Offer a ride?

[Anonymous]

It was pouring this morning. My neighbors have a middle schooler. I do not know them, but I recognize the child. As I was driving this morning, I saw him walking in the rain to school.

I went back in forth in my mind whether to offer him a quick ride to school. I did not. A) I'm a stranger to him. B) He'd have to sit in the front seat since I have 3 carseats in the back.

Would you have chosen the same? I felt badly since it was raining, but I thought he'd feel uncomfortable if I did stop and offer a ride the remaining 4 blocks to school. I also thought about the remote chance that I got in to a wreck with a child in the front seat of the car, and thought I'd better choose the safest option.

[Anonymous]

Good neighbors, absolutely, but not in your situation.

[Anonymous]

No. You’re still a stranger and should not be offering him a ride. At most offer up an umbrella, but don’t feel bad if you don’t and it’s completely unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

I would not offer because you know you're a stranger to him. Then I would make it a point to get to know the neighbors better. Once you do, you could offer to the parents that if their child needs a ride and if they feel comfortable with it, you don't mind. If he's a middle schooler, front seat is fine.

[Anonymous]

Given the situation, I think you did the right thing, but I appreciate that you thought about it and wanted to give them a ride! The world needs more people like you.

[Anonymous]

I think you made the right choice.

I know my MS walker would have declined. She's been told that the only person who can give her a ride is a specific neighbor who will sometimes drive her daughter if the weather is very bad.

She has, however, had someone toss an umbrella out of the window at her once. She forgot hers because it wasn't raining when she left but a downpour soon started. Too far from home to turn back, she just trudged on in her hoodie. She said she wasn't even sure if it was a man or woman in the van, but it beeped at her, she turned to look and an umbrella came flying out of the window. She said the driver waved and went on, so she felt it was safe to go pick it up.