Mr Golden Sun

Yesterday afternoon, I was folding some clothes on the bed when Ying Ying suddenly said,

"I want mama to fetch me from school."
"Why? You don't like to take the school bus?"
"No. (shaking head) I don't like to take the school bus."

"Why?"
"Because... school bus very hot WAN AH!" (narrowing her eyes and waving her hands about)
"Very hot?"
"YAH! School bus very hot WAN...very very hot." (waving hands about again)
"Auntie never switched on the air-con??"
"YAH!"

"The air-con spoiled???"

"Yah... maybe it's because of Mr Golden Sun...Mr Golden Sun very hot wan."

I tell you, my heart just broke and our short conversation kept replaying at the back of my mind.

You see, the bus auntie assistant always seat her next to the window on the way to school because she needs something to lean on since she is always only half-awake in the morning and continues to sleep (!) on the way to school. Then on the way back from school, she is again seated next to the window by a different bus auntie assistant because she is the last one off the bus (poor thing!).

I can't believe I have subjected her to MONTHS (since last August) of sun-tanning discomfort in the schoolbus for 1hr (abt 30mins each way); 5x a week!!! What kinda mum am I??? :(

Some people have asked me if she swims frequently because she is so tanned. For a while, I was wondering if I should ask her teachers to help apply sunblock lotion on her whenever she plays outdoors in school. Now I know it is mainly because of the stupid school bus seating arrangement. No wonder her shirt is always drenched with perspiration when she alights from the school bus. I always thought she had perspired due to all the activities in school plus she is quite a hyper kid to begin with. I really didn't know the heat in the school bus was so bad. Fancy sitting in the afternoon sun for 1/2hr nearly everyday!! I am so sorry, darling!!! :(((

I feel so guilty now but it is simply not practical for me to fetch her using public transport with 11kg meimei tagging along on a daily basis. Husband has suggested me getting a small car for this purpose but I think it is ridiculous since I am not even earning right now. Taking cab will definitely cost more than the school bus fee though it will certainly make a more comfortable ride home. But is cab-taking worth the time, money and effort?

What should I do? Haiz.