What would you have done?

[Candyland]

I know I have mentioned before what a stinker J can be. He is all boy and then some but he isn't a bad kid. Just ornery!
So for school he rides 2 different buses. The one in the morning was threatening to kick him off the bus saying he was a trouble maker. He got in trouble at home and I backed the bus driver because I don't condone bad behavior. The last day he rode the bus the driver told J that he was a bad kid and one more incident and he was being kicked off the bus...in front of the entire busload of kids. J was in tears when he came home.
After school he rides a different bus. I have never had complaints but I thought I would be proactive and call the bus driver to see how he was doing. When I spoke to her she said Oh, J is a corker but we don't have any problems with him. I told her what had happened on the morning bus and she was appalled. The only thing she would say was that is just wrong.
So....I pulled him off of the morning bus. I will take them to school from now on so they don't have to ride. He is only 4 and noone is going to tell him he is a "bad kid". I haven't said anything to the school system because I figure I am going to have to deal with them for the next 14 years and I don't want to start trouble when my kids are in PreK. My mom along with several others think I should report her. Keep in mind as his mother I'd like to go rip her a new one but I am not thinking that is the right answer. :teehee

What would you have done?

[Supercalafragilistic]

Wow. I agree that I would like to rip that driver a new one.

It's strange that the afternoon driver hasn't had any problems, bu the morning driver thinks he's a "bad kid" :roll

I think you should call the bus company, and maybe set up a meeting with the driver to find out exactly what J is doing. I also think you need to explain that he was upset because she called him a "bad kid" and that you need to know what's going on.

[Lilac]

I would call the school. I would tell them what the bus driver said. That is rediculous that he would say that and I feel SO bad for J. :( I might also call the bus people and put in a complaint.

[Smidget]

i'd complain. i understand you not wanting problems with the school system, but it is their responsibility to be receptive to your concerns and do something about it. and if they have any decency in them, they'll understand. even explain that you were leery about going to them and why if you think it'll help. that's what i'd do anyway. and i'd also call the bus company and complain.

[zak frost]

Um, yeah....complain.... That is unexceptable. No one would tell my child he is a bad kid. They do bad behavoir, but they are not bad kids.

[WhoserMomma!]

Well, do you want what I would have done or should have done? lol I would let someone know. You don't want that happening to other kids.

[TEF]

Definitely call the school and the bus company! Let us know what happens and good luck!

[Loosey]

Keep in mind as his mother I'd like to go rip her a new one but I am not thinking that is the right answer. :teehee
What would you have done?

Actually this is exactly what I would do! Good god he is 4 and she told him this?? Uh uh no way. :catfight

[fire~n~ice]

I would call and complain also.

[Sofa King]

OMG CANDY!!!On one hand you probably just wanna hug J and and on the other hand you wanna cry....and on the other hand you wanna strangle him. I remember these exact feelings. Of course feeling for the idiot driver are not so paradoxil.

I know policies are different everywhere, but here, the driver has to 'write up' a kid and the notice goes to the principal who in turn may or may not withdraw bus privledges. They investigate first. I would talk to the principal about it. I'd ask if he/she has recieved any warnings or notes about your sons behavior and ask what policy is regarding behavior on the bus and the bus drivers role for discipline or reprimanding students. Sounds to me like the bus driver WAYYYYYYYYYYY overstepped her ethical and legal bounds by saying such things to any student, let alone a 4 year old! :shock

I wonder if J is just trying to be the life of the party and enjoying if the other kids laugh and and stuff? Here, some of the drivers give assigned seats on the bus, so that kids that 'work each other up' aren't together etc.

My point is that there are a meeeeeelion and one stratagies or plans to make the bus ride more acceptable for both him and the driver. Humiliating a 4 year old or yelling or threatening shouldn't be one of those plans.

I'd not let it go though and although driving them in the morning does help for now, it doesn't really help in the long run. I think attempting to make it better will show the kids, both that you back them up and won't let anyone humiliate them, and also that they must follow each drivers rules. The driver is the boss of the bus and some allow loud talking, others don't. BUT they must be safe and if they are fooling around and it makes the bus driver not be safe then that isn't acceptable. If all attempts fail....and the driver continues to use that tone and words, I guess you pretty much have no choice. It's just sad that it's so early in the year for him to be dealing with this. (and YOU! ) :hug

Please let us know how you make out. This is such a tough one!!

[Free Bird]

Wow! That is just a down right mean thign to say to a child.
I would definately complain to the school and the bus company.
Let us know how you make out.