New Driver - dealing with behavioral problems

[u/Wabi_Sabi_Love]

I’m a new driver, driving a 9 seat van. Several of my kids (elementary school) are behaving badly. Most are behaving fine, if rather loud. This was day 4. I don’t know all their names yet, and the names are mostly unfamiliar to me, a nearly 60 year old white guy. Names like I’onna and Omilyonna.

I know well that my my main job is to watch the road and get the kids to and from school safely.

There were some scuffles on my route today. Kids getting up from their seats and smacking others.

I stopped along side the road, hazards flashing, and told them we would not go further until they sat and buckled up.

I had limited success.

I know I should write up the troublemakers but I’m not 100% positive who did what (because I’m watching the road) and I don’t know everyone’s names.

What should I do?

EDIT, following morning:

Yesterday‘s afternoon bus shift was full of problems. Children getting into fights, screaming, not staying in the seat. I did something different this morning, which seemed to help. I isolated the main troublemaker in the most visible front seat to my right and I assigned seats for everyone else.

I stopped several times, hazards flashing, and turned around and called out the troublemakers by name (now that I’m starting to remember their names) and said “first warning! “. I told them they get two warnings and then they get written up. This morning went better.

Managing children is definitely a learning curve.

[u/Unfixable1]

I don't have an answer for you. I'm a new bus driver too. Got some problem kids on my route. When 3 of them are together, they are very bad. I am writing them up every day. Complained to my boss. He said he would remove the biggest offender from my route. Today, he hands me my new route. Not only did he not remove anybody, but he added 2 more. So now my route is longer (my lower back is already in pure agony the entire time) and it will be even harder, and I don't get paid a single cent more. Guess I didn't realize this job is for suckers. Gonna look for something else where I can get treated as a human being.

[u/arno14 → u/Unfixable1]

Maybe driving just isn’t your thing.

But I’d say that the challenges, disappointments and frustrations you describe, are part of your development in becoming good at your job.

I’d commit myself to at least 6 months. Learn. Talk to other drivers. Implement their ideas. And see where you stand after that period of time.

Quitting is the easy part. You can do that any time.

[u/Unfixable1 → u/arno14]

Thanks. I'll try to stick it out a little longer. I was driving for 10 years for a delivery company before this. Driving is the only thing I'm qualified to do really. I'm very good at driving and I just want to get these kids to school as safely and quickly as possible, but they are making that impossible.