Every morning I wait for the bus with my boys. We’re usually more than a few minutes early, but we fill the time with Monkey in the Middle or tossing a frisbee or… something. A couple of times a month, there is a parent from earlier in the route scrambling to get their kids on the bus. It used to be at least once a week, but that one kid is on a different bus now.

The thing is, I know stuff happens, but is it really that hard to get your kids outside in time. I mean, we’re supposed to be teaching them responsibility and leading by example, right? And I’m not trying to be a hard ass. Once or twice a year is certainly acceptable, but it’s the people who blow it a couple times a month that get me.

And understand, we’re the last in a series of three stops in a 100 yard stretch of road, so the “laties” usually get their kid on the bus at once of the prior two stops. We’re really the last hope because there is only one more stop between our house and the school, far enough away that the parent might as well take the kid all the way there. It’s either that or attempt the manic pull up close to the back of the bus flashing bright lights and waving arms to get the bus driver’s attention move on a 55 mph major road.

They often look more like prospective patients in search of alcoholism treatment centers than parents trying to get their kids to school on time.