Let me start by saying that driving a school bus brings me joy. I cherish the little ones I transport and their quirky antics. However, dealing with some parents? That’s a different story. Here’s a light-hearted look at things you probably shouldn’t say to your kid’s bus driver.
- “My kids will never ride the bus; it’s too risky.” School buses are engineered for safety without seat belts, thanks to their tall, padded seats. As a driver, I can’t monitor every child’s lap, and believe me, an unbuckled seatbelt can cause chaos. Statistically, your child is more likely to face an accident in your car than on my bus. In a collision, buses typically come out on top.
- “My child was bullied on the bus and you did nothing.” Bullying is unfortunate, and we strive to address it. Bullies face consequences—like a call to their guardians or even losing bus privileges. But parents often forget that their child needs to speak up too. There are 77 kids on my bus, and my attention is divided among them. I can’t hear every name-calling incident over the sound of a speeding car and a roaring engine!
- “Are you sure it was my child?” Yes, I’m absolutely sure. I’ve been driving your child since kindergarten, and now they’re in 5th grade. Multiple kids have confirmed it. I have to file reports when such incidents occur, and yes, there may be consequences for your child. I’m not blind; if I were, I wouldn’t be driving a bus!
- “But the other kids hit him first.” Just because another child acted out doesn’t give yours a free pass to retaliate. Remember the golden rule: two wrongs don’t make a right!
- “Oh, I know he/she is a troublemaker.” This admission says, “I’m aware of my child’s behavior but won’t do anything about it.” Parents need to step up and guide their kids to behave properly, or else they might find themselves walking to school!
- “Why won’t you come to my house?” I live in Vermont, where many roads are off-limits for buses. We can’t drive down private roads, and we need safe turnaround spots. What seems easy in summer can be treacherous in winter. We’re not off-road vehicles!
- “I’m sorry I’m late.” Your tardiness affects all the kids. I can’t drop off your kindergartener at the bottom of a hill while waiting for you to arrive!
- “I didn’t see you.” Believe it or not, some people say this after zooming past our flashing lights. My inner voice says, “You didn’t see the BIG YELLOW bus?” Really?
- “It wasn’t me who passed you.” We take note of license plates of those who ignore our stop signs. Kids are trained to tell us what they see. So, when the police call, and you deny it, remember—your car’s unique plate was spotted!
- “How do you do your job without losing your mind?” Driving a bus isn’t glamorous, but I love it. The hours are ideal, and I get school vacations off. Watching my kindergarteners grow is a joy. Sure, some days make me want to duct tape them down, but the sweet moments—like receiving a hand-drawn card calling me “the bestest driver”—make it all worthwhile.
In conclusion, while being a bus driver can be challenging, it’s also fulfilling. It’s essential to foster a respectful relationship between parents and drivers for the safety and happiness of everyone involved. For more on navigating parenting and family planning, check out this excellent resource on fertility at Johns Hopkins. If you’re considering home insemination, you can explore options at Make A Mom as well! And for privacy concerns, see our policy here.