Lift to airport

[Teddybear120]

Hello
My sister has asked if I can drive her to the airport next week. We live about 2 hours from the airport and she needs to be there in the early evening so will involve driving back on the M25 in rush hour. Normally I would have no problem doing this but I’m hesitant this time. I am 37 weeks pregnant with our second child. My first child was born at 37 weeks after I had an accident so I am a bit wary going to far from home atm. My husband could try to get the afternoon off and take her but if I did go into labour he could potentially be 3 hours away from being back and my first labour was very quick. He may not be able to get it off short notice either (boss is aware of potentially needing to leave if I go into labour and that is ok) Other family members cannot take her. She could get the train but issues would mean two changes including a bus. It is predicted to take her 3 hours. She works abroad so has been back visiting us, plus one of our grandparents who has been very ill. She has been great helping me out with my son so I can rest after a stressful few weeks for various reasons. I don’t know if I am being over cautious and feel like I’m letting her down on the small chance I go into labour but I just don’t think I can do it.

Not unreasonable of her to ask (it sounds as if you've been prepared to do this favour before, and she does stuff for you) and perfectly acceptable for you to say no, for the reasons you've given here. Having said no, you don't then need to try and solve her transport problem for her.

Too much of a risk IMO. YANBU.

Taxi. No guilt

Having seen my sister this afternoon it turns out she has asked our mum to take her but she couldn’t so suggested me. I’m not quite sure what my mum was thinking, particularly with her knowing how my labour was last time. My sister is more than happy to get the train so feel less worried about letting her down.

To answer those suggesting I pay for a taxi to say thank you for the childcare. It is simply I cannot afford right now. They are about £100-120 last time we looked at it for ourselves. She has helped me out and I am very grateful for that. If she hadn’t been here to do the childcare I would have gone without it and pushed through juggling as I was before. I have also done her some favours while she has been here such as dropping her off at the hospital when I can etc. We have always helped each other out and there are times when I do more for her than me and vice versa. She is lovely and when I explained, she said she hadn’t thought about that, particularly the length of the round trip plus rush hour. I think it comes down to her just not realising that logistics of it all plus that I could potentially give birth any day now or still be weeks away, alongside my mum actually suggesting it to her. Anyway thanks for reassuring me I wasn’t crazy and being overly precious re the pregnancy.

Good outcome but what was your mum thinking?!

Maybe just explain your misgivings and ask if she would mind getting to the airport a couple of hours earlier so that you can avoid the rush hour?