Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To get angry with school children on the bus?

14 replies

CherryPie18 · 12/09/2018 18:02

I am 33 weeks pregnant and without a car for a few weeks meaning I’m having to get the bus to work at the moment.

I get on at one of the first stops so always get a seat right at the front, however the more and more school children that get on it means they end up standing. None of them move towards the back, unless the bus driver really shouts. This means when I have to get off I literally have to shove and squeeze my way through, this morning I was elbowed in the stomach due to the squeeze and yesterday was hit by a PE bag.

I know it sounds as though I am being dramatic but I am dreading it every morning as there really is so many children that use this bus and none of them seem to have any awareness for what’s going on around them. I don’t want to have to ask the bus driver each morning to ask people to move back as I feel like it’s making a scene! I have asked on numerous occasions if they’d mind getting off, for me to get off and then they can get back on, or if they could move but they just pretend they can’t hear or stare blankly!

OP posts:

Finfintytint · 12/09/2018 18:07

Can you get an earlier or later bus to avoid the crush?

PotteringAlong · 12/09/2018 18:08

Get an earlier bus?

spanieleyes · 12/09/2018 18:11

Why do you continue to sit right at the front? if the bus is empty when you get on, sit near the door.

PainSnail · 12/09/2018 18:11

If they're in uniform, then email the school. We sometimes had lessons on bus etiquette worked into assembly if other passengers had felt the need to email the head

Original poster

CherryPie18 · 12/09/2018 18:12

Unfortunately not, the only other bus before is an hour before, meaning I’d have to get up at 4.30am (not great when I’m only getting around 4 hours sleep a night as it is) and even then I’d be hanging around waiting to get into my workplace, I have to wait for a boss to get there before I can get in and our office is middle of nowhere so nowhere to wait and have a coffee etc! I guess it’s only another 4 weeks of this so will have to deal with it for now!

OP posts:

Winterfellismyhome · 12/09/2018 18:12

Get off at the front doors?

Original poster

CherryPie18 · 12/09/2018 18:13

@spanieleyes I sit right at the front, the closest seat there is to the door. We don’t have doors in the middle of the vehicle like some buses do

OP posts:

mamansnet · 12/09/2018 18:14

Could you ask your boss to let you start later and get a meter bus? Otherwise start your maternity early

Original poster

CherryPie18 · 12/09/2018 18:15

@mamansnet That’s a good idea actually I’m sure if I suggest that she won’t mind for a few weeks! Thank you!

OP posts:

Sleepyblueocean · 12/09/2018 18:16

I would speak to the driver. School kids always do this. They are in their own world and don't think.

blueskiesandforests · 12/09/2018 18:21

They won't have noticed that you're pregnant - teens tend to be very willing to help if they know you're pregnant, yet deeply self absorbed.

I was teaching teens until I was 36 weeks pregnant with dc1, on the 3rd floor of the school building without a lift. Walking down the stairs at change of lesson with 300 or so rushing, shouting, pushing teens was terrifying - til one day a boy from my bottom set year 10 yelled "it Muppets, Miss is pregnant, watch yerseves!" At which point the seas parted, kids took my bags and carried them for me, and every day from then on I had space and helpers to get up and down the stairs

You need to find your voice and loudly ask them to please give you some room to get out because you're pregnant. Smile and thank them too - teens like that too.

Good luck

mamansnet · 12/09/2018 18:22

Hope it works! She'd probably rather have you come in late than start your maternity leave early.

I do sympathise re the kids. It's not the same, but I remember getting in a packed train the day before my planned Caesarian and had to ask loudly if ANYBODY was willing to give their seat to a 9 month pregnant woman. The one person to offer me their seat was also pregnant, although not 9 months. I despair of people sometimes!

Original poster

CherryPie18 · 12/09/2018 18:25

Thanks everyone for your help! Makes me feel like I’m not as dramatic as I thought. It makes me laugh how if there’s the odd seat spare, school kids would rather stand for 40 minutes than have to sit next to someone they don’t know

OP posts:

0lgaDaPolga · 12/09/2018 19:29

I had this worry in my last pregnancy. The bus I got was already full when I got on and no one would move down and I usually had to stand as I couldn’t get anywhere near the seats to ask for one. Got elbowed in the stomach several times, hit with bags etc. Very stressful for you. Definitely see if you can start work a little later. Hopefully your boss will be accommodating if you explain why

Flip