to think this mum is taking the mick

[walkingbus]

At our primary school they are very keen on the walking bus concept ( groups of parents getting tog to organise a rota for walking kids to school, rain or shine, for health and green reasons)

our family has taken part for years - 3 kids, eldest p5. Me and dh do 4 out of 5 days with various other paretns doing 1,2,or 3 days.We take up to 16 kids to school each day over a route about a mile long.

It's a community spirited thing, not about which parents do the most days. Several parents use the bus for their kids and never take a turn helping but that's ok.

However one family have used the bus every day for 5 years , first for elder kid and now for the younger one.
Neither parent has ever helped. This just dawned on me today.

What bothers me a bit is their 2 kids are late EVERY SINGLE Morning while the rest of us stand in the freezing cold waiting for them for them.

AIUBU to think if someone else is getting your kids to school for you every morning for 5 years you shouold at least have them ready on time? The mother does not work outside the home.

YANBU - I would leave on time and give the other parents a bit of a shock!

YANBU, IMO.

It's a nuisance that they can't get their kids ready on time and it's also rude to the other kids and to those adults who are helping them get to school.

What a shame these parents don't feel the need to give something back to a scheme which has helped them out for so long. As you say, it's ok not to make a regular commitment to it but to have never helped in 5 years...I think that's called taking liberties.

I had considered the rest of us leaving 5 minutes later ( this family are the final pick up point) but often one of her kids comes out first then the other comes out 5 minutes later. The mother will moan that the second kid is always late. She does not seem to think it is her responsibility to get a 6 year old out the door on time

It occurred to me today that despite seeing her (and saying hello) at the school gates every day at 3.pm (bus is morning only) she has not ONCE in 5 years thanked me for taking her kids to school.

YANBU - if you're meant to be there at 8.15 or whatever and the kids aren't ready, just keep walking. Maybe circulate some sort of newsletter/flyer thing first saying these are the new rules, and while you're at it making a big deal out of how generous with their time all the helpers are, without their community spirit the walking bus couldn't work etc etc - it might bring things home a bit to the couple.

Tell her that if her children aren't ready, you'll be leaving.

The more I think of it, it is a pretty neat trick (whether you re on time or not)to get a complete stranger ( who has had disclosure checks paid for by the school)to take your kids to school for you every day!

The diplomatic way to do it os to issue a set of printed rules to everyone, making it clear that you can not wait for people who are late.

YANBU, don't wait for her kids. A couple of days of this and you will find that her kids will always be on time.

Could you send a note to all the families reminding them about the responsibility to have their children ready for the bus, otherwise they will not be taken?

At ours everyone has to take a turn
Why don't you change things and make every parent volunteer at least once a week, then you can stay at home for a few days a week

compo Good question.
I am beginning to think I am a mug

As other posters have said, circulate some rules saying you cannot wait for late children as the weather is turning so miserable etc etc.

What is going to happen when you leave? Unless other people start taking more responsibility then the 'bus' will grind to a halt.

You need to raise it in PTA.
Joining in should be condition of using it.
I help run Sunday school but all parents have to join in.I'm not a free babysitting service.