in the original post that it was just because of not be able to drive in the snow (or fear of having problems with your daughter with her), and then not having a car to use, that kept her from helping you.

I hope the school is able to help you. Surely your not the first person they have had there with these problems. I know in Green Bay, we would have been in the same situation, if we hadn't been able to work around my husband's schedule. They did not have bus services for their district children, unless they had behavioral problems.
It was nothing to see little kids walking by themselves to school in freezing cold weather. It was something I couldn't fathom doing to a child.

[Autumn]

You mentioned a family worker...can she hook you up with another family who drives, who may already be driving right past your house?

[DreamSpell333]

Oh, I am sorry that your mom is not being there for you. I thought in the original post that it was just because of not be able to drive in the snow (or fear of having problems with your daughter with her), and then not having a car to use, that kept her from helping you.

I hope the school is able to help you. Surely your not the first person they have had there with these problems. I know in Green Bay, we would have been in the same situation, if we hadn't been able to work around my husband's schedule. They did not have bus services for their district children, unless they had behavioral problems.
It was nothing to see little kids walking by themselves to school in freezing cold weather. It was something I couldn't fathom doing to a child.

My mom has often told fibbs to get our of having to help us. (not just me but my other sisters as well) I think its because she has copd and gets sick easily. My dad will sometimes tell her she cant go out because she will get sick.
When I told my sister what she told me,my sister said what I had been thinking.. That mom was just saying dad had her car. He has a truck that he barely even uses now!! it's a dodge ram which has GOT to be good in the snow..

The social worker from the school called me alittle while ago. She told me she was looking into the bus routes and when they pick up kids. She said that they will pick up but only go one way.. She also said that they had similar issues with other parents in the area ,so she said she will see about connecting us with soem of them. She said she will let me know tomorrow..

[DreamSpell333]

You mentioned a family worker...can she hook you up with another family who drives, who may already be driving right past your house?

I think she's working on that now :)

My sister said she will work out getting hannah to school tomorrow as well. so tomorrow is covered..

[ladyalpha]

That is good news. At least you don't have to worry about tomorrow and you have someone with some pull working on this. Hopefully she will be able to find a solution that works for you and others in the community.

I am truly sorry to hear that about your mom. My mom also has COPD, so I understand the issues that can cause. But, hopefully she will be there for you, and others in your family, in other ways. It is a shame that she feels the need to lie about things though, rather than just say outright that she doesn't want to do something. I think being lied to would be more hurtful than just being told no. In my opinion anyway.
But, some people see it as easier/better to make something up than hurt someone's feelings by being straight forward.

Again, I truly hope that the school is able to work with you and others in the area and get something figured out quickly.

[Sun Sprite]

I agree. It's too cold here to walk to the mail box. I wouldn't even have let a kid out today, most liekly. It was 10 this morning, and a high of 16, with windchills well below zero. Perfect pnuemonia weather.

Truly hope you can work something out soon!

Best wishes

[DreamSpell333]

I agree. It's too cold here to walk to the mail box. I wouldn't even have let a kid out today, most liekly. It was 10 this morning, and a high of 16, with windchills well below zero. Perfect pnuemonia weather.

Truly hope you can work something out soon!

Best wishes

I read online here that it's suppose to be 15 below.. Definitely too cold to walk. When my sister had lent me her car a few weeks ago; vinny got a cold just from going in and out.
The social worker most likely realizes that she isnt always available to give rides as well,so hopefully she can find a solution for us. For her to give hannah a ride I have to be there as well..
I dont see us getting another decent car for awhile because of lack of money. I doubt we'd get a very dependable car for 100.00 at an auction,, We most
likely wont be getting our income taxes this year because hubby owes on his student loan. (hopefully it will be almost paid off,so we can use income tax next year for a car...)

[Sun Sprite]

We most
likely wont be getting our income taxes this year because hubby owes on his student loan. (hopefully it will be almost paid off,so we can use income tax next year for a car...)

