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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Being an unpaid taxi driver

47 replies

whatdidthefoxsay · 01/08/2015 00:05

This is meant to be lighthearted but we moved to the country when kids were little, now they are teens I feel I'm constantly driving one or the other into town at different times and picking up again at different times. Aibu, it was my idea to move here but this constant ferrying in and out is getting a bit wearing

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 01/08/2015 00:10

I can understand your frustration but you kind of are BU because that's the choice you made for them, so what else can they do unless the public transport is ok?

I take it they have bikes also?

Original poster
whatdidthefoxsay · 01/08/2015 00:16

To be honest I know I am being unreasonable. It was my choice and I do take them when they want. I think I'm just particularly weary tonight. They have bikes but they way some people drive on country roads I would rather drive them myself, and it's probably a good 30 minute bike into town. I've given myself a shake (as my dad would say) and got out of my selfish mood. I'm actually glad there off seeing friends than stuck in front of the TV, I think I just had a funky moment Grin

OP posts:
anytech · 01/08/2015 00:17

Yes if it was your idea then you can hardly complain. I did lots of ferrying as we lived in the country when mine were primary aged, but I got tired of it when they at secondary so we moved back to London. Best thing we ever did, they are 13 and 15 now and I can send them on their merry way with their Oyster cards!

WorraLiberty · 01/08/2015 00:20

You know the weirdest thing ever, is the amount of my friends who have moved out to the sticks...away from the city because they wanted a healthier way of living.

Now, the majority of them say they they're more reliant on their cars than ever, and they do a lot less everyday walking Grin

Canyouforgiveher · 01/08/2015 00:32

I hate driving and because of choice of schools spent last year doing an enormous amount of driving for my teens. I reconciled it by deciding it was actually one of the few times I could just sit with my teen, sing along with the radio with them, or chat. Also I started listening to books on cd in the car for the return journey. Made it a lot easier.

So I feel your pain OP because I know how so much driving is really wearying. But that is country living really. We decided to live near public transport/bus/train/walk distance to shops and cafes for this reason - so that we would not have to drive the kids everywhere ... just didn't predict the school thing!

BackforGood · 01/08/2015 00:36

Well, this isn't very controversial - you've already admitted YABU Grin

I think it's part of the 'deal' tbh and the reason I'd far rather live in the thick of things, in the City.

SniffsAndSneezes · 01/08/2015 01:56

Yeah, unfortunately OP that's what you signed up for when you moved to the sticks! My Mum did the same when I was a kid, moved us to a village with 2 long slow buses an hour to the nearest town, the last one being around 7pm in either direction, and then she moaned about being a taxi driver. Unless you're gonna give your kids the cab fare for an actual taxi I'm afraid you'll have to suck it up!

Epilepsyhelp · 01/08/2015 02:05

My dad used to hitch lifts for us with his customers (worked from home) Grin if we needed to go somewhere and he was busy he'd just hijack whoever was leaving and have them drop us off.. Meant we were sometimes a bit late/early but we got there.. Do you have a network you could use for help at all? I would note they were always people he knew well!

AcrossthePond55 · 01/08/2015 03:36

Oh yes, I remember those days! I was so glad when DS1 got his license and could drive himself! And I'd pay bribe him to drive his little brother places.

MidniteScribbler · 01/08/2015 03:59

That's one of the reasons I moved away from the country when DS was born. I'll go back when he's out on his own and has his own transport.

AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain · 01/08/2015 06:05

Yabu.

My parents also chose to move to the countryside and consequently we needed ferrying around a fair bit as we had three buses a week! You must have known it would happen so suck it up I'm afraid! I learnt to drive as soon as I could, and so did all my friends so it won't be forever. I now live in a city. Grin

haveabreakhaveakitkat · 01/08/2015 06:44

We live in a big city and we nearly moved a few years ago but I'm so glad we didn't! We are a ten minute bus ride to the city centre with the train and coach station so the older dc's are very independent. It's great for them. Dd is 17 and has been off to festivals all over the country this summer, without me having to leave the sofa Smile

Andrewofgg · 01/08/2015 07:18

All together and to the tune of the Pastoral Symphony

The country, the country, the country gets you down
There's nothing like the country to make you want the town!

Mrsjayy · 01/08/2015 08:53

My friend moved out of a big town for fresh air now she is never out her car she lives back of beyond and has to drive her and dc everywhere

Bullshitbingo · 01/08/2015 09:19

This is why I'm staying in the suburbs til mine are grown. I hanker after the rural idyll for myself, but remember being a teenager was all about hanging out with friends, and we have great transport links where we are now, very close to schools etc.
As soon as they're at uni, I'm off to buy myself a cottage!

NoahVale · 01/08/2015 09:25

we moved to a village from a town, much better primary school and comprehensive, but being a taxi driver is frustrating.
dc do not appreciate it now, they want to move back to the town for the transport links

MissJoMarch · 01/08/2015 09:26

Imagine how your kids feel having to ask for lift every time they just want to go out.

Their freedom and social life is based on your desire to drive them. I feel sorry for your kids!

NoahVale · 01/08/2015 09:35

Thing is, as a child myself, lifts were not often forthcoming. I am sure most of us would say the same.
lifts were not something you took for granted.
my dc work part time but still need lifts to and
from work Confused
although some enterprising parents suggest they use their bikes.

LilyMayViolet · 01/08/2015 09:37

Well yabu but at least you do give your kids lifts! We lived in a similar setting when we were teenagers and my parents were very reluctant to drive us around. We had an extremely boring, depressing few years. It's made me absolutely determined that dd would grow up in town! It's part and parcel of living out in the sticks but I've no don't it does get very irritating and tiring.

NoahVale · 01/08/2015 09:38

I moved to London as soon as I could, but moved back when I was pregnant Grin

mrsdavidbowie · 01/08/2015 09:40

That would drive me mad.
I love living near a station with excellent buses. I haven't driven mine anywhere since they were 11.

Gymbob · 01/08/2015 09:45

other way round for us. we live in the city but dd works in the sticks. buses are once every 2 hours, so she cycles. it takes her 45 mins each way and its a 15 mile round trip.

may I ask why other youngsters don't cycle?

NoahVale · 01/08/2015 10:02

i have suggested this Gymbob, DD answer is she doesnt want to get to work hot and sweaty Grin

AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain · 01/08/2015 10:06

For my cycling would have meant 7 miles up a dual carriage way with no cycle path.

We had a bus stop a few miles away which my parents dropped me off at for my weekend job.

caravanista13 · 01/08/2015 10:11

I used to love driving my teenagers around - it was the only time we had a proper chance to chat!

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