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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:

sugarfree · 05/07/2006 14:04

But SD why should she pay half the parking?It's not her responsibility.

noddyholder · 05/07/2006 14:05

A bit cheeky and typical of some people who think being family obligates you and it doesn't You have kids and will be running around like a blue arsed fly on the day they return trying to sort things while they arrive back from a rest to a chauffeur!They can easily leave the car at the airport You will spend lots in petrol too

Original poster

Bozza · 05/07/2006 14:38

It is Manchester airport and they live in north east Lancs. I live near Wakefield. Nephew is 17 months.

OP posts:

hotmama · 05/07/2006 14:43

I can't believe that you are even considering this!

Your sis is such a cheeky cow and expecting you to sort out childcare so you can fit others in your car - is quite frankly unbelievable.

It's not as if she is doing a cheepy easyjet holiday and therefore every penny counts - she is going to Canada - which I imagine isn't cheap!

When I go on holiday (what are they again!) I factor in carpark/taxi fares - they are part of the holiday costs ffs!

Tell her naff off!

Original poster

Bozza · 05/07/2006 15:05

To be fair they are not rolling in it. My BIL got 5 numbers on the lottery which I think is funding this hols, plus free accommodation with family. But agree about including it in holiday costs.

OP posts:

fattiemumma · 05/07/2006 15:10

to be fair if i were going away i would ask one of my family members to dro me off/collect me but i wouldnt ask someone to put their own children with a minder in order to do it for me.

if they couldnt do it wiythout upsetting their own routine i would get teh train/taxi or whatever.

i dont think you shouyld feel obliged to colect them. she is your sister and as such should understand that you have two chidlren to care for.

Chandra · 05/07/2006 16:58

Manchester airport is very well connected, and trip train there is dead cheap compared with other international airport train fares. Perhaps they could do what all the rest of the mortals do and take a train and a taxi home?

I think the amount you are going to spend in petrol could well pay for one person return trip (it should be around £15)

Chandra · 05/07/2006 16:59

Ah... and the train lives you right in the middle of the airport so no excuses about being difficult to get. There are direct trains to Leeds at least every hour.

Alan · 05/07/2006 17:00

Bozza, tell her to pay £50 for the fortnight to park her car in the bloody car park!

puff · 05/07/2006 17:42

The other thing to consider is that this kind of favour can often be seen as setting a precedent, so you get asked every year thereafter.

The airport parking is very reasonable IMO or she could shop around for competitive taxi fare.

Original poster

Bozza · 05/07/2006 21:51

Right well after all that angst on my part and all those stern words on your parts she rang tonight and spoke to DH (I was busy) to say that she had managed to make alternative arrangements.

OP posts:

eidsvold · 05/07/2006 22:28

Bozza - when we took dd1 back to Australia to meet my family - there was no way we would have expected someone to take us to the airport and pick us up again - we just left our car at Heathrow long term car parking and commuted to the airport. We were gone for 2 weeks and the cost was more than 64 quid. One income and not a lot of money ( and no lottery money to help) but just budgeted for what we needed.

Cheeky and selfish imo.

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