Ds’s friend stayed for sleepover and no ones come to collect him

[YabaDabaBoo]

Ds’s friend (both 10) stayed for a sleepover last night after they went trick or treating together. They’ve been friends since nursery so we know him very well and know the parents fairly well. We don’t socialise with them but the boys often have sleepovers at each other’s house. Sometimes we will do the school run for each other. We always chat in the playground.

Friends df works night shifts so we agreed to have him stay as his dm is away with work. He said he will be back to pick him up today between 10.30/11 as he needs to drop him off at his grandparents before lunch.

It’s after 1pm now and he’s not here. It’s very unlike him. They’ve never been this late before. If ever they were running late they’d always call and let us know.

I’ve tried the df’s mobile several times and left a message. I’ve also tried the dm but hers is just going to vml. I don’t what else to do, if anything.

Obviously, I’ve given the boys lunch and they’re very happy playing video games. Should I be doing something else?

has dad just done a night shift? He may have fallen asleep and forgot to set his alarm. If the boy has a mobile he could call his gps as they may be worried.

That sounds worrying if it's not something they've done before, so you know they aren't CF's.

I would keep trying for a couple of hours and go from there. If you don't hear anything and it's coming up to tea time I would see if you can find any other relatives number to find out what's going on.

Does the boy know his grandparents' number/ address?

sussexmama33

Great idea, I didn’t think of that. He doesn’t have a mobile with him but he may know their number.

Does the friend know his grandparents' number? Can you go to his house or the grandparents' house to see if anyone is there (perhaps dad has just gone to sleep as suggested)?

Night shift worker here too.

You can almost garuntee he's got I'm from work and fallen asleep without changing his alarm and his phone will be on silent. He'll probably phone in an hour sheepish and very apologetic.
Is it quite wet where you are OP I always do my best sleeps when I can hear the cars driving in the rain. It's pretty much perfect sleep conditions for most of us night shift workers to get a good sleep today.

My bet is on the Dad falling asleep after his night shift and forgetting an alarm. I wouldn’t be worried but I would think that the GPs might be so I’d try to reach them if feasible. Does the boy have their number? Or call the mum and she can call them?

fluffyhousen

Thats one of the reasons I’m so worried. The are not cf’s at all, this is very unlike them. They have my ds over just as much as we have theirs and, as I said, are normal very reliable.

Im thinking it may be worth driving over to their house and knocking.

If he did a night shift last night I suspect he's fallen asleep and slept through his alarm

I've done it once when my son was in nursery - felt so guilty about it

Does seem the most likely explanation is hat he’s fallen asleep with phone on silent.

I would go round to the house on your own if you can. Just knock and say your happy to still have the boy (if you are) but you just wanted to make sure everything was ok

Definitely go and knock, or contact GPs. I’m sure all is well and he is just asleep But as it is out of character I would follow it up.

I second the idea of going around on your own, just to check everything is ok.

How far is their house-go and knock.

If the boys are happy and you are happy to have the other boy there just leave it. I'm sure someone will be round, profusely apologising, when dad wakes up.

He'll be asleep. I would expect a mad rush to yours and a panicked knocking at the door.

Logically I would say he's fallen asleep with the phone on silent. I bet subconsciously he's slept better for not having a child at home. However, it's still concerning. I would pop around.

Right, he doesn’t remember his grandparents number off by heart so that a no go.

Their house is usually a 10 min drive but about 20 min now as they’re doing roadworks and have temporary traffic lights. I’m going to take the younger two dc with me and leave the boys home to pop over.

I know they’ve never left their ds on his own but I’m thinking 40/45 mins there and back, two 10 year olds should be fine on their own?

Yeah I work nights he has fallen back to sleep and his phone will be on silent he is going to panic when he wakes up so maybe just send a text saying everything is fine and not to worry it's a horrible feeling waking up disoriented to loads of missed calls.

I would try and contact the grandparents if you can as they are probably getting worried too but apart from that there isn't much else you can do till someone checks their mobile.

Is there a land line that always wakes me up if it goes?

I think I'd see if he knows his GPs number as if they were expecting him they're probably concerned

They'll be fine.

Why wouldn’t you take them with you and if his Df is there you can leave him?

I wouldn’t go over there, give it another few hours maybe? Even if he’s asleep you may not be able to wake him

Don’t leave boys on their own, it’s not a good idea.
Could you find their landline number?

I wouldn’t either leave the older two or take them. I wouldn’t leave a 10 year old whose parents don’t leave him. If, god forbid, something weird has happened to the DF, having DC with you is a bad idea. Just sit tight and keep ringing if you don’t have to be anywhere