No kid looks forward to the first day of school, particularly when it comes to those joining kindergarten or preschool. For returning pupils, some look forward to getting back to the normalcy that comes with school. However, others would rather stay at home, keep sleeping in, and spend long hours playing video games.
A young Wisconsin native by the name of Axel was escorted by his mom, Amy Johnson, to catch the yellow bus to his first day of school. At first, Axel seemed excited to embark on that journey until he approached the rather noisy and not so pleasant-smelling bus.
A Not So Happy Camper
Johnson, like most doting parents, was armed with a camera ready to immortalize that special moment. Axel was joining 4K, which is a pre-kindergarten year set up for kids aged four and younger within an elementary school. Axel was a happy camper, and by all accounts, he looked forward to embarking on that new journey.
They kept a watchful eye for the yellow bus, which was making its way towards them. Suddenly, Johnson found herself living through a scene most parents have described when escorting their children to their first day of school. Axel broke down crying when the bus came to a halt and opened its doors.
A Heartbreaking Scene
Johnson comforted Axel as she lifted him and encouraged him to enter the school bus. Instead, Axel clung to her as tight as he could, and he wasn’t about to let go. Isabel Lane, the bus driver, witnessed the heartbreaking scene, and she sympathized with the little boy.
Lane reassuringly told Axel that everything would be fine and that he would have so much fun. Johnson tried to use the opportunity to escape from Axel’s grasp so that the bus could continue on its way, but Axel wasn’t having it.
Extending A Reassuring Hand
Axel was making a stand, and he wanted his mom by his side while he embarked on that scary journey. Johson had managed to get him on the bus and onto a seat behind Lane’s. Axel continued crying, and Lane tried to help the best she could.
Lane reached her hand behind the driver’s seat, and Axel grabbed onto it. That gave Johnson the perfect opportunity to dash out of the bus. Johnson then kept watch and quickly snapped a photo of her baby boy’s first time on the bus.
Breakdowns Are Perfectly Normal
Seeing Axel latch onto Lane’s hand left Johnson feeling extremely grateful. At the same time, Johnson also felt relieved knowing that Axel was in safe hands. Lane later explained that it was the least that she could do at the time.
What to Expect, the popular parenting “bible,” says that break downs are perfectly normal for kids when they are separated from their parents. The book reassures parents that their child will be fine minutes later, even if the experience starts with howling and clinging.
Making A Huge Difference In Someone’s Day
Johnson did what every doting mom does, and she posted the touching photo she took on Facebook. The Augusta Police Department came across it, and they love it. In fact, it wasn’t long before the photo went viral, and it awed everyone.
Lane felt like her response in the situation came naturally to reach out her hand. Everyone else saw it as something more significant; someone took the time to make a massive difference in someone’s day.
Happy To Offer A Listening Ear
Lane kept chatting with Axel until they reached their destination – school. Axel was no longer crying, and for Lane, that was a big win that morning. Lane sent him off with the words she dispensed to every kid who rides her bus each morning.
Lane told him to make it a good day, and for every “I’ll try” response, Lane knows that she’s helped a kid know that they can be heard. Johnson said that after that first rocky bus ride, Axel happily hops onto the bus each morning, and he loves school.