https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 00:17:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2744026 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 17:33:52 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2744026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also super worried about this but my 5yo got on and never looked back! I would just recommend getting to the bus stop early enough for her to meet and chat with the other kids. I emphasized that we would not be getting on with him as we had done for daycare field trips. Our school gives kindergarteners little colored tags you pin on them the first week corresponding to their classroom and buses, which gave me some peace of mind. Good luck! 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743951 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:44:16 +0000 Pancakes 2743951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@merriment: One thing we did that helped was telling her that we'd meet her at school on the first day after putting her on the bus. I also had to walk her onto the bus, just up the steps for the first week or so and after that she was fine. Riding the bus at kindergarten orientation did help her get excited. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743921 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:44:08 +0000 mediagirl 2743921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good thread. I'd like to get my daughter used to / interested in riding the bus. Right now she tells us she absolutely does not want to ride the bus. I'm okay with that since we planned on dropping her off anyways but I'm sure riding the bus would be easier... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743898 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:23:14 +0000 looch 2743898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are parents able to ride the bus the first day? At my son's school, the day before school starts is K orientation and the kids and parents ride the bus together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743893 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:18:26 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2743893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>See if there are any youtube videos on bus safety and kids riding the bus to watch her. Most kids are super excited to ride the school bus I find.</p> <p>If she freaks out then I'm not sure what you'll be able to do, hopefully find a buddy for them. I know our school buddies up older kids with younger ones in the seat so they have a friend, but that takes a bit of time for them to get organized. </p> <p>Does she seem nervous at all? Just try to make it seem normal unless she's excited, and then you can amp up the excitement for her. Perhaps have a treat/stuffed animal/sticker or something special for her ready to go in case the bus is a tricky thing for her in the first couple of days. I'm sure the bus driver will be used to child freakouts and may have tips for you also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743887 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:13:33 +0000 Mamaof2 2743887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@merriment: when you talk about it is she excited or scared?<br /> My DD was sooo excited! At K orientation she hopped right on the bus so we knew she would be fine on day 1 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743863 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:46:15 +0000 winniebee 2743863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The bus goes by our house so we just talk about it every day! I've also figured out which kids from his current school will be on the bus with him next year, so he's excited about that. Who knows how it go in practice, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-kids-for-the-school-bus#post-2743854 Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:31:26 +0000 merriment 2743854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD will be starting kindergarten in the fall! Hooray! She will be taking the bus which is both exciting and terrifying (for me). I'm looking for ideas to help DD prep. We've been reading books, and play "riding the bus" and the school will have a bus orientation. Any other ideas?? Am I being concerned for no reason? I envision having a clinging sobbing kid who refuses to set foot on the bus without me...<br /> (bonus question: how do you deal with a clinging, sobbing kid who refuses to set foot on the bus without you?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2728275 Mon, 24 Apr 2017 12:08:09 +0000 PawPrints 2728275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally fine to take baby on the bus without a carseat. Carrier or stroller both work fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2728232 Mon, 24 Apr 2017 11:03:22 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2728232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thanks ladies!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726883 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 14:03:11 +0000 KT326 2726883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We have some pretty strict seat belt and carseat laws! Kids have to be in a booster until 8 years old or 4'9". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726882 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 14:01:48 +0000 Foodnerd81 2726882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: oh wow, under 8? That is surprising (but not bad, in my opinion). But yes now that @MrsBucky: mentions it o do remember Uber's have the imme go, forward facing only seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726877 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:53:10 +0000 KT326 2726877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBucky: good to know! I've never used it, just heard of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726874 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:52:29 +0000 KT326 2726874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I think California is one of the few states that requires an appropriate car seat for children under 8 in a taxi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726851 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:26:03 +0000 Foodnerd81 2726851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I avoided taxis unless I had the car seat with me (like attached to the stroller) anyway. Buses I did like other people said, either the stroller or I wore her in the carrier. I felt ok with buses since they never go fast and are so big. I personally wouldn't take a taxi without a car seat even though it is legal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726792 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 12:09:59 +0000 MrsBucky 2726792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I believe uber baby car seats are all forward facing, so I don't think it would work for an infant, fwiw. I always found installing He infant seat to be easy in taxis. It's the convertibles that are impossible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726751 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 11:34:17 +0000 lioneyes 2726751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took the bus all the time when DS was an infant. He would be in the carrier, and you can also do the carrier in taxis (they are exempt from the car seat rule). When he got bigger (and still) we use the umbrella stroller; he sits in it, buckled in with the brake on. On a crowded bus it's annoying, but usually is ok, and I always have the option of collapsing it but it never seems worth it for a short trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726740 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 11:20:02 +0000 KT326 2726740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depending on where she is staying, walking may be the easiest. </p> <p>This is from the Muni website: </p> <p>Strollers:</p> <p>Collapsible strollers are allowed on all Muni buses. Passengers with strollers may request the use of the lift/ramp and may leave strollers in the open position as long as the stroller is under their control and the wheel brake is set. Children are allowed to ride in their stroller. We recommend that the child’s seat belt be fastened. Strollers may not block the wheelchair securement areas or interfere with passenger movement.