To think he should take his own child to school?

[ApplesandOrangesandPears]

I have a neighbour who's child is my daughters class, every day this past week this child has showed up at my door unaccompanied to go to school with us - this would be fine but my child has ADHD and mornings are chaotic and difficult. I don't have this child's parents phone numbers, and don't know exactly where they live! However I just saw the parent in their car driving away as I was trying to bundle all 3 children across the car park.....this child is very young and so I don't feel comfortable sending them home alone and clearly the parent isn't waiting for them to get home before leaving themselves! I don't have any contact with these parents so if something were to happen I wouldn't be able to let them know, we are also going away soon and won't be able to take him to school! AIBU to think this is really cheeky of the parents and that you shouldn't just assume another parent will take yours to school with no prior conversation at all!

🥴

@ApplesandOrangesandPears so is the child still turning up on your doorstep after you’ve spoken to school or has this stopped? I’m concerned what will happen if your child is off school sick one day… what happens when child knocks?… will you have to drag your children out on a school run to ensure this strangers child gets in safely?
At the very least they should ensure you’ve got contact details

Child (who has permission to walk to school on their own) would walk to school on their own.
Obviously. Why wouldn't they? The school have confirmed that children can do that. They haven't confirmed that SS, the police, and specialist SWAT teams need to be airlifted in for an intervention should the child (who has permission to walk to school on his own) call for his mate along the route.

We got it - child is allowed to walk to school on their own. But they could not explain it to the OP, which is kind of shows how immature the child is. And their parents obviously couldn't care less if the kid is going to someone else's house instead of going straight to school. Some proper free-range parenting here!

OP didn't ask him if he was allowed to walk by himself. She asked about his father and he said he had to go on. She didn't ask to where. He gave a correct answer to the question that was asked, so how does this make him any more immature than any other 7 yo.

All this nonsense started really, because OP assumes she's been made responsible for this child just because he stops at her house to walk with her son. That would've never entered my mind. And I don't see it as obvious at all that the parents couldn't care less. The father has seen OP with her children, and his son may have told him he likes to walk with OPs son. Nothing unusual. But I do thank you for not yelling out to the world - IT'S A SAFEGUARDING ISSUE!!!!! Run, call the cops!

@ITryHarder I red the whole thread! very unusual ))

I think as a mum OP felt responsible for the little 7yo on her door step, its hard not to if you are a caring person. TBH I felt very surprised there is no age limit for a child to go to school on their own, I only heard of older kids (10-11) doing that. MN is very educational )))

No law, but most schools do have an age where they allow it. My kids school is from year 3, which means as young as 7 can walk to and from on their own. You as a parent have to make that call on wether it’s ok for your child to do that though. But our school won’t let the kids go without an adult in year 2 and below.

I grew up in another country and was walking to school by myself from around 6, and used to play outside by myself from an even earlier age. I live in Central London now so its very different for kids here... you tend to worry even about teenagers... good to know that some places here are still safe enough for kids to be independent from an early age.

OK, this seems to be settling down by now. OP spoke to the school. It's not what I would have done, but at least she didn't go to the police or call social services. Thank you OP. You're more level head won out over some calling for drastic measures. If you don't mind, please keep us informed of what comes next - whether you hear from the parents, whether he still comes by, whatever.

Made the press now.

THIS! Bring the child to school, and straight to the office, and have them call Social Services. This is absolutely insane! They left their child unattended, without even a prior request?!? Totally unacceptable

You need to read the full thread. The child is allowed to walk to and from school alone. So im not sure what you think calling ss will do!

It can't be that difficult to find the parents if she's so concerned. I may have knocked on their door and said "Hi. Your son stops at my house each morning to walk with my son. He's a lovely child and I don't mind at all, but I thought that perhaps we should meet." More likely, I wouldn't be so concerned about it and just say "good morning" to him each day since it's perfectly legal for him to walk, and his responsible parents taught him the way to school and probably are happy that he's found a friend he enjoys walking with.

If, IF, OP had gone to the police or social services, the parents or, as she has done, the school, is she now required to return to them if he continues to stop and then stops stopping at her house? She could yell "it's a SAFE-GUARDING ISSUE since he used to stop at our house, and now he isn't. Call the cops, send out the dogs!!" And all this time, he's simply walking with another friend.

I'm unwatching the thread now because even after all is said and done, idiots who haven't even read OPs comments are still cropping up. Sometimes, some people who appear to be on your side advising you... you don't want on your side or you could wind up in a deeper hole.

I do wonder if the kid is still turning up and if the OP has encountered their parents at all.