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Original poster

Sister asked for favour - what should I do?

62 replies

Bozza · 04/07/2006 22:37

My sister is going to Canada with her DH and DS. They are flying out on Saturday 8th and coming back two weeks later. They had arranged for my other sister to take them to the airport and back. Only it turns out they don't arrive back until 9 am on Monday 24th and sis is on a course that day so can't oblige.

My sis has asked if I will pick them up from the airport. We live about 1.5 hours from airport and Dsis lives similar but also similar from me - so that would be about 4-5 hours driving minimum for me. I said I wouldn't be able to fit them in (I have Fiesta) and she asked why so I said because of DS and DD. Fairly obvious I would have thought. So she said couldn't I leave them with somebody. I don't have family nearby and have two friends who help me out sometimes. But one of them is on holiday and the other who normally works on a Monday does have the week off but I can hardly expect her to babysit my two from 8 am on the first day of her holiday for half a day can I? Also reluctant to use my babysitting favours up for my sister.

What do you think? Have thought about suggesting they park their car somewhere nearby and I will take the kids and give one of them a lift to get the car. DH and I have not had a lift to the airport since 1996. We have always paid to park or done taxis.

OP posts:

Twiglett · 04/07/2006 22:39

why don't they get a taxi?

she's your sister .. think you have to do it

but a bit cheeky

jil · 04/07/2006 22:40

Very cheeky.

We always pay to park.

Will they give you petrol money?

RubyRioja · 04/07/2006 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheBlonde · 04/07/2006 22:41

Make them get a taxi!

FairyMum · 04/07/2006 22:41

We always pay to park or use public transport/taxi. Any particular reason she needs a lift?

Scumster · 04/07/2006 22:41

They'll have to take a train, bus or taxi or pay to park, won't they? Jeez. I think it's amazing what people think they should have of right sometimes. I mean, if you could help her relatively easily of course you would but you can't. No biggie, surely? She's being unreasonable, imo.

Carmenere · 04/07/2006 22:41

I wouldn't dream of asking my sister to do that much driving - tell her to factor the price of a cab into the cost of the holiday.

moondog · 04/07/2006 22:43

Tell her to get a taxi selfish so and so!
I don't even pick my dh up from the airport any more when he flies in and out for work.

Honestly,how selfish!!

Chandra · 04/07/2006 22:47

It's not as if she is coming to the country especially to visit you. She won't get lost, tell her to get a taxi or take her car to the airport.

Original poster

Bozza · 04/07/2006 22:47

I haven't said that my friend is off work that week. The other option would be my MIL - but not sure how she is about having both kids on her own. Should be OK - she is youngish and fittish. But probably factor in extra hour driving there.

Other sister is single, taking them to airport and works full time but is on a course that day. I work Tues-Thurs so am off that day and it is the first day of the school hols. But also going to a bbq at PILs on the Saturday and Tatton Park flower show on the Sunday so fairly busy weekend beforehand.

OP posts:

WestCountryLass · 04/07/2006 22:48

Agree with everyone else. I would not dream of making my kids sit in the car for that long for nothing and I use my babysitters for emergencies which I wouldn't class this as. She should get a taxi or drive herself!

WestCountryLass · 04/07/2006 22:48

Marina · 04/07/2006 22:48

I think if they can afford a nice holiday in Canada they can surely afford a taxi, or do what the rest of us do and use public transport. The last time I checked apart from the beach at Benbecula most UK touchdown spots are served by trains, buses etc...
It is nice to help siblings, but not when it means massively disrupting your day. I think 4-5 hours in the car is pretty bad.

moondog · 04/07/2006 22:48

Bozza,don't even consider it!!!!

WestCountryLass · 04/07/2006 22:48

Original poster

Bozza · 04/07/2006 22:49

DH says that I wouldn't fit all 3 of them plus their luggage in my Fiesta anyway. My sister is not known for packing light. But my other sister who is taking them has a Punto so if they can fit in that....

OP posts:

Chandra · 04/07/2006 22:49

It does surprise me that so many people have to make arrangements and change their plans so she can avoid taking a taxi.

Original poster

Bozza · 04/07/2006 22:51

I don't think it would be a great journey by public transport tbh - especially after an overnight flight with a 17 mo. But would probably be about £50 in a taxi. BIL has relations in Canada which is why they are going.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bozza · 04/07/2006 22:53

Also Marina I agree about the time in the car. I do that sometimes in the car with my two but set off late morning so that DD can nap and then put them in pjs before coming back. DD would not be happy about long car journey straight after getting up.

OP posts:

edam · 04/07/2006 22:54

No, I'd tell her sorry but it's just not practical, what with your kids being on school holiday there won't be room in the car, and it would be really stressful for everyone keeping kids cooped up for so long.

V. cheeky of her to say you should leave your kids with someone else - really taking the mick, isn't she?

Original poster

Bozza · 04/07/2006 22:56

edam tbh I think she just realised my sister can't do it and then panicked and rang me because she knows I am off on a Monday and just hadn't given the practicalities a second thought. Then when I mentioned the kids that was the first thing that came into her head. She lives near family and in-laws so babysitting probably less of an issue.

OP posts:

saadia · 04/07/2006 22:56

I think that when people make their holiday plans they should take all these factors into consideration. I understand that the plan was that your other sister would do the trips but now can't, so it's not entirely their fault, and also that Canada-UK is quite a long flight but surely two adults can figure out how to get from an airport to their own home in their own country. And they are arriving at a reasonable time, if it was the middle of the night or something that might change things.

moondog · 04/07/2006 22:57

Jeezus,I regularly fly into Britain from Turkey (which involves three flights and overnight stay en route)with a toddler and a 5 year old and always get a taxi for my two hour journey home.

booge · 04/07/2006 22:59

My brother would tell me where to go and quite rightly. Tell her to drive and park or use public transport.

Melpomene · 04/07/2006 22:59

So a taxi would cost £50. If you drive them, you might have to spend £20-£30 on petrol. So the saving would be £20.

Plus you'd have to give up 5 hours of your time, plus 5 hours' of a babysitters' time (10 hours in total). Is it really worth all that hassle to save £20?

It sounds like a crazy idea to me. They should get a taxi.

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