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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Urgent advice please - OK for 11 year old to get cab (Uber?) alone back from friends? In London.

34 replies

lostmeagesago · 28/02/2018 13:44

My Year 7 DS has just called me as school is closing early due to snow day. His school has a big catchment area and he's desperate to go to a friend's house that's a half-hour drive. My dh is at work and worried if he'll even get home at all tonight as needs to work late, so can't pick DS up and I don't drive.

I don't know the child he wants to go to or the parents so can't expect them to hold on to him.

Is it feasible for an 11-year-old to get a cab back on his own (prob about 6pm)? He thinks I'm mean - I said no, partly due to cost and partly as feel uncomfortable with the whole idea.

AIBU to say no?

OP posts:

DontCallMeCharlotte · 28/02/2018 13:46

Is public transport out of the question?

lastqueenofscotland · 28/02/2018 13:46

I wouldn't an uber but I probably would an Addison Lee or similar.

PlanNumber · 28/02/2018 13:47

If you're in London, isn't public transport a better option?

Baden157 · 28/02/2018 13:48

Uber are not allowed to carry unaccompanied minors - it's in their T&Cs. If you are in London, use a black cab - you can use one of the apps (i would recommend mytaxi) .

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 28/02/2018 13:48

I think you're better with a local taxi firm. I wouldn't use uber for child on their own.

Minestheoneinthegreen · 28/02/2018 13:50

I let my yr 7 dd. Is it a very long way that he has to travel? I have to say I wouldn't let het get an uber, but rather a prebooked taxi from our local firm. She knows to take a photo of the number plate and send it to me which clearly does nothing but relieved a tiny bit of my anxiety! plus sit in the back and message me while travelling.

SunnyCoco · 28/02/2018 13:50

Black cab - he’ll be as safe as houses in one of those

Original poster

lostmeagesago · 28/02/2018 13:51

Thanks. Public transport not an option - we're just on the edge of London, so it would involve several complicated changes of tube, a bus and a 15-minute walk in the snow in the dark. So not really practical.

Didn't know that about Uber, Baden - thanks for that.

OP posts:

tinkywinky2018 · 28/02/2018 13:52

I'd be annoyed by the cost but wouldn't have a problem otherwise.
Are the parents expecting him though?

Spoog1971xx · 28/02/2018 13:52

Erm.. That's the least safe form of transport for anyone! What's wrong with TFL? Most things are running today. Failing that a trusted well regarded taxi company.
Would you tell your kid to hitch? Basically it's the same thing, exept you are paying for the game of uninsured driver/ drunk/ sex offender roulette.

Original poster

lostmeagesago · 28/02/2018 13:53

So not an Uber - but would you all think a cab would be OK for a Year 7 on their own? (He's quite nervous and not overly sensible...)

OP posts:

notangelinajolie · 28/02/2018 13:53

No, I wouldn't. If the weather is bad now there is no guarantee he will even be able to get home later. He needs to get home safe now. The taxi bit is irrevelant.

thewhitechapelfatberg · 28/02/2018 13:54

The bigger picture is that if the school is closing because of the poor forecast, what’s to say there will even be an Uber available when he wants to come home? I would say no, for that reason. It could be carnage out there by 6pm.

Original poster

lostmeagesago · 28/02/2018 13:55

And no, the boy's parents aren't expecting him.

DS keeps turning up at random boys' houses with no notice - I really hope their parents don't mind. He claims it's fine and normal.

I've told him he can go to a nearer friend if that's an option.

OP posts:

Mousewatch · 28/02/2018 13:56

No I would don't, I'd tell him to come home now.

DalekDalekDalek · 28/02/2018 13:56

If the snow has closed the school, is there a chance that it will be bad enough later that he won't be able to get home? If that is a risk then I think it would probably be better for him to be home sooner rather than later. (I'm not in London so I don't know how bad the snow is there)

Ginger1982 · 28/02/2018 13:57

Why can't he just come home now?

SunnyCoco · 28/02/2018 13:57

Yes think a proper black cab is very safe.

Beehivesandhoney · 28/02/2018 13:59

I would use a black cab or local firm particularly one that may have school contracts so crb checked.
That said I would make him come home tbh.

PlanNumber · 28/02/2018 14:00

He doesn't sound nervous, if he;s prepared to keep turning up at random houses!

PP is right, there's no given that cabs will be available later, although I agree a booked cab or black cab would be safe enough in normal circumstances

Original poster

lostmeagesago · 28/02/2018 14:00

Agree notangelinajolie and thewhitechapelfatberg - that was what worried me too.

He's now decided to go to another friend, who only lives about 7 mins away by cab, so I can order him a local cab from a company I know. Apparently the boy's mum knows and is OK with it.

I have so many return visits for children owed here.

OP posts:

Original poster

lostmeagesago · 28/02/2018 14:03

I do get why he wants to go to a friend's - frankly, snow days are much more fun with a friend than your mum! The friend he's going to has a massive field just behind his house. :)

Just wish DS would plan these things with a bit more notice...

And if any of the mums are reading this - I'm really sorry...

OP posts:

Pfftkids · 28/02/2018 14:06

Sounds so cheeky turning up at people's houses. The schools shut early because the weather is meant to be getting too bad to travel so no he shouldn't be going to some random child's house for a play

daisypond · 28/02/2018 14:11

Organise a taxi from a local firm. I wouldn't do Uber. Though I would urge public transport too. I'd expect a London Y7 to be able to manage tube journeys, buses, etc, even with changes, and 15 minutes' walk isn't long at all, not even in the dark. Could you help him work out the route if needed?

Ilovecamping · 28/02/2018 14:11

Why are you letting him take charge, you are the responsible adult. It’s a bit of a cheek letting him turn up at other people’s houses without prior notice. Sod the cost I would have got in taxi and collected him from school.

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