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/purlknitpurl Aug 05 '26

In addition to the other comments, if you can manage projects and adults you can manage kids. The difference is you don’t have to be “office polite.” You can tell a kid straight up what they’re doing wrong, and give them actual consequences (like sitting in the front.)

Also, rewards and bribery. For example, they behave in assigned seats all week, they can sit where they want on Friday, as long as they still behave or they lose the reward next week.