The school bus can be a frightening and disconcerting place, especially for a elementary aged child. It shouldn't be that way but it is what it is. The reason the school bus is such a dreadful place for many young children is the breeding ground for bullies it has unfortunately become.

I'll put it this way, one school bus driver per every 40-60 kids. Not quite a comfortable ratio is it? I would venture to say it gets slightly safer later on in a students bus riding career. I believe this is because kids are a little more apt to stand up for themselves and others as they become more mature. But it isn't always that simple.

Prepare your child for the school bus by preparing them for the bullies. Tell them not to hesitate asking an adult for help if the bullying gets out of hand. Another tip I can give is to ask the bus driver personally if your child can sit in one of first three rows. The bus driver will usually comply and your child can ride the bus at ease and out of the bully range. Most competent bus drivers will have seating charts made up after the first couple of weeks of school has begun with the troublemakers situated in the front of the bus. The way I look at it, if you have a good bus driver, bullying won't be a concern and your child will be fine.

Now comes the spiel about bus "riding" etiquette. A child should be taught to never stand up and walk around while the bus is in motion. Bus rides will be more than likely very bumpy and uneven. Your child needs to be firmly settled in the seat and stay there for the entire ride. If your a parent of a young child and it's their first day of school, walk out to the bus stop with them and reassure them that everything will be alright. You need to get the point across that your child doesn't have to do anything they're not comfortable doing. It's also wouldn't hurt to meet the bus driver and tell them that your child will behave and that you appreciate their duty.

I'm sure all of us have missed the bus at least one time or another. It may be inevitable, but try to always have your child to the bus stop early to avoid being late for the bus. Drivers have a strict schedule to follow and are easily angered at any inconviences.

As a parent you should always be aware of the bus driver rules posted in the bus. Those rules are posted for a reason, it's to keep the kids safe! I'm pretty sure the last obstacle a parent needs is having their child get kicked off the bus. With so many parents working outside of the house nowadays, bus transportation is a blessing and should not be taken for granted.

The school bus experience doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Great conversations can be had on a long bus ride and many friends can be made as well.
Just remember, it's a long and embarrassing fall down to the ground if you don't watch your step.

Learn more about this author, Neifi Perez.
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