Dropping off a kid when you can't see them enter their home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get out of the car and walk the kid with your kid.
How is this even a question.

And no carpooling again as the other mom is absurd to not give her kid a cell phone if they are alone at any age. Or she can come down and get her kid.

It's a question because many kids walk home alone in fifth grade.

[Anonymous]

Omg he’s ten or eleven. I walked home from school in dc starting at eight. I had friends taking the bus in fourth grade. It’s fine.

[Anonymous]

For a one-off situation I’d do #3 but this is not that.

The kid is in 5th grade, this is a regular and planned carpool and kid is old enough to get into his home alone (same as many kids do when being dropped off by the bus). The bus driver isn’t responsible for the kid once dropped off- the parent is. KWIM? It is his parent’s responsibility to ensure he gets in safely. Mine had to call/text me at that age, and we added a keypad entry lock in case of a lost key etc. Things like that.

I’d just explain to mom upfront that you will need to drop off and go, so you aren’t late to pick up your other child- so that she is aware

[Anonymous]

#1 for sure, I’m not even sure why this is a question the kid is in 5th grade. Just ask them if they have their keys, if they say yes, off you go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does the friend have their own cell phone?

They don't, they have some kind of watch but I think it only has certain allowed contacts

Ask their parents to add you as a contact so that they can text you when they’re home inside. Or, if they have a landline have the child call you when he is safely home.

I always watch for my kids friends to make it into their houses, so this is what I would do for your situation.

[Anonymous]

double park and watch kid enter front door. Block traffic if yu have to. The kid is 11! or 10!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:double park and watch kid enter front door. Block traffic if yu have to. The kid is 11! or 10!

I would probably do this. You won’t be towed in that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:double park and watch kid enter front door. Block traffic if yu have to. The kid is 11! or 10!

I would probably do this. You won’t be towed in that time.

(But I am not in hysterics over the kid’s age. I’m sure he would be fine if you dropped and left once he’s in the building. Just text his mom.)

[Anonymous]

Does the kid have a cell? Are they comfortable going in by themselves? IF yes and yes, then tell them to text me when you are inside your apartment with the door locked - you have three minutes, go!

[Anonymous]

4 just for the first couple of times, then 2 then 1.

[Anonymous]

#3

[Anonymous]

#2, I'd send my kid to make sure they get inside. You don't need to go all the way up.

[Anonymous]

I would probably send my kid to the main door this time, but discuss with the parent for next time.

[Anonymous]

Ordinarily I'd say #1, BUT I would either ask him to pull out his key before he leaves your car or not pull away as soon as the kid gets out. Sit for about 3 mins? Enough time for him to at least get in the main door. That way, if there's an issue with the key, he can come running back. But I mean honestly, he's in fifth grade. I had to sit outside waiting for my mom to come home when I left my key at home ALL the time in 4th and 5th grade when I came home on the bus, and I lived.

Because you offered to walk him in, I think this first time, unless you hear back from the mom, I'd do #2.

[Anonymous]

I like option 2 - you know they got in the building. They are in a safe space (people around, protected from the weather) if on the off chance soemthing goes wrong with them getting in their actual unit. You could also make sure they have your cell to call you (i'm sure there's a desk phone around) if something did go wrong.