</p> <p>Also, UberX can provide a car with a carseat for a $10 surcharge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726660 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:03:58 +0000 catlady 2726660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The easiest thing is to just wear the baby in a carrier. This is particularly good during busy times, when it would be hard/impossible to get a stroller on board a busy train or bus. However, I do use the stroller on weekends when public transit is less busy and generally you can roll your stroller onto a train and even a bus if there is room (I assume this is the same in SF as it is here in Boston). I avoid cabs completely but yes, you can definitely install a carseat in one if you have to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726645 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:39:26 +0000 Anagram 2726645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On the bus, you can't install a car seat. I don't ride the bus very frequently but I have a handle of times with the kids when they were under 1 and I just held them.</p> <p>At her kid's age, the bucket seat with a snapNgo or other lightweight stroller that the bucket seat attaches to is her best bet. I have taken taxis and ubers with the bucket seat and it was no problem. I didn't use the base, just did the seat belt through the loop quick installation and popped the stroller into the trunk. But she should make sure she can do it herself, and quickly, because they aren't going to help at all.</p> <p>Also, in SF...where will she be staying? I feel like public transportation + walking is enough to not really need the carseat much. We went there when LO1 was about 1 year old and once we were in the city, I don't recall needing the car seat. I think we walked, took the bus, or took the cable cars around town since we were mainly going to touristy sites and early dinners. We also rented bikes with a childseat to bike across the golden gate bridge to the lookout point and into Sauselito one day. But we mostly walked! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726643 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:39:06 +0000 Iced Tea 2726643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, most buses will not have seat belts. People wear or carry the baby, or keep the baby strapped in the infant seat (not installed). If you are using a stroller, then you'll likely be required to fold the stroller before boarding the bus. It seems scary, perhaps, but buses are statistically much less likely than cars to be involved in a crash. </p> <p>For taxis, some cities exempt the car seat requirement (but I can't recommend this, given the safety hazard). Personally, we avoided using a taxi except from the airport into the city. It's possible, but can be frustrating, to install a car seat in a taxi. There may also be a family-friendly car service (with car seats included) you can call instead of a taxi, though this would mean wondering if the seat was clean, safe, and correctly installed, I bet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/public-transit-with-an-infant#post-2726633 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:26:48 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2726633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend is visiting San Francisco soon with her infant and asked what to do about cabs/busses. DS is 6 months, so obviously has to be in a car seat still...how does that work? Do you just lug your seat with you and install it in every vehicle? How does the bus work?</p> <p>She asked me because we visit NYC a lot, but during that infant stage we didn't really take public transit, so I don't have an answer for her! We live in Dallas which is VERY car dependent, so she's never used any form of public transit with her son. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250731 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 05:44:47 +0000 Snowybreeze 2250731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad the topic started, driving it is! And just thought of 2017 trip, even with the kids being 4 and 2, and the buses with no belts on a six hour bumpy ride isn't ideal. We got the idea to rent a private van with our own driver instead!<br /> Thanks for the input everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250695 Fri, 31 Jul 2015 02:47:22 +0000 regberadaisy 2250695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah...without even a lap belt I don't think I would take my kids on the bus for long distances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250436 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:53:33 +0000 Foodnerd81 2250436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowybreeze: I'd still rather take a 4 and 2 year old on a bus without car seats than a 3 month old and 2 year old. 3 months is so tiny! 4 years seems huge to me since I just have a newly 2 year old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250431 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:50:32 +0000 Snowybreeze 2250431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I think we are definitely leaning more towards just driving now. I feel safer that way and we can bring a lot more with us, including our awesome new joovy stroller, yay :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250428 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:47:11 +0000 Snowybreeze 2250428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@foodnerd81: haha, DD will be 4 and DS will be 2, not that much bigger!</p> <p>@regberadaisy: I used to take Peter pan buses a lot,l and don't remember belts but it's been a while, maybe I just never noticed them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250427 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:46:21 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2250427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never been on a bus with belts before.<br /> Honestly I wouldn't feel comfortable doing long distance on a bus with an unrestrained three month old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250423 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:41:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2250423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I used to take greyhound and bolt bus from NYC to boston and I don't remember ever seeing belts at all. And they went pretty fast on the highway. Maybe other bus lines are different? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buses-what-do-people-do-with-the-kids#post-2250419 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 19:35:16 +0000 regberadaisy 2250419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I would think long distance busses would at least have a belt that goes around your stomach? There's a version that works with vehicles that only have a lap belt. </p>