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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to charge another mum for school run help?

202 replies

Muddlingthroughwith2 · 15/05/2026 15:15

Am I being unreasonable to only offer to help another mum out with school logistics if they can pay me something? And if not unreasonable what would you charge a friend?

situation: they will struggle with getting child to school due to work, looking for options including a nanny, but of course they may not be able to drive; school breakfast club may not even be early enough start time for their day, yes - going to same school as ours, I have a car seat space. It would be 1 mile and 10 minutes extra on my journey minimum. It would save them 30-40 mins round journey, and if they can’t get or don’t use breakfast club it would save them £8.50 a day. They could perhaps drop off at ours to save diversion for me but would still be 50% more kids to navigate for me.

do I charge and if so what? Or charge in “wine” so it’s not a business relationship 😆

FYI they haven’t asked and I haven’t offered but I know it’s going to be difficult but before I offer to help do I make sure I don’t start on a back foot of enabling 7 years of free childcare!

OP posts:
Rhaidimiddim · 15/05/2026 15:33

I would not offer.

They have made choices about where they live, where they send their DC to school and where they work. They will be thinking about the logistics, and may (or may not) have you on their radar as a solution. Let them work it out and let them come to you, if they think it appropriate.

Personally, I would not want to get into an arrangement like this, where my availability to do the school run was key to someone else's worklife.

itsmeits · 15/05/2026 15:24

I helped a school mum out a few years ago due to her starting work at 7am and no clubs avaliable that early.

She paid me in bread, milk, and cereal. She also dropped off her DD with me. I had her DD for 2 hours atleast 3 days a week. I had no issue with it as it didn't affect our route - she came dressed just no fed.

Have an upfront convo with them about how it would work and what you think is fair.

Edit to say I very rarely did school pick up maybe once every few months if she picked up some OT