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Original poster

My DC have never asked for a lift to the Airport..

144 replies

Pebblepoppy · 14/10/2025 09:03

We live within 1.5 hours of several major airports. When I go, I either drive (and pay extortionate parking charges) or go by public transport, which is also pretty straightforward, and cheaper if I'm travelling alone.

Most of my friends seem to be regularly doing airport runs for their adult children, often in the early hours.

I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, if I was asked, or it was necessary, but it's occurred to me mine have never asked.

Hopefully that's because they prefer to be independent, rather than they don't feel they could...?

OP posts:
3luckystars · 14/10/2025 09:04

Are they actually flying anywhere ?

Danioyellow · 14/10/2025 09:05

What a weird thread. What are you asking?

Beamur · 14/10/2025 09:06

Hopefully that's because they prefer to be independent, rather than they don't feel they could...?

You're probably the best judge of that.

InAHammock · 14/10/2025 09:06

I don’t think I’ve ever asked anyone for a lift to the airport, ever. I find the idea of an adult getting another exult to drive them for over an hour to an airport in the early hours, unless in an emergency, pretty weird. DS and I got a 2 am Aircoach last time we had an early flight.

Delatron · 14/10/2025 09:07

Im trying to unpick this.! Do you feel guilty for not offering? They clearly are fine getting a taxi or however else they get back.

Some parents love running around after even their adult children. My parents live about 20 mins from the local airport. I always made my own way home!

Delatron · 14/10/2025 09:07

I would also feel bad making parents do a 3 hour at least round trip in the middle of the night!

ARichtGoodDram · 14/10/2025 09:08

Hopefully that's because they prefer to be independent, rather than they don't feel they could...?

There's only one way to find out if you're not sure.

We've never done an airport run either, but that's because a local taxi company have offered a £15 special rate for as long as I can remember, plus taxis can drop off right outside the terminal building, whereas the normal drop off point is quite a walk away (and it now costs £8 to use).

Original poster
Pebblepoppy · 14/10/2025 09:08

3luckystars · 14/10/2025 09:04

Are they actually flying anywhere ?

Yes, they go on fairly regular tips with friends and GFs, but always sort it out without involving me.

OP posts:
user1471538275 · 14/10/2025 09:10

Is it because you are unreliable, unapproachable or you have taught them early on in their lives that you are not there for them?

I would never ask my mother for a lift anywhere because of the above.

Lifestooshort71 · 14/10/2025 09:15

I think the obvious answer is that you've produced children who are excellent at adulting and mine are the same. It's got nothing to do with reliability etc etc, but all to do with sorting themselves out as responsible adults. I'm sure they know that, in a proper emergency, you'd be there for them.

bruffin · 14/10/2025 09:16

Dh gives lifts to airport sometimes , but ds has also taken us to the airport its reciprical

pizzaHeart · 14/10/2025 09:17

It’s good that they are independent and sorting it out themselves but do they ever ask about help/favours? If not I would be worried that you give away the vibe of not supportive parent or you tend to comment judgmentally about their life choices or both. I didn’t like to ask parents for lifts or bother them or inconvenience them for exactly that reasons.

DingDongJingle · 14/10/2025 09:21

I’m 40 and my dad is giving us a lift to the airport on Saturday. Happy to make our own way, and have done many many times, but he offered and we accepted.
Are your friends offering to take their kids, rather than them asking?

helpfulperson · 14/10/2025 09:21

They are independent thoughtful adults who don't see the need to impose on others when they can do it for themselves. Dragging people a few hours at odd times of the day for your convenience is fundementally very selfish.

braceforcorrection · 14/10/2025 09:22

I love giving people a lift to the airport before their holidays.

elQuintoConyo · 14/10/2025 09:23

There's no public transport from Stansted to my dad's house, other than extortionate taxi.
Luton to my mum's house is straightforward train through London.
At my end, from my house to the airport there are 4 buses a day, or a €40 taxi, although it's only a 15 minute drive. So between family and friends we're all sharing airport runs between us.

So, it all depends, surely?

It doesn't make me any less of an adult, being picked up by my dad, for example.

Tryingatleast · 14/10/2025 09:24

I used to love my parents seeing me off, you can be independent and still want the road trip and aspect of them waving goodbye. On the other side of it I’ve no doubt my kids will want lifts, they’re too dependent but while I’ll roll my eyes as they ask I’ll enjoy it too (will secretly love it!!)

Original poster
Pebblepoppy · 14/10/2025 09:24

user1471538275 · 14/10/2025 09:10

Is it because you are unreliable, unapproachable or you have taught them early on in their lives that you are not there for them?

I would never ask my mother for a lift anywhere because of the above.

Well I don't think I'm either of those. I think I absolutely am always there for them and I'm the exact opposite of unreliable, for everyone.

I am a widow and I something wonder if they don't like to "burden" me, so they don't come to me when they could/should.

OP posts:
NormasArse · 14/10/2025 09:25

Pebblepoppy · 14/10/2025 09:03

We live within 1.5 hours of several major airports. When I go, I either drive (and pay extortionate parking charges) or go by public transport, which is also pretty straightforward, and cheaper if I'm travelling alone.

Most of my friends seem to be regularly doing airport runs for their adult children, often in the early hours.

I'm not saying I wouldn't do it, if I was asked, or it was necessary, but it's occurred to me mine have never asked.

Hopefully that's because they prefer to be independent, rather than they don't feel they could...?

If my kids are going on holiday, I usually offer. They also take us if we’re going away.

Falalfn · 14/10/2025 09:25

I used to live near an airport. I used to drive my PILs there once a year for their annual holiday. Any time of day/night. I did it because they were family and it was the best method of transport, not because they lacked independence.

I’d happily take my adult children to an airport.

A few years ago, my mum drove me, my DH and my 2dc to the airport. It meant our car could stay at home and hopefully not make our house look empty whilst we were away.

I don’t really see your problem. Being “independent” in this case might equate to wasting money or leaving the home a bit less secure.

Radiatorvalves · 14/10/2025 09:25

Same here. I’m equidistant from LHR and LGW. If I go to the airport I walk/bus/tube/train. It’s about 1.15 hours - the same time wise as a taxi (unless middle of the night), but a lot cheaper. If I drive it would be a 3 hour round trip, plus £7 drop off. We did drop off DS who was heading away for a year abroad (bit emotional!), But neither have asked to be dropped off routinely.

Fatcatsinspats · 14/10/2025 09:25

It depends! I live in central/west London. The train is quicker than driving for Stansted/Gatwick/Luton.

However we have collected/dropped for inter continental trips and heavy luggage, or train strikes.

Heathrow is easier. We have collected after at all night flight/at weekend especially if trains are partly closed. Taxis extortionate where we live. Also collect/drop my sister who flies in once a year from far east.

We tend to offer to drop/collect when able to.

JetFlight · 14/10/2025 09:28

If I could, I would. I wouldn’t take a day off work to do it but if it’s at a convenient time I would and have done for siblings too (who are perfectly capable independent adults)

Exhaustedanxious · 14/10/2025 09:28

How odd to take one thing completely out of the context of their whole lives.
every family is different. Perhaps you do favours for your adult DC that they don’t do for their’s?
just because your family doesn’t do it, doesn’t mean the other kids are less independent.
some families don’t charge rent, some families cost up every penny. I a restaurant Some families split the bill, some take it in turns.

what an odd post singling out one thing.

StewkeyBlue · 14/10/2025 09:38

I have offered mine airport lifts… they always use public transport. They know it is simpler etc.

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