To think that DD's SM is a blooming SAINT?

[CardyMow]

DD's Father had no contact (through choice) with DD until she was 12 years old.

He got back in touch by phone when she turned 12. He came down from Scotland to where we live in Essex in August, with his wife and 2 other dc. His wife drove ALL the way down here, AND all the way back, as DD's father doesn't drive.

We arranged that DD would fly up there as an unaccompanied minor, in the October half term. But that has proved an impossibility, as DD is 13.6yo, and EasyJet only fly unaccompanied minors from 14yo. And there are no other carriers flying from Stansted - I have no transport, getting to and from Heathrow to drop DD off would take 11 hours - and I have an 8mo bf baby that is a bottle refuser.

So, DD's SM is going to DRIVE all the flipping way from Inverness to Colchester to pick up DD, and drive ALL the way back to Inverness on the 20th - 21st October, and then do the same in reverse on the 28th - 29th October.

AIBU to think she must be some kind of bloody SAINT for doing this for her DH (My ex)??? I'm so glad she is doing it though - it's the only way DD will be able to see them before March next year when she turns 14yo!

oooh NICE handcream... could go with the nice ham

catchafallingstaf - come on, give her a break. Many people post things that are obviously not unreasonable. Must we pitchfork them in to posting elsewhere?

Op - personally I would get her wine - she'll need it after that journey!

Play the game then catchafallingstar! The correct response is YANBU.

She sounds great. It is so much easier when the ex marries someone lovely (mine did).

Lottie - as is DS1's SM. Hence asking if IABU to think she is some kind of saint - it is outside my personal experience to find such a kind SM - even my own SM hated me - used to cook dinner for my dad and HER dc, but my dad would have to cook mine, etc etc.

YANBU.
Is that what you wanted to hear?
Ta da.

Bravo! Wasn't so hard was it?

YANBU. How about a petrol voucher? It's going to cost a lot to make 2 long round trips. And wine.

I think a present is a lovely idea (as a sm myself t was very reassuring to be thanked).

My goodness she sounds like one in one million . I agree that it is probably because of the SM that he got in touch, why all of a sudden. This happened to my brother, he was useless at keeping in touch, and never a card or a present for birthdays or Christmas, since he met his lovely partner, dd gets a card and a present for Birthday and Christmas, and phones more regularly. It always used to be me that made contact so was pretty much one sided until he met his dp

What a lovely thing for SM to do Is your DD excited a bout going?

Can I ask why it would take 11 hours to get to and from Heathrow?

She sounds lovely.

Ryanair go to Scotland from Stansted, what's their policy on an unaccompanied 13 year old?

She sounds great. And it's really nice to read something like this in AIBU, too.

I agree you should get her a nice bottle of wine or something to say thanks, or a petrol voucher if possible. Sounds as if she is getting your ex to take some responsibility finally!

That's very kind and lovely of her to do that for your daughter, you're very lucky. I agree with Bark that a petrol voucher would be a nice gift (and contribution) but also something for her - chocolates, a relaxing bath-soak-type product (to help relax after the drive), magazine/book to read in the bath whilst using the bath product... If you were going to pay for the flight you could probably afford to be generous. Not that you have to, just an idea. You and your DD are very lucky and YANBU!

I would do them a nice hamper of treats to enjoy on the journey back up - sweets, drinks, cakes and sandwiches etc, all of extra special quality. Plenty for the both of them to share.

I would also give your daughter something to give to her as a thankyou from her...maybe a little gift set or somethng?

What a great woman. This scenario has the potential to have so many stumbling blocks and she has gone out of her way to be kind and put your DD first. You definitely need to give her a saintly thank you of some sort!

Why not fly BA, they do younger unaccompanied minors. Might be a little more but still probably cheaper and a lot faster then driving a 4 way trip.

Send flowers to be at the house when she gets home.

Get DD to make a card and send when she comes home to you.

Op's last thread re this visit explored all other travel options - flights, trains, buses etc - and there really is no other way. Really glad the SM is so fantastic.

YANBU. However, I wouldn't contribute towards petrol if I were you, ex-DH should cover that.

BA no longer do very many if any internal domestic flights and certainly not to inverness mostly flybe/ bmi easyjet ryanair

YANBU. I think she sounds lovely.

I remember your last post and yes she does sound rather saintly. Hope your DD's visit goes well.

She does sound lovely :) and far too good for your ex

Of course BA flies London to Inverness.