I have driven my two kids (8.5 and 6.5) since preschool and will do so until they drive themselves. We are currently in a school of choice so we don't have a bus option. Once we move to middle school and high school though, we are within walking distance (according to the schools) but there are too many major roads to cross and it's not biggie to simply drop them off. I too am from CA and even if we were in a bus area, I would still drive them. I remember the bus...shudder...and I hear stories from other parents whose kids DO take the bus and there is a lot of bullying. Some things never change I guess...

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003