to wonder whose fault this was

[lingle]

Family A has a nanny but she can't drive just now.

Family B mum down the road says she's happy to pick up Family A's kids on Tuesdays.

Family B mum starts to pick up regularly. Nanny sends regular text on Tuesdsays "ok to pick up?" etc.

Family B takes their holiday abroad one week so family B mum doesn't respond to text - is at a wedding abroad. Family B has made vague reference to wedding to mum of Family A over coffee previous week but not in a "so you realise I won't be picking up Tuesday don't you?" kind of way.

No-one picks up kids, school call Family A dad who is very cross with Family B and sends nanny down to school in a taxi.

Jury, verdict please....

[AgentZigzag]

Family B should have made it clearer that the children weren't going to be picked up, and Family As nanny should have been sure they were being picked up.

I can understand why the dad's a bit miffed, but then he's ultimately responsible for his children...

So an all rounder really

[Obiwan]

It sounds like a misunderstanding.

I suppose if I were Family B, and had actually received the nannys text, I'd have made a point of replying so that Family A were aware that there was no chance of the pick up taking place.

[Sassybeast]

Nanny should have used initiative when she received no reply to text and text again or rung mum.
Nanny at fault 'gavel'

[AgentZigzag]

Actually, the children were the ones at school, it was their fault as much as anyones.

[lingle]

Family B did not receive text - old phone package didn't work abroad.

[lingle]

AgentZ is not taking this entirely seriously!

[SoupDragon]

Family B mother made a commitment to collect the A children on Tuesdays. she should have made it clear that she was unavailable that particular week.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

I'd say the nanny!! Yes it should have been clearer BUT u can't ever assume anythin. No response could have meant phone was broken, no signal, a family emergency so couldnt reply etc. nanny should have bothered to check!!!!

[Northernlurkerisbehindyouboo]

I don't think anybody is at fault really. Are you the nanny?

If so - well you could have rung your boss and said 'can I have taxi cash please in case Family B aren't at school because I haevn't heard either way' - and your boss owuld probably have said 'don't be a dafty trosuers!'

Family B should have been clearer - it's the midst of a school term and they've done it every Tuesday to date. Not unreasonable to assume they'd be there this week.

[ajandjjmum]

So OP....which one are you?

[Goldfishshoalsnibblingatmytoes]

If Nanny/Family A thought it was an agreed arrangement they wouldn't have sent text asking if it was being done this week.

Therefore by sending text, they know there's no commitment implied by Family B so therefore why send the text?

To get a response to say yes happy - therefore when no text received in reply, nanny should have known she needed to do something.

[fuzzywuzzy]

Nanny should have rung school when she didn't get a reply to text. Mother A should have asked when mum B mentioned wedding (however vaguely) about school pick up arrangements for that time period.

Ultimate responsibility lies with the parents of the children.

[sleepyhead]

Nanny is at fault. Why bother sending the text if you're just going to assume all is ok?

But it would have been nice of family B to make it a bit more obvious that the lift was off that week.

[AgentZigzag]

I think the OP is Family B, for definite.

[SoldeInvierno]

Maybe family B is fed up with arrangement and thought "that'll teach them"

[AgentZigzag]

That wouldn't be very nice given that the children were left high and dry Solde.

Much easier to say 'Can't do it any more'.

[Obiwan]

I think OP is Family B too

[Shutupanddrive]

I would say its the nannys fault for assuming they were being picked up, especially after having no response to the text

[SoldeInvierno]

Who says they are nice or like that sort of confrontation? some people put up with many inconvenient arrangement out of habit or embarrassment. I am defending it, but it is a possibility.

[SoldeInvierno]

sorry, I meant NOT defendng it

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

Family A is at fault.

[lingle]

Is it time to confess which one I was?

[HecateLarpo]

Well, family A should have asked when family B mentioned the wedding. That would be the first thing I would do!

Nanny, upon not getting a reply to the "ok to pick up" text, should have thought that that meant there might be a problem and planned accordingly. NEVER assume!

Family B should have said that they won't be around.

It's a lack of clear communication all round, imo, but if I had to pick one to put more blame on it would be the nanny for not acting when they got no reply to the text.

[Northernlurkerisbehindyouboo]

YES CONFESS!!!!!