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

Don't blame the child for the parent's behaviour. Go and introduce yourself to them, find out why they can't do the morning drop offs - as others have said, maybe they are trying to get the child to be more independent but it's backfired. They assume you are ok with the arrangement because you've said nothing so far.

I voted YABU, not because I would be fine with it, but because your solution was to tell the child, when it would be better to tell the parent. I feel a bit sorry for the boy, but I can’t imagine any boy I know that age preferring to walk to school with some younger children and their mum rather than just on their own, so I don’t really get it unless he’s being pressured by his mum? In which case why isn’t she walking him?

I couldn't agree more.

It’s not a big deal you aren’t responsible for him. I mean it’s a road and he is big enough to walk to school on his own.

This whole thread is baffling.

Year 6 kids are allowed to walk alone. I personally wouldn't allow it but the reality is they do.

Said child is walking the same way you are, and is friends with your child. I used to watch out for all and any kids on the school run. The parents have clearly said stay close to you because they want to give the child a bit of freedom, but feel better there are parents going the same way at the same time.

This whole thing is a none issue. He's walking there at the same time as you are. You can't police how far away from you someone walks.

And all the nasty people calling the the parents in the comments for being safety conscious, or saying to drive 🤮 vile.

I suggest you use some logic.

The OP hasn't agreed to anything and therefore isn't remotely responsible for this child.

He's just walking along with them.

Oh for goodness sake! What responsibility do you think it takes to allow a 10/11 yr old to walk with you ?! Get over yourself! He's allowed to walk to school alone, you are all going to same school at the same time so no ... You can't tell him he's not allowed to walk to school at the same time as you!

I fail to see what you think is going to go wrong that is going to affect you. He's a bit old that he's likely to fall over or hurt himself but even if he did.... I've had a lad in year 7 fall off his bike in the opposite direction..
Guess what? I stopped and helped cos that's what normal people do.... He wasn't "my responsibility" but normal people can help others and even being in the company of others without getting their knickers in a twist!!

It's not. The tagging along is NOT the issue.
It's the fact that said child had claimed to OP's older child that his mother has said he has to walk with OP's family for safety (NB the veracity of this is currently under dispute) but the mother has not ever spoken to OP, and least of all to ask, 'Is it OK if you can keep an eye on my son morning on the walk to school.'
OP has two children, one quite young, and it seems that she doesn't feel that she can be responsible for an extra child who's mother MAY be concerned for their safety en route.
OP has said nothing to suggest that she would have an issue with a child out independently with their parent's permission and trust, walking along with them.

It feels so mean not letting him tag along, poor child.

Unless he’s a nuisance? If the school allows pupils to walk alone at that age then him tagging along doesn’t make him your responsibility.

I wish people would be kinder to each other. He may be able to repay your kindness in later years.

Yeah full of people slagging on the kids mother for something she may not have even said

Your reaction to this is odd.

You’re not responsible for him. In the eyes of the law, a person is only responsible for themselves. We can be responsible to our child - providing them with a coat, but we cannot be responsible if child refuses to wear said coat.

Kid is walking alongside because probably nervous walking alone. Alongside. Feeling safe with you. Nice. Unless they’re a problematic child, what’s the problem? Even then, it’s public, what on can you do?

I would feel annoyed at the expectation, especially if you have no relationship with them at all. However, I’d allow it if my children got on with the child. I don’t think you should say anything about it to the child; always the parents.

Agree. What the hell is the world coming to
when this is considered a problem.

Apologies, I didn't realise I'd wandered into a court hearing. I thought it was just a mumsnet thread.

Precisely. No proof

Just drive then.

Please use logic and reasoning.

In normal circumstances, it would be unlikely for OP to have to help the child if he was run over, because their contact time would be extremely low. She would very rarely see the child, if ever.

The fact that the child is walking with OP means that she is effectively responsible for the child the whole time, which dramatically increases the likelihood that she would be directly responsible for him if something bad happened.

Yes, I agree. It’s very disturbing all round, and actually quite upsetting.

OP's heard words to this effect via the kids. Is the boy relaying faithfully or exaggerating or getting mixed up? No idea.
Maybe the mum said casually, 'Try to cross with them when you get to the big road.' Or at the other extreme maybe she said, 'You must stick with that family all the way, every time, as it's really dangerous and they'll keep you safe.' Who knows?
As I've said, I'd check in with the mum directly.
Personally, if I was genuinely worried about my kid walking to school, I'd either walk them myself, get a family member to, or ask someone if they didn't mind keeping an eye on them.

tech he doesn’t. Op does as he waits and walks with her

I have to say I would lean into this. Y6 is plenty old enough to walk to school alone.

Let the Y6 child take your Y4 while you concentrate on the younger child

I’d talk to the parents.

I would say although you don’t mind the child walking along with you sometimes, you aren’t taking responsibility for him in anyway.

If they think he can’t be trusted to walk alone, then yes they should take him.

I would maybe say you’d prefer he didn’t walk with you always because you like to have the time with your own children.

You have no proof whatsoever she's actually said or expects this though

Now I've never done the walking to school scenario myself but I do see lots of parents doing it. Much of the time it's 2 mins walking along chatting with a few kids. Do you not have friends to chat to en route?