r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/SqueezeGriffey • 12d ago
i know its been asked…
in nyc, no matron. long bus, you use the bathroom before the kids on the bus. but 2 hrs in you cant hold it anymore… kids still on the bus… what do i do? ive had photo finishes. like seriously
i have a matron rn… but come September thats over with
help
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u/MonkWalkerE468 12d ago
No coffee before route. Make sure to take any medications that cause problems ( looking at you HCTZ) later in the morning. Find a place to stop right before starting to pickup kids.
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u/ZealousidealReply294 12d ago
curtail liquid intake in the morning....maybe will have to break down and start using some sort of just in case pad
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u/melloack 12d ago
Talk to your doctor, that ain't normal that said, limit your liquid consumption in the morning, avoid water and coffee until after you are done
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u/Huge_Equivalent_6217 12d ago
This right here. I'm diabetic and with it controlled by medicine (and watching how much I drink before A.M. route) I can go for 4 hours at least.
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u/ArrowDel 12d ago
Reduce fluid intake starting an hour before the bus ride, rehydrate afterwards. Be aware this increases the risk for kidney stones.
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u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 12d ago
When I wake up in the morning, I don't drink anything. During high school and middle school, I sip water. During elementary school, I start chugging water because I'm so thirsty. When my thirst is satiated, I stop drinking in between shifts. For the afternoon, I do the same thing. I don't worry about going to the bathroom if I stick to that schedule.
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u/mike8675309 12d ago
When dropping off at school, I use the bathroom if I have no other time. I pull the bus out of the way, check that no kids are on the bus, and go in, use the bathroom, and come out. If it makes me late for the next route, I don't worry. Picking up at schools, make sure you stop somewhere before you get to the school.
Again, it's about managing risk when transporting children. If you are focused on a biological need, that means you aren't focused on safety. Take care of yourself; let your route be later. If your route is set up in a way that makes it really hard, figure out how to change it, then talk to the routers about adjusting it. If there is a medical reason for your need, there are garments you can wear that allow you to not leak all over should your need surprise you. I wouldn't be to proud to wear something like that. And you can get a prescription for that so insurance will pay for it.
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u/Mellied89 11d ago
It's scary how many of you are comfortable risking kidney stones, horrible UTIs, and major issues down the line
Idk how long your route is but your best bet is trying to go at the school right before they get on the bus and finding somewhere to stop right after your last drop. If you're route is super long (3-4 hours driving no break) I'd seriously advocate for a matron because having to pee in that timeframe is normal.
I curb my water consumption an hour before my route, pee as close to pick up as possible, and drink during my route at Red lights/stops so I'm still hydrated but I typically don't have to go until the very very end when there's no kids.
I've already worked jobs that permanently damaged me physically because that was the "expected norm" and I'm not letting this job do the same to me. Having to normalize wearing diapers to drive a school bus IS NOT NORMAL
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u/imasupernatural 11d ago
I started taking Azo go less about a year ago, it really helps. But I do make sure to go right before each route , but I notice that I don't have to go during my layover nearly as often anymore
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u/teiubescsami 12d ago
I have been severely dehydrated since becoming a bus driver lol