Teaching My Kids a Valuable Life Skill: Navigating Public Transportation
I am a professor at a community college in a small Northern California town and I had the great fortune to take my students to study in Spain over the summer. While abroad, we had to take the metro system and all but one student felt comfortable navigating public transportation – most were petrified. This scenario brought me to the realization that although my two sons had experience riding commuter trains and public buses, they too would have no idea how the system worked. So I decided to fix that!
Once back in the States, I began enforcing my pre-teen kids to take public transportation when we visited large cities. Not only that, but I now make them plan out our route. In the beginning, I was met with lots of whining. But I never pass up the opportunity to teach my boys life lessons, things like:
We are fortunate to have a car. My kids don't think twice about having a car to take them to and from school or to drive them to fun adventures. They have no idea about the cost of gas, maintenance, or car payments. On public transportation, we see commuters, families, and the occasional unhoused person. It’s important to me that they understand having a car is expensive and is a privilege – not everyone has one. They were shocked to learn that many kids have to take public transportation to school every day. A car is not something our family should take for granted.
I am teaching my kids that life isn’t always comfortable. Riding in my car is much more comfortable than public transportation. I am teaching them to deal with it without complaining! Thankfully, we have used public transportation enough times now that they are used to it and know what is expected of them. I think the biggest hump was getting over their fear of the unknown. Now that they understand the system, they don't whine (as much).
Planning our route takes time management and patience. When we take public transportation there is a lot of hurrying up and waiting. By using public transportation, my kids learn the importance of being mindful of schedules and timing. I want my boys to understand what happens in life when you, “miss the bus.”
I force the kids to (gasp!) read a map! Nowadays, we are reliant on our phone navigation system and we have no idea what is around us. I make them read a map to understand the route. I require them to pay attention to the stops and when we are required to transfer. I know they will one day use their phone’s map app to help guide them. But for now, I want them to understand the system.
Riding public transportation is better for our environment. It’s important to me that I teach my kids about sustainability and ways to reduce emissions. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is transportation. Compared with driving alone, however, taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions by 45%. It's estimated that public transportation in the U.S. saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. (transportation.ucla.edu) You can also feel good about decreasing pollutants in the atmosphere and improving air quality while teaching your kids life skills!
TIPS for first-timers:
1. Although I make my kids read the transit map, I do preplan our trip on my cell phone navigation. You can switch your map app from drive mode to ‘transit’ mode, and a backup plan is always advisable.
2. Not only will your phone give you the step-by-step (literally) route, but it will also tell you the cost. In the beginning, I would get exact change for the boys. Now that we do it so often we all have our own transit cards.
3. Have your kids bring a backpack full of snacks, water, hand sanitizer, and things to keep them occupied for longer rides. Although my sons pack their electronic devices, they still prefer to take in the sights and people-watch. A win-win for mom!
4. A large percentage of people who take public transportation are commuters but you will also encounter unhoused transients. Teach your kids to be mindful of their surroundings. This is an important lesson about traveling in general.
I’d like to think that my kids will thank me one day when they are old enough to travel alone. I know I am setting them up for success. I want them to explore without fear of the unknown.
If you live in a rural area, I encourage you to teach your children how to navigate public transportation. Until I traveled abroad with college-aged adults, I didn’t realize it was a life skill.
Read more about the Benefits of Sustainable Transportation and Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Happy Earth Day!
About Claudette Shatto
Claudette has lived in the Napa Valley for 23 years. She is married with two children. She is a Professor at Napa Valley College. Her passion project is teaching leadership to first graders and she is currently writing a children’s picture book series incorporating the entrepreneur/ growth mindset.
Follow her on social @claudetteshatto
