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Original poster

Teen DS has broken down on the motorway- can you keep me company?

51 replies

AnotherAppleThief · 31/12/2022 03:50

He's fine, the police are with him as his car is in a live lane but I won't rest until he's home. They are just waiting for recovery.

Absolutely pooped my self when the phone rang in the middle of the night, parents of teens will understand that fear!

Anyone awake?

OP posts:
sashh · 31/12/2022 03:53

Hiya, I'm awake.

I'm not a parent but calls in the early hours are rarely good news so I understand that feeling of, 'Oh no'.

Have you got a cup of tea?

Original poster
AnotherAppleThief · 31/12/2022 03:57

I've got a cup of tea, a blanket on the sofa and the dog to cuddle!

Ds is soaked though! It's raining bless him.

OP posts:
sashh · 31/12/2022 03:58

How far away is he? Make sure there is hot water for a bath when he gets back, and give him a huge hug.

Original poster
AnotherAppleThief · 31/12/2022 04:00

His not far at all, pretty much at our junction. He's a worrier too so will be a bit stressed when he gets in. Me too but I'm being ultra laid back to keep him calm.

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 31/12/2022 04:04

All best @AnotherAppleThief if the police are there he will be fine , albeit possibly a bit wet and cold. Kettle on and dry clothes for when he gets back. All best to you and DS

sashh · 31/12/2022 04:04

I know this doesn't help but it is a life skill to know what to do in a break down.

DrMarciaFieldstone · 31/12/2022 04:07

Oh bless him, I was in the same boat this year with DC in the back and had to pretend to be fine but was so anxious too. Agree with PP that it’s a life skill, oddly don’t worry about it happening again now. The police are there so that’s reassuring, hope it’s not too long for you both.

sittingonacornflake · 31/12/2022 04:10

Oh that sounds stressful! Hopefully recovery doesn't take too long.

Cantseethewindows · 31/12/2022 04:15

Oh no, poor kid! Might the police have rescue blankets to keep him warm? It's good that they're there, it means he's safe - breaking down in a live lane is crap-your-pants scary!

Just sharing this image to hopefully make you smile. In my bed there are currently: DH, DS(4), two dolls, a teddy bear, a comforter and the cat. And me, awake because other DS woke up needing a cuddle.

Hope you have your boy home with you soon!

ChimbarasiKotapaxi · 31/12/2022 04:16

Hand hold here OP Sounds as though you are 'getting it right' Glad the police are there and hope he will be back home soon Sending thoughts

Mummyoflittledragon · 31/12/2022 04:38

I am glad your ds has the police with him. He will be fine. A bit of a shock for you, I can imagine.

Original poster
AnotherAppleThief · 31/12/2022 04:47

He's home, tired and fed up. We're just going to bed and will sort everything out in the morning. His car had to be towed as won't even start, electrical fault we think. There was a burning smell so feeling thankful that things weren't worse.

OP posts:
PlentyOFool · 31/12/2022 05:04

Oh good. Very stressy altogether, but a good outcome nonetheless!

sashh · 31/12/2022 05:11

Glad he is home, sleep well.

Mummyoflittledragon · 31/12/2022 06:27

That’s great news. Glad he’s ok. 😊

SpentDandelion · 31/12/2022 06:36

Solidarity OP,
My son used to ride a small motorbike for work, he was only 17, one evening he was late home, l was sick with worry, then l had a knock on the door and through the glass saw a man wearing a bright yellow hi viz vest, my legs went to jelly thinking it was the road traffic police, it turned out to be the Tesco dot com driver, l literally cried with relief. My son has since passed his test and now drives a car, but you still worry.
Glad your son is ok.

RambamThankyouMam · 31/12/2022 07:26

sashh · 31/12/2022 04:04

I know this doesn't help but it is a life skill to know what to do in a break down.

He clearly did if he called the police and got himself to safety.

Lovelycupofcoffee · 31/12/2022 07:38

You are not alone on this one . My son passed his test recently and I can’t sleep until he’s back in the house at night. He was out with mates last night and didn’t come in until 2 this morning. It opens up a whole new world of worrying about them.

LlynTegid · 31/12/2022 07:47

Glad he has got home and rescued OK. Perhaps for your health if no-one else, evening trips should only be if needed for work from him for a while.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 31/12/2022 07:49

sashh · 31/12/2022 04:04

I know this doesn't help but it is a life skill to know what to do in a break down.

He did know what to do. He rang the police and got home safely.

Campervangirl · 31/12/2022 07:54

Ahh bless him, sounds like he coped though and the fact that he was wet suggests he had the sense to get out of the car and wait on the verge.
Breaking down on the motorway is pretty scary.

Original poster
AnotherAppleThief · 31/12/2022 08:10

Urgh, I've had to get up again for the dog. I'm very tired.

Yes he did get out the car and the police were excellent with him, very reassuring and helpful. They arrange recovery due to the danger of where he was. RAC had given an approximate time of 4-5 hours!

He's gutted he's car less now, welcome to the world of being an adult. It sucks. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
AnotherAppleThief · 31/12/2022 08:14

LlynTegid · 31/12/2022 07:47

Glad he has got home and rescued OK. Perhaps for your health if no-one else, evening trips should only be if needed for work from him for a while.

Haha I cannot possibly imagine telling my adult son he cannot go out and about as he pleases. He's home from uni at the moment so making the most of seeing friends here and spreading his wings. He's a good lad who doesn't cause me any problems (on purpose 😉)

OP posts:
gogohmm · 31/12/2022 08:18

@AnotherAppleThief

Hopefully he'll learn that he should put a waterproof jacket in his car (plus other standby emergency equipment!)

Can happen to any of us.

Augend23 · 31/12/2022 08:22

I'm so glad he's home.

I have called the police a lot of times for dangers on motorways. One time fairly recently a band was stuck in the live lane on a smart motorway as there was no hard shoulder. I rang 999, thinking sometime would already have called it in (like the van driver) but no one had. They sent the police to close the lane.

I'm really glad the police came and sorted things for your DS. The above really reminded me of how much the bystander effect is definitely a thing and how we should always make sure we call the police if we see something like that, and not just assume it's sorted.

I also remember learning about the little waymarkers with numbers on that are blue and red and that they tell the police exactly where you are. I've now been able to use those when I've had to call the police to get them an exact location.

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