Would you drive neighborhood kids who’s parents you do not know to school if they miss the bus?

[Anonymous]

Kids are elementary age. What would you do given this situation? Is this too much of a liability to take on?

[Anonymous]

No. Would need parents' permission to do so.

[Anonymous]

I would need to be in touch with the parents first, at least by phone. I don't mind driving them but I don't want to be accused of anything.

[Anonymous]

I have done this more than once but my kid was their friend and with me, and the parent might not know me but they know of me and if they had a phone I tell them to notify their parent or ask for the number to text them about the situation. One time DS offered a kid a ride and he said no his parents were coming. I took ds to school and drove back home passing the poor kid in a sudden rain shower but I had to drive home to respect that initial refusal and it would be creepy to offer again without ds with me.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

No, or I’d call the parents and offer.

[Anonymous]

I've offered in the pouring rain. And the family knows us well. Kids have followed rules to the letter. No getting in someone else's car.

[Anonymous]

That’s a tough one because if they’re little, I wouldn’t put them in my car without parental permission, but I also wouldn’t feel comfortable just leaving them alone. We had a small group of regulars at our bus stop (about a dozen kids) and the parents always chatted, so we got to know each other, exchanged phone numbers, and had agreements about who would look out for whose kids. I guess in your situation, I’d see if the kid knew their parents’ phone numbers or if any other adult at the bus stop did. If nobody did, I’d walk with the kid back to their house and see if an adult was home. If no adult was, I’d call the bus depot and see if they could send a bus back out and I’d wait at the stop with the kid. If that wasn’t an option, I’d call the school and tell them they need to get ahold of the parents and I’d let them know that if the parents called me, I’d be willing to drive their kid. If the kid was old enough to be home alone, I’d be okay leaving them at their house, but I’d still call the school and tell them they need to notify the parents about what happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've offered in the pouring rain. And the family knows us well. Kids have followed rules to the letter. No getting in someone else's car.

Same. I'm a PTA mom and know a ton of families superficially to well. Once or twice after offering I have followed up with a message to the parent saying, "hey, I pass by Larla walking home after I pick up Larlo, and would love to offer her a ride if it's raining since it's on our way. Just wanted to check with you first!" And parents have said they'll talk to their kids and let them know it's okay if Larlo's mom offers. Which seems like the right way to do it to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s a tough one because if they’re little, I wouldn’t put them in my car without parental permission, but I also wouldn’t feel comfortable just leaving them alone. We had a small group of regulars at our bus stop (about a dozen kids) and the parents always chatted, so we got to know each other, exchanged phone numbers, and had agreements about who would look out for whose kids. I guess in your situation, I’d see if the kid knew their parents’ phone numbers or if any other adult at the bus stop did. If nobody did, I’d walk with the kid back to their house and see if an adult was home. If no adult was, I’d call the bus depot and see if they could send a bus back out and I’d wait at the stop with the kid. If that wasn’t an option, I’d call the school and tell them they need to get ahold of the parents and I’d let them know that if the parents called me, I’d be willing to drive their kid. If the kid was old enough to be home alone, I’d be okay leaving them at their house, but I’d still call the school and tell them they need to notify the parents about what happened.

Do you... consider yourself to be a busybody?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would need to be in touch with the parents first, at least by phone. I don't mind driving them but I don't want to be accused of anything.

Same. Only with parents permission

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s a tough one because if they’re little, I wouldn’t put them in my car without parental permission, but I also wouldn’t feel comfortable just leaving them alone. We had a small group of regulars at our bus stop (about a dozen kids) and the parents always chatted, so we got to know each other, exchanged phone numbers, and had agreements about who would look out for whose kids. I guess in your situation, I’d see if the kid knew their parents’ phone numbers or if any other adult at the bus stop did. If nobody did, I’d walk with the kid back to their house and see if an adult was home. If no adult was, I’d call the bus depot and see if they could send a bus back out and I’d wait at the stop with the kid. If that wasn’t an option, I’d call the school and tell them they need to get ahold of the parents and I’d let them know that if the parents called me, I’d be willing to drive their kid. If the kid was old enough to be home alone, I’d be okay leaving them at their house, but I’d still call the school and tell them they need to notify the parents about what happened.

Do you... consider yourself to be a busybody?

DP - busybody?? This person sees a child in need and steps in to help.

You need to reevaluate your moral compass

[Anonymous]

I would and have when the kids were in elem. The bus not coming was a regular occurrence. People would group up and take kids to school in their cars. We pretty much knew all the kids at the bus stop but not all the parents.

A kid I didn’t know at all? Probably not.

[Anonymous]

No, not for elementary. I would for high school. Middle school...I'm not sure.

[Anonymous]

I have a s/o question about this which was a parent asked me to take their kid but I had already filled the back seat of my car with kids and I was uncomfortable putting a small child in my front seat (air bags) even though the parent said it was ok. I felt bad though and wonder if I just should have.

WWYD?