To ask another school mum to take kids to school?

[ThereIsTooMuchConfusion]

My child care just fell through and I have no options. I'm on nights won't get home until 9am. dh starts work at 0700 and would need to drop kids off at 0645. I have no other options and cannot take carers leave. But feel very cheeky asking others. At a push dh can go in late but his work will get very annoyed at him and he isn't working in a great environment as it is. Agh why are things so bloody hard!

Would I be cheeky to ask, I'm not close to any school mums but we chat a lot at the gate and one of my children are best friends with her child?

I'd do it, I've done it. As long as it's not regular, it's fine. And it means I have "one in the bag" if I ever need a favour in return.

I wouldn't mind, im up then but my kids arnt. I'd be happy to help if another parent was stuck, gives a possibility of a favour in return!

Fine as a one off as long as you a) give her the option to say no and b) offer a favour in return. Most people are reasonable enough if you are reasonable too. I would do it.

I'd happily do it, we're up and out by 6.45am anyway, but always happy to help out a mum with a childcare problem if I possibly can. Agree a text would by my preference as I wouldn't feel put on the spot.

Definitely ask ( also prefer text over phone call for this type of thing!)

I would definitely help out as a one off, and I wouldn't care how you asked, be it text or call etc. I'm up at that time anyway, or can be if I set my alarm so the time wouldn't be an issue.

For a few of the mums I would do it as an ongoing thing too, and I don't even take my boys anymore, they walk to and from themselves.
But I would absolutely do it if they had no other options. I know they would do the same for me.

Us parents have to stick together I think, and we've nearly all been in a position where we have had to ask a favour. It's life as a parent. It might help build on a friendship between you and other mums too.

You've nothing to lose by asking imo

I would absolutely ask and I have asked when I had to leave v early to get a train and had no other options. I took them a box of chocolates to say thank you. #

I recommend asking someone with a baby because they're usually up pretty early :o

Oh and I'd be very happy to be asked too. I don't normally get up at that time but I'd do it no problem for another parent in a sticky situation. :)

Yes do ask. If it were me I'd be delighted to be of help. Would probably offer the children to sleep over if it made things easier

Me and most of the mums I know at school would absolutely help out in an emergency. No one knows when you might need a favour yourself

I think you've got your answer OP - ask away. They can only say no. On the off chance that no one can help you have you looked into emergency childcare? I work for the emergency services and my organisation has links with a company who provide ad hoc and emergency childcare for shift workers ? They definitely have childminders & nannies who do ad hoc care. Also If you look at websites like Childcare.com they also have childminders who do emergency / ad hoc care ( some even all night). They are a bit pricier than regular childminders but then they don't have the benefit of regular hours. You might want to scope this out in case you have a similar dilemma in the future ( although try the other mothers first ) I can always dig out the name of the agency if you wanted it. Let me know.

If it is just a one off, then surely it is better that your husband is inconvenienced rather than a woman you don't know well?

I'd also do this now and again no problem. 6.45 is too much of an ask though.

Yes text to ask. I would add in your text that it's just a one off and acknowledge that it's super early and you'd understand if it is a no.

I'd much rather be asked by text than face to face or on the phone.

Make sure you say you have her children over in return. I never mind helping but it gets on my wick when people never return the favour.

We're both shift workers so would happily help out in this situation. I'd ask, it's just a one off.

We frequently take other DC to school. IME it's usually a drop off of 6.30/6.45ish - much later than that and they'd be able to pay for breakfast club (7.30 start) so wouldn't be asking anyway. Earliest I've ever been asked was 3.15am, with no notice, but that was because the mum unexpectedly went into pre-term labour. Oh, and having a 4yo means there's not much chance we'll still be in bed at 6, let alone 6.45!

Swings and roundabouts - there are plenty of people I can call in emergencies, and indeed have done so when Dc2 has had to go to A&E. I think as long as you acknowledge it's really early and emphasise that you would be more than happy to return the favour when needed, it's not an issue.

I'd do this. I've even had kids overnight to help out before. It evens out, because other parents help me, when necessary, too. Frankly I think this is the only way juggling children and work is feasible - and it means when someone has an op, or a family emergency, they have favours in the bank to call on, too.

It's not cheeky to ask. But flowers and a nice bottle of wine, plus offer of payment (won't be accepted, in all likelihood) and stressing exact length of time and that it is a oneoff you aren't comfortable about asking - is key, I think. Basically, demonstrate that you aren't the sort of horrendous piss taker a kind parent may occasionally happen across.

Flowers and wine after, obviously. Offer of payment and stressing time frame/exceptionality when asking.

Rather pressurising if giving wine and flowers when asking!

I'd also be happy to help as a one off. And have done many many times! Text is fine as you can cram in all the info re time etc.

For those on MN that slate the school gate mums and can't be bothered as they swish off to work - this is a good example of why it's worth the effort of getting to know some of us. You might actually get to like some, even become friends, and we're excellent at helping out in emergencies like these!

Agree fine to ask, I'm always happy to help out like this, and have done my fair share of asking too, have done sleepovers too if needed, no problem.
If you feel awkward offer a payback play date or similar.
We ( my group of friends/other parents) always text for something like this. It's not rude at all, gives time to consider if doable before reply. Lots of us work shifts or irregular hours so we all understand and help each other out.
And we are all up front and say no if not suitable, no one takes offence at all.

I'd probably do it, but ask to have the child the evening before for a sleepover. 6:45 is not so different from 4am in our house (work late, school at nine, alarm clock at 8am).

Ask. I would be happy to do this and would be upset to think another parent in need did not feel comfortable enough to ask. I am up at 6:45 anyway but would get up earlier as a one off to help.

I had my friends two kids over at 7am once as she had to work. I must admit I only did that the once, yawn and 4 smallies early in the morning!

I'm always happy to help,people out but I do think 06.45 is a big ask, sorry.