Actually, there is a tax break for student loans. All interest paid on the loans is deductible.

[DreamSpell333]

Actually, there is a tax break for student loans. All interest paid on the loans is deductible.

Im not sure if he actually paid anything on it in 07' . 2007 was a rough year for us finiancially. between the baby being born, DH being being in the hospital for a week and out another 2 weeks for IV treatments, MIL abandoning us with the lease and her back utility bills and our move back to NH..
We are just starting to get back on our feet..

[ladyalpha]

Did he get extensions on his loan? Or did he just blow it off and not speak to anyone? My husband also owes on a student loan but he speaks to them when they call and gets extensions, due to hardships. That keeps us from having his refund taken. I was really worried about that also so I made him stop ignoring them..it doesn't work to ignore them anyway, they hound the hell out of people.
I was not aware that there was a break for paying, I will have to have him get his receipts together for the few times he was able to pay a little during the year.

[DreamSpell333]

Did he get extensions on his loan? Or did he just blow it off and not speak to anyone? My husband also owes on a student loan but he speaks to them when they call and gets extensions, due to hardships. That keeps us from having his refund taken. I was really worried about that also so I made him stop ignoring them..it doesn't work to ignore them anyway, they hound the hell out of people.
I was not aware that there was a break for paying, I will have to have him get his receipts together for the few times he was able to pay a little during the year.

Normally we ask for extensions but this year he blew it off. I asked him to call them as they didnt want to speak to me anymore. They wanted to speak to him directly,and he never called. So its on him, but we really could have used the tax $$.

He never told me about his student loan before we got married either.. I found out when a woman called the house. Said her name was stacey and that she needed to speak to my husband. I thought he was cheating on me,so blew up at him.! He called her and found out it was for his loan.

[ladyalpha]

I understand the blowing it off thing. My husband did that a few times also. They didn't take our taxes though, so you might still get them.
I have only spoken to one man and that was after they were rude with my mom, as we didn't have a phone for them to contact us with. Apparently federal laws state they have to have a number. Well, once I got it through to the guy that we didn't have a phone and they were not to call her house again (how they got the number in the first place we don't know), they started leaving us alone for awhile. Then I swear they killed an entire forest for all the letters they started sending. We get about two a month and the occassional phone call now.
I had to harass my husband before he would accept a phone call from them and take the time to talk to the woman about an extension. She was really nice and understanding and gave an extension until sometime this month. But, he will file for another one when it comes up. There is just no way to add that payment in with our current bills and still survive. The current bills alone are trying to kill us.
But, as we do need our refund and especially this year, since we are planning on using it to move somewhere we can actually survive..there was no way I was letting him off the hook. I can be worse than dealing with bill collectors. lol

I would have confronted my husband also if a woman called here like that. lol

I would go in and do your taxes like normal and see. You may be surprised and get your refund without any problems, even though your anticipating getting nothing.

[DreamSpell333]

Ok, found out there is a bus that can pick her up at 12:05 during the week, BUT they cannot drop her off.

So she now has a way in, just have to work on a way home at 3pm..

My mom volunteered to pick her up tomorrow and the social worker is still working
on finding other parents in the area that pick their children up.

I know of 1 person in my apartment building (building across) BUT she is an EX friend of mine and hubby doesnt want me associating with her. ( long story) Im sure theres got to be another parent nearby though..

[WillowsMuse]

Just some :hugz: I hope you find a solution. I can imagine how frustrating it must be.

[PrincessKLS]

Sometimes I think enrolling hannah in school was a mistake. She loves it and im really happy for that.
My husband has the car all day. It's in bad shape,so I dont take it. Dont want to risk breaking down with the kids. (needs front axles,and a windshield).
My sister and parents volunteered to help get Hannah to school each day. Im getting fed up asking them. I hate not having a 2nd vehicle,and wish her school picked up kids in this area,but its a walking zone.. Too cold to walk her with the baby.
My mom told me that if it werent snowing today she would take hannah to school. Well my dad decided to take her car and now I have no ride for hannah. My sister has another dentist appointment. I'm in the situation that I have to call her out. I feel so bad,but I just dont know what to do.
I'm just so sick and tired of asking for help. I just want to go hide in my room and not be seen again.
:sadman::wah2::scream:

Walking zone? When I was in school, they didn't have that. In fact walking home from and to school wasn't an option until middle school. They had a walking zone when my mother was in school but this was like in the late 50s and 60s.

