What would u do?

[Flipflop23]

Ok I will keep it short. I have 3 kids 2 have left home and have good jobs, I’ve not worked away from home for over 15 years (I worked for my husbands company but from home) now the 2 oldest have left home I only have a 13 year old left at home. My husband has taken a permanent job which has made me redundant. It was an opportunity too good to miss. I don’t need to work we are financially secure.
i have been offered a job Monday to Friday 8am till 1pm
it means my son would have to walk to school ( no school bus) we live in a rural area so some of the walk has no footpath but it a busy road. It would take him about 30 mins.
no room for change in hours.
would you take it?
the other 2 always had me at home and I feel like I’m saying to the youngest “sort yourself out” and I’m riddled with guilt.

Is there a plan B to get him to school - drop him at a mate’s house that is a safer walk? Breakfast club at school?

No breakfast club at school and he doesn’t want to be dropped off at a mates at 7.30 in the morning.
I think I know the answer to be honest it’s a no 😂

I wouldn't, if you don't need the money.

Or I would take the job, and give him taxi money.

Surely if its an LA school then they have to sort transport for him as:

it means my son would have to walk to school ( no school bus) we live in a rural area so some of the walk has no footpath but it a busy road. It would take him about 30 mins.

Can he cycle? Would the local authority pay for a taxi - if it’s a state school and there’s no safe walking route then it might meet the criteria?

If it's a safety concern, that's understandable. If it's feeling bad because a 13 YO has to walk for 30 mins and get themselves ready, that's less so.

How safe is the walk? Would a taxi in the morning be viable if it's unsafe.

I wouldn't let my 13yr old walk along a busy road with no set footpath. Contact the school, may be funding avaliable for transport?

It's that you said there's no footpath in some areas of the walk coupled with a busy road. It doesn't seem a good plan for a 13yo especially if your new job isn't going to make the difference between keeping a roof over your heads in which needs must.

Sounds like you can afford a taxi.

Pay for taxi there and collect him after

Buy him a bicycle

Personally I would take the job. Surely he's a big lad now and would be happy to get to school independently.
I have similar situation except not rural, DD has to go to school by tube. I don't need to work either but it's not about money, I like my job and it contributes to having a meaningful life and good self-esteem. Do you like the sound of the job, would it be interesting? What else will you do if you don't work?

Is your job in the same direction as school? If so I’d drive him towards your office and drop him on a road where there is a pavement so he can walk back towards the school. A 30-45 min walk is very normal for secondary school, good for his MH and fitness too.

As he gets older he could probably cycle on the sunny days (and then cycle home).

Busy road with no footpath - no way. I don't let my 15 year old walk along these types of road never mind my 13 year old (and I wouldn't even walk them myself unless in an emergency).

I have similar situation except not rural, DD has to go to school by tube

Your situation isn't remotely similar.

I'm more than happy for my older dc to use tubes, trains and buses alone. I'm not happy for them to walk along semi rural roads with no pavement when there are cars whizzing by right next to them.