Crossing guards

[whatever22]

Ok, this is going to sound silly but it bothers me! I'm sure everyone has noticed all the crossing guards out near the schools now that school is back in session.

They get paid to cross the children--not the rest of us! It's nice to have someone crossing us when we want to be crossed, but we should have the right to cross when we want to and not when someone says it's ok. I do not need or want some adult telling me when and how to cross the street.

I was waiting to cross the street today to anxiously pick my son up from kindergarten and the guard failed to cross us parents during a red light. I still don't understand why he stood there when he had a perfect opportunity to cross us.

Not wanting to wait a moment longer to be reunited with my son, I started to walk into the road to wait for the perfect time to dart the rest of the way across. The tactic is to usually wait until one side is clear, walk out, and wait for a break in traffic to make it to the other side.

Not only was I scolded by the crossing guard like a little child, but the other parents tried to scold me as well! Gee, how do I cross such a busy road all the rest of the time when no guard is present?

I may be wrong on this or being stubborn all around, but I would really prefer if the guards crossed the children like they get paid to do and allow all the adults that choose to cross themselves do so at their own leisure and discretion.

[Joubert[$]]

It depends on the area in which you live, of course, but many jurisdictions use police department employees, or even officers, for such duty. If that's the case, one would be required to follow their direction at the intersection.

[whatever22]

Very true... and in which case, I would follow the law. I was referring to civilians employed by the school districts paid to cross small children.

[emeleel]

Only thing I can think is, if there are kids outside the school across the street, perhaps not following the crossing guard might set a bad example? Perhaps they're worried that the kids might think, "Well, that lady didn't wait for the crossing guard, I don't have to, either." Just a thought.

[mtbat]

Originally posted by whatever22
Ok, this is going to sound silly but it bothers me! I'm sure everyone has noticed all the crossing guards out near the schools now that school is back in session.

They get paid to cross the children--not the rest of us! It's nice to have someone crossing us when we want to be crossed, but we should have the right to cross when we want to and not when someone says it's ok. I do not need or want some adult telling me when and how to cross the street.

I was waiting to cross the street today to anxiously pick my son up from kindergarten and the guard failed to cross us parents during a red light. I still don't understand why he stood there when he had a perfect opportunity to cross us.

Not wanting to wait a moment longer to be reunited with my son, I started to walk into the road to wait for the perfect time to dart the rest of the way across. The tactic is to usually wait until one side is clear, walk out, and wait for a break in traffic to make it to the other side.

Not only was I scolded by the crossing guard like a little child, but the other parents tried to scold me as well! Gee, how do I cross such a busy road all the rest of the time when no guard is present?

I may be wrong on this or being stubborn all around, but I would really prefer if the guards crossed the children like they get paid to do and allow all the adults that choose to cross themselves do so at their own leisure and discretion.

I don't know how to split up quotes-someone tell me how k? but there are a couple of things-
1-about them being paid-they might not be paid-where we live-the crossing guards are volenteers only-

2-While I'm on your side about the crossing guard making you wait when he didn't have to-he shouldn't have done that-for saftey'ssake you shouldn't cross unless it's okay-for one-you are setting an example for the children-if they see you cross when no-one else is, they will think it's okay for them to ignore the guard!

My suggestion-Next time this happens, and I'm betting it will-go up to the crossing guard and ask them point blank why they are not letting you cross at a red light-

Explain that you would like to be there when your child gets out of class and when there is a red light-you want to be able to cross the street-period.

you might want to go into the school and talk to them about this too-find out if the person is paid or not-find out what the rules are-personally, it kind of sounds like the crossing guard might be on a little bit of a power trip(sort of I AM ALL POWERFUL_YOU WALK WHEN I SAY)

but most importantly-be thankful that your school has crossing guards. Because it's all volunteer here, and there wern't enough volunteers for my daughter's school-I'd do it but they wouldn't let me have my 18 month old with me -there are NO crossing guards-let me tell you-its a giant accident waiting to happen-

If you park in the wrong place-it could take you 15 minutes to leave because the kids just straggle across at three different points-
If you are crossing, you are always worried that you just might get hit-

F/mtbat

[whatever22]

1-about them being paid-they might not be paid-where we live-the crossing guards are volenteers only-

Actually, the crossing guards around here are paid about $9.00/hour! That's a lot of money for part-time work. I am guessing this includes being outside in bad weather during the winter-time.

I don't have a problem with following the rules and setting a good example for children. I am bothered by not being crossed when it was ok to do so and then being scolded when I decide to cross the street anyway after he 'failed to do his job'.

On that note... my darling angel just locked his baby brother in the closet!!! Need to go put someone in time-out lol...