[PrincessKLS]

What exactly is the walking zone limit in your town? Is it like a mile or less?

[DreamSpell333]

What exactly is the walking zone limit in your town? Is it like a mile or less?

I think it's about a mile or so from the school.

I just cant walk with my son in this weather. Too cold

[DreamSpell333]

I understand the blowing it off thing. My husband did that a few times also. They didn't take our taxes though, so you might still get them.
I have only spoken to one man and that was after they were rude with my mom, as we didn't have a phone for them to contact us with. Apparently federal laws state they have to have a number. Well, once I got it through to the guy that we didn't have a phone and they were not to call her house again (how they got the number in the first place we don't know), they started leaving us alone for awhile. Then I swear they killed an entire forest for all the letters they started sending. We get about two a month and the occassional phone call now.
I had to harass my husband before he would accept a phone call from them and take the time to talk to the woman about an extension. She was really nice and understanding and gave an extension until sometime this month. But, he will file for another one when it comes up. There is just no way to add that payment in with our current bills and still survive. The current bills alone are trying to kill us.
But, as we do need our refund and especially this year, since we are planning on using it to move somewhere we can actually survive..there was no way I was letting him off the hook. I can be worse than dealing with bill collectors. lol

I would have confronted my husband also if a woman called here like that. lol

I would go in and do your taxes like normal and see. You may be surprised and get your refund without any problems, even though your anticipating getting nothing.

Were still going to file for sure.. The last letter we got from them stated he had to call them immdiately or they would either garnish his wages or take further action.
If I had worked in 07 I would have filed seperately and claim the kids but I have no income for 07 ..

[DreamSpell333]

I have my 2nd interview for tomorrow at dunkin donuts!! :) Their going to hire me!

This should help us with fixing the car. Then maybe we can save up for a 2nd
car!! :)

[halfwaynowhere]

look into injured/innocent spouse (i can't remember which it is). if you file that way, even if they do take the refund to pay off the loan, they will only take his portion, you still get your part, because the loan was acquired before you were married, so its not your responsibility... if i can remember where i put my textbooks referring to that, i'll try to post more info on that for you...

[DreamSpell333]

look into injured/innocent spouse (i can't remember which it is). if you file that way, even if they do take the refund to pay off the loan, they will only take his portion, you still get your part, because the loan was acquired before you were married, so its not your responsibility... if i can remember where i put my textbooks referring to that, i'll try to post more info on that for you...

Thanks! :)

** I just called H&R block to ask about it. They said I could only file injured spouse if i worked in 07 and I didnt work**

Hannah is riding the bus today for the first time!! :D She was all excited. :)

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I can not speak for your area but this may help.

I am a transportation router for a Virginia county school system. Most walk zones are established by vote done at the local school board level. The school board decides how far a walk zone will be and what exceptions may occur within that walk zone. You may be able to have the School Board re-evalute the walk zone specifications.

If the transportation has been sublet to another source or provided by a non-school owned system your choices may be severly restricted. Many area's contract thier transportation requirements out, so the school system doesn't actually have much pull on where stops and such will be.

If you contact the transportation office you may discover that their are stops near by that fall on the fringes of the walk zone. We have some where one end of the road is a walk zone the other end is transportation provided.

Another possible avenue is to call the Director of Transportation or Superintendent of Schools and request services be provied due to mitigating factors. I can't say for sure whether it will help but I know I have routed buses into walk zones for unique situations. I have also created home stops when the usual procedure is to create corner stops and have all students walk to that stop.

