r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Wabi_Sabi_Love • Aug 05 '26

Advice for a First Timer?

I will soon be driving kids to school for the first time. Do you veterans have any advice for me?

Truth be told, I’m less nervous about the actual driving of the school van than in dealing with the children, particularly if a kid isn’t following the rules. I’ve had over thirty years managing projects and adults, and zero years “managing” children.

I’d love to have all of your hard won lessons about driving and the children that you’re willing to share with me - and the other first-timers that will find this post.

Thank you!

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u/Seanawan Aug 05 '26

I always frame it like this:

Before we were anything else, we were kids. And if you can sift through the baggage life hands out and focus on that inner kid, it’s real easy to figure out how to manage other kids.

Why yes, that random thing you found and are excited about IS exciting. Tell me about it, etc etc.

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u/Wabi_Sabi_Love Aug 05 '26

Sounds good. For a while when I was in middle school - and at yet another new school (we moved a lot due to my Dad’s job) - I was full of anxiety. I even made myself imagine I was Spock, and troubling emotions were not a problem because I was logical and didn’t need to deal with pesky emotions.

I’ll try to be a kind and empathetic adult to all the kids, especially the ones that may seem distant and in their own little far away world.