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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I be driving her dd?

215 replies

sailingclosetothewind · 07/09/2019 13:28

I will keep this brief. It is a school run dilemma.

My dd and another girl in her year from primary school have just started the same senior school half an hour away. We know them from primary school to chat to, they are in the next village along from us (not very close but not so far) we have had the odd play date in the last few years, but the girls are not friends and have never shared a class etc.

Over the summer the girl's mother approached me and we met up a few times. Since then she has asked me if we can share lifts to school, which is not a terrible idea until I found out she is planning to get a full time job in a city nearly an hour and a half hour away so she can not confirm what days, if any, she can drive them. So really she is asking me to do every school run fro her every day isn't she? Surely an arrangement would mean she would do some of the driving.

I am very reluctant to get into any fixed arrangements whatsoever (I have been on MN long enough) but she is increasingly putting pressure on me to agree. Every time I see her she asks, and texts me, can you pick up Clara today etc.

Am I being U to not take her dd to school and back each day? I have two other dc at a different school, and school clubs to take into account. Factoring in a 15 minute detour to her house every day especially so early in the morning and home again is really not on, and unfair of her to ask me.

Am I right in thinking she needs to make her own arrangements for her child (she has just one dd, and if she has an emergency I am happy to help otherwise its really her responsibility. I feel like she is making it my problem!

Yesterday she was quite distant, and slightly off with me, I don't want things to be strained between us but I am not sure how to manage the situation.

OP posts:
WhatchaMaCalllit · 09/09/2019 13:22

Nope @Spingtrolls - you're not alone there.

Well done @sailingclosetothewind - you're doing so well.
If it comes to it, use the message that @PuppyMonkey suggests or maybe "Hi CF, Apologies if my earlier messages were unclear. I will not be able to take your DD with us on the school run. You will have to find and make alternative arrangements to get your DD to and from school yourself. Bye, @sailingclosetothewind"

SarahTancredi · 09/09/2019 13:34

spring

Think you are right. She was banking on op taking her so there was little time to get the monthly ticket or bus pass sorted.

Leeds2 · 09/09/2019 13:35

I would hazard a guess that the girl won't miss the bus again!

Nanasueathome · 09/09/2019 14:02

Just a question......how will the child get home from school?
Will she expect a lift home from you?

WhatIsThis1 · 09/09/2019 14:06

Wow! She is a CF, don't reply to her messages. Put phone on silent night before and don't turn it back until you are safely at school away from the guilt tripping!

1Wildheartsease · 09/09/2019 14:26

Seeing her plans for you, do you really want this woman as a friend? Clearly , your daughter doesn't want the connection with hers.

Block her number - to prevent any more of the guilt-tripping.

Keep her family as nodding acquaintances - with no need for direct contact.

Drum2018 · 09/09/2019 14:53

Hope you didn't reply. I'd be inclined to block her number. You really can do without her sending random texts looking for a lift in the coming weeks/years.

MildThing · 09/09/2019 18:10

"is looking into a public bus service in the nearest town, she said she doesn't feel xx is ready for a public bus as she has never crossed a road by herself"

WTF!!!!

How driving kids about infantilises them. An able NT child attending secondary school is ready for a public bus.

In your shoes, OP, my own Dd would be on the bus too.

A 15 min detour to pick her up and drop her each day adds up to 2.5 hours extra driving.

titnomatani · 09/09/2019 19:42

Bloody hell- the woman has no shame/self-respect/self-awareness. Block her out of your life. She's a leech.

Pikapikachooo · 09/09/2019 20:11

You have to be very candid and tell her straight
So what if she is ‘off’ ? What have you got to lose here other than a CF in your life and extra hassle

Rip off the plaster

bluebeck · 09/09/2019 20:24

BLOCK HER!!!!! Grin

BloggersBlog · 09/09/2019 20:27

No dont block her!!! Then we wont hear any CF updates Grin

Goldenglory · 09/09/2019 20:28

I sincerely hope you haven’t been responding to any of the messages

bluebeck · 09/09/2019 20:34

No dont block her!!! Then we wont hear any CF updates

DON'T BLOCK HER!!!

wibbletooth · 09/09/2019 20:54

Don’t block her! Play CF bingo and see how many different excuses she comes up with... —and entertain us with— Grin and get a handle on the depths of her insanity!

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