[Sun Sprite]

I know here they used to have a bus come down our street every hou on the hour.

Now, only the elementary bus comes down th street twice a day, ad the older kids walk to one of two corners, unless it is raining or below 35 degrees, at which students Must be picked up and dropped off at their homes. Walking is discouraged due to traffic congestion, and lack of sidewalks, though some middle school kids do (it's only 1/2 a mile away or so).

[Lunacie]

I know here they used to have a bus come down our street every hou on the hour.

Now, only the elementary bus comes down th street twice a day, ad the older kids walk to one of two corners, unless it is raining or below 35 degrees, at which students Must be picked up and dropped off at their homes. Walking is discouraged due to traffic congestion, and lack of sidewalks, though some middle school kids do (it's only 1/2 a mile away or so).

My grandkids have to walk to the corner to meet the school bus, which is about 1/3 as far as I walked to school when I was their age. Many kids walked much further. Our bus certainly doesn't pick up or drop off at our door no matter what the weather is like.

If it's just cold, no rain and no wind, we bundle up and walk to the corner because it's good exercise and fresh air. Even if it's snowy or icy we will walk. But when the wind is whipping our coats around and blowing the hoods off our heads, or if it's raining really hard I drive them to the corner or pick them up. That happens maybe a dozen times a year if that many.

Would I take an infant out in sub-freezing weather? I'd certainly rather not. But I did see a gramma meeting the bus yesterday with a little one in a stroller that was wrapped up in a large clear plastic bag of some sort to block the wind. Seemed like a pretty good idea. The sun was out and the wind chill was only about 25 F, was much colder in the morning.

[DreamSpell333]

Here the bus will pick her up but wont drop her off in the afternoons.. I bundled the baby up in his snowsuit but im thinking if its this cold on monday I will be putting him in his snowsuit,in the stroller and putting a blanket on him and one covering the stroller. I didnt realize how heavy he's getting! :lol:
He liked it though. Was pointing at everything. I would tell him what it was "tree,car,etc" :) He knows where his room is now too :D If I say
bedtime or night nites, he'll point to his room and crawl/walk to it. :D

[Chesna]

I did not read everything DS..but here is another option, I hope it was not mentioned. At our schools, we have before and after school programs, even for the kindergarteners. It goes from 6 am to 6:30 pm. They even are open during X-mas breaks and other days that school is closed. Here it is staffed by YMCA staff. They do all sorts of things with them. Thru them Ellie has learned the months of the year in English, Spanish and no French..and it the correct order. Look to se eif your school has something like that. You may be able to get your local county agency or the program it self to help with paying for it. That way your hubby could drop off before work and pick up after. We have Ellie in it 3 days per week. There they make sure she gets breakfast and lunch and snack. She loves it!! It may be worth it to see if your school has something similar.
Good Luck!!

Chesna

[DreamSpell333]

I did not read everything DS..but here is another option, I hope it was not mentioned. At our schools, we have before and after school programs, even for the kindergarteners. It goes from 6 am to 6:30 pm. They even are open during X-mas breaks and other days that school is closed. Here it is staffed by YMCA staff. They do all sorts of things with them. Thru them Ellie has learned the months of the year in English, Spanish and no French..and it the correct order. Look to se eif your school has something like that. You may be able to get your local county agency or the program it self to help with paying for it. That way your hubby could drop off before work and pick up after. We have Ellie in it 3 days per week. There they make sure she gets breakfast and lunch and snack. She loves it!! It may be worth it to see if your school has something similar.
Good Luck!!

Chesna

Thats a good Idea! If not in the am, maybe they have an afternoon program around 3 that she could go to and then i could ahve hubby pick her up on his way home.
Her way to school is all set now (Bus). Just need a way to get her home..
Thanks! I will look into it!

updated: I looked on their school website and didnt see any after school programs other than a writing class for 3rd graders and up.. I looked into
the ymca and they do have an after school program but her school wasnt on the list. :( I emailed them to see if they would be adding her school in the future. (never know the website may not be updated)