AIBU to tell my neighbour’s Year 6 child to stop walking to school with us?

I mean to me it doesn’t sound like the parents know what’s going on. Sounds like they’ve given their child a bit of responsibility to walk themselves with it being last year of primary in preparation for starting secondary school next year, and the child is tagging along for company. If you feel uncomfortable feeling like you are responsible for him maybe knock on the door speak to the parents and just tell them how lovely it’s been having him join you on the school run, you just wanted to introduce yourself and make sure that they know that you won’t always be walking to school. The parents are prob unaware.

For heaven’s sake talk to the parents, not the child.

People are wild ! He would be walking that way even if you wernt ! I’d take what he said about his mam
with a pinch of salt , he’s year 6 so what if she’s sat at home with a cuppa honestly , in year 6 I let my kids walk to school to prepare them for secondary school

my son had a child in his class who tagged along with us I didn’t mind at all he was polite and chatty , on the way home I’d watch him across the road till he was safe in his house not because I was asked to but because I’m a mother myself

what a weird spiteful world it is these days

Yes, that was my point. The fact that OP would have to stop the child and help him if an emergency happened means that she is responsible. Not legally responsible, but morally and ethically.

No, stopping to help would be the action of any normal human being who happened to be in the vicinity
Op would be no more “responsible” than any other passerby.
What sort of life do you lead?

@KilkennyCats Op would presumably stop to help this child if he got into trouble, in common with any normal human being?

Yes, that was my point. The fact that OP would have to stop the child and help him if an emergency happened means that she is responsible. Not legally responsible, but morally and ethically.

That doesn’t mean she’d bear any actual responsibility at all.

Having to help someone in an emergency means you are responsible for them. That's what "responsible" means.

And as I already suggested, the fact that person A is not legally responsible for child B is irrelevant. On a moral and ethical level, we have to stop and help children who need help.

What are you on about? Op would presumably stop to help this child if he got into trouble, in common with any normal human being?
That doesn’t mean she’d bear any actual responsibility at all.

If you don’t mind me saying, I find your patronising posts exhorting people to use their common sense, think about things for 10 seconds, etc. quite jarring when you’re clearly failing to do this yourself before posting.

Ah, sure. Nothing has been agreed with the parents. So that means OP is not responsible, and therefore, if the child was run over by a car, OP would be able to simply walk on and do nothing, right?

Please think about that for 10 seconds.

Same for @TicklishReader

I like to chat to my own kids walking to school i wouldn’t want someone else interfering in my routine and conversations to be honest

Talk to the parents? Don't say that to the child they will wonder what they've done wrong , I understand it's not your responsibility but they are still just a child and they're just doing what their parents said to do, if you aren't happy with that then go and speak to them.

Exactly this.

So will/when will you talk to the mum at school collection . Or knock on her door and chat

I don't understand what you'd even say to the child - like forbid them to walk near you on a public road? You sound ridiculous.

You need to speak to the mum. can't believe anyone struggles to work this kind of thing out for themselves

dont say anything to the child, it’s not his fault and you don’t know if his mum actually said that, she may have said stay near people that are going towards your school and not necessarily to walk specifically with you. Your words will have an impact on this kid if you say anything, he’ll remember if when he grows up. It’s not any bother for you as ur walking towards school, so let him tag along just don’t feel you are responsible for him.

Oh I agree. I think OP is overreacting.
The school route is the same route for OP and her new wee friend, her children like this child. I don’t see the issue. I don’t believe his parents told him to wait for OP to walk with her.
Some children are social chatterbox types.

The least the other parent could do is to have the courtesy to approach you and ask if it's alright if my child tags along with you and your children to school.

However as that courtesy isn't earned, if your own children are off for the day for whatever reason, or you decide to change your routine and go to school earlier/later, then I wouldn't reciprocate that non-existent courtesy, and I wouldn't let the other child/parent know of any change in your plans - as no agreement has been set in place in the first instance if anything of this nature arises.

But what’s to stop him following alongside op and her kids (his friend)? It’s a public road and they’re all going in the same direction, to the same destination.
Imagine creating a scene where a young child had to cross the street / lag behind / speed up so he wasn’t walking within your sacred sphere?
Nobody normal would even consider it.

I did. The child said his parents said he could follow alongside OP. Children talk shite to get what they want.

I know. 😁 To be fair, though, so far it's a 50/50 (or thereabouts) split on this.

Imagine being 10 and having a grown adult tell you that you can't walk alongside en route to school.

That would be an awful thing to do. In my opinion, of course.

most people possibly, most posters on MN literally do 😂

We are talking about a forum where posters are ready to call social services (good luck with that) if teenagers are left alone for one night 😂

It's not 'concerning' at all as most people don't live their lives thinking of every little f*ing thing that can go wrong.

You sound very mean, OP.
Obviously he's not your responsibility: anyone with sense knows that.

There's no need to knock on anyone's door as it is a given that he's not your responsibility.
Though in the unlikely event he got into trouble you'd want to help? Like a semi-decent adult?

I can't believe anyone would seriously suggest talking to the child about this.
If anybody it's the parents. Not that I'd bother.

Not something I would facilitate tbh. Plus I liked to walk to school with my own kids, have our own chats and experiences. I’m not down for parenting other peoples kids cos they have lazy arse parents. Absolutely not. I would be knocking on that child’s door and letting them know he wouldn’t be walking with us again.

I really don't see the problem unless Year 6 child is badly behaved or annoys your kids. He is not your responsibility and he's tagging along on the same - presumably public - route to school.

If there would be an accident or something with a neighbour's child on the way to school you would presumably intervene/offer help if you witnessed it regardless if the child was walking with you or behind or in front or if you were on speaking terms with the kids parents.

Leaving earlier or later just to avoid him is utterly pathetic.

Don’t do this, I’m guessing the poster didn’t even bother to read your posts.