day 3...and the bus driver YELLED at them

:faint: I'm mortified!! :blush:

I went to greet the bus today and the bus driver is yelling "EXCUSE ME!" while looking at me, then looking inside the bus. I thought she was talking to one of the kids on the bus so I didn't think much of it. Then she said it again "EXCUSE ME! I need to talk to you!" She was shouting at me. :blush: So I walk over and she says "you have to tell them they cannot sit in the back with the neighbor. Kindergartners need to sit in the front. I already told them this!!" Ummm...okay. I know K's are supposed to sit in front, we also told the girls this. But...you have to yell at me? ardon: And...they went to school for 2 days and then had 4 off, you have to yell at them? ardon:

I talked to the girls about it and Lauren was sobbing (no big surprise) and said the bus driver yelled at her. Since she's the dramatic one I decided to ask Emma about it to see just how bad it was. So I said non-chalantly "Hey Em, did she use a loud voice or soft voice when you sat in the back with Abby?" She said "no no momma, she yelled."

I'm not saying my kids are perfect but I've always been told by preschool teachers and others that have sat for them that they usually listen. I don't get why she had to be so mean after having to remind them on day 3...after a long 4 day weekend.

Someone help me see the other side of this. I am utterly embarassed and a little annoyed. :hush:

 

completely uncalled for!!! If there was no safety hazard, there is absolutely NO reason for her to yell at them....holy eff - she needs a talking to!

 

When I read your status the first thing I thought was that Lolo did NOT need this.

I think it was totally uncalled for. :umm: If it were me I think I would call the school or transportation dept.... whoever handles the bus driver... because this was uncalled for BIG time and who wants to have a mean old bus driver ruin their experience. :hug: I get that they shouldn't be sitting in the back but chill the hell out. Talk calmly, talk to the parent... yelling should be saved for life threatening situations. Just my opinion though. God, does she spank them if they stand while the bus is in motion?

 

As far as I am concerned, there is no other side. She was out of line if she yelled at them. They are 5 years old & new at the whole bus thing, for goodness sake! :hug:

 

I called my neighbor (whose child Lauren was trying to sit with - found out Emma was in the front - it was only Lauren) because it's been the same driver for years and my neighbor really likes her! She said she was surprised that she was like this with them.

I get that they should follow the rules. But come on, they haven't been on the bus since Thursday!! If it was Thursday and she had to tell them for 3 days in a row then yeah, I'd be a little perturbed too!!

My neighbor said to talk to the driver tomorrow to see if they did as asked. I definitely don't want to start the school year on the wrong foot with anyone.

 

:hug: Definitely sounds like she was a bit harsh, maybe she was having a bad day, but still no excuse to do that.

I think it's a good idea to talk to her tomorrow and if it happens again then I'd call the transportation dept., I ( me personally) would not call about the situation unless it happened again...but that's just me.

 

I'm feeling the same Amy. I call my neighbor first. Only because she has been there, done that with 3 kids. Her oldest is in 7th and youngest in 2nd. We were chatting tonight about how she's been in every "situation" so she'll be glad to lend an ear/advice when I need it. :good:

 

I still think it's uncalled for to yell at them. They did need REMINDING but not to be yelled at. I'd call the school and ask if this is acceptable operating procedure towards kinders

 

I think a gentle reminder would have been the way to go.

 

I ♥ our bus driver! He was out part of last year due to a shoulder injury. I would definitely talk to the bus driver but unless the driver is new, she should known that yelling should be a last resort. Sorry it happened. If you don't get results you need with talking to her, contact the garage.

 

It is so nice to have someone like that. :good:

 

No matter what the circumstances .. I don't react kindly to anyone yelling at my children.

I hope you get this straightened out !

 

I'm going to see how today goes. If she's fine and the bus driver is more pleasant, we'll let it be. If I'm met with attitude again, I'm definitely going to question why she felt the need to yell at her. ardon:

Based on comments from my neighbor and my cousin's wife (who have had years of experience with this driver), I'm going to chalk it up to a bad day. Not an excuse for sure, but it is what it is.

 

Do you think maybeshe raised her voice because she needed to be heard over the kids? And not out of annoyance? I hope today goes better :hug:

 

Definitely a possibility! Very good point Leighann. :good:

 

I think that is a good plan Michelle. :good:

And very good point Leighann! I remember riding the bus as a kid and it was loud, even if the kids weren't necessarily loud, the bus itself is loud.

 

Or maybe she's getting old and hard of hearing so she talks louder. :lol:

 

:rofl: That's it!!

 

Off topic, As someone who was a sensitive child, didn't like any loud or even negative tone, and who broke down crying over the slightest wilting look until 5th grade, you may want to talk to your daughter about how people express themselves differently and role play situations where she has the ability to learn how to react to being talked with sternly or loudly. I've had grocery store clerks or even just random strangers say stern/loud things to my kids for no reason other than they've wanted to armchair parent or they were deaf and loud. It is shocking to both adult and kid when this happens (I absolutely hate when elderly men loudly interrogate my son on whether or not he's been good because my son always looks like a deer in the headlights). At least as an adult I know to ignore them but kids have no idea what to do. Role playing is great because it gives kids the knowledge of how to act before they get caught in a situation.

I really hope the bus driver had no ill intention and I hope you got no attitude this morning.

 

I was thinking the same thing. It's really loud on the bus, and between the kids and the motor, the bus driver needs to be loud to be heard.

Just trying to think of the other angles. I hope the girls have a better ride for the rest of the week.

 

WONDERFUL reminder, thank you!! I did this with both of them last year when they started preschool because they weren't used to shoving/hitting as a gesture that was anything but mean. BUT...there were boys in their class that were very hands on a rough way but not a MEAN way, so we took some time talking about that.

I will most definitely talk to her to remind her of what you said above. She is my sensitive one that takes everything to heart (just as I was/am - crap) so it will definitely take some work over the years I'm sure. :faint:



I'm very anxious for the bus to come! My husband said she showed no hesitation getting on the bus today (although they do have a different driver at pickup).

 

...and potentially trying to get the attention of a 5 year old who is so excited to sit next to the neighbor... :blush:

That was a very good point she brought up and just why I posted here, because I was not thinking clearly.

 

I asked the driver how today went and she said so sweetly "Oh, they're so good! They stayed in the right seat today."

Good. I was happy to hear that. And then...when praising the girls for good listening Lauren said "well, the teacher told me where to sit". Come to find out, the "teacher" that told her where to sit was the bus driver. I asked where she told them to sit the other days and she said "she never told us. She only told us today." Ah ha. So you tell 5 year olds where to sit, and they stay there. Huh. What a novel concept. :laughing:

I'm just glad it went well. :good:

 

Yeah! So glad it went better today.

 

Can I borrow your bus driver for dinner time? Glad it all was better.

 

Good news that it went well! And yeah... isn't it amazing how a little instruction will do wonders for five year olds?

 

Sure you can Irene! :laughing:

Exactly Tricia! That's just what I was thinking.

 

Glad you feel better about it. I would still be frustrated that she would yell at them (when they were not told where to sit to begin with) and then talk to me that way too. Expectations need to be set up BEFORE getting frustrated and yelling at people. Regardless of the day you are having.

 

Awww, glad they understand the rules now. My guess would be she yelled to quiet the bus, but maybe Lauren & Emma thought they were getting yelled at? Especially if she is a beloved bus driver by others.