I would respond that DS would give the friend money at school. He is a year older but has several jobs (refreee, dog walker), as he prefers those to more typical clubs and activities. I have no issue with that, but I also expect him to pay for his own fun since he truly has more money than he knows what to do with.

I wouldn’t be upset if I got a text asking to reimburse. I would never send one myself.

I would just leave it. The parents likely assumed you were hosting/treating. Next time I’d communicate cost with the parents ahead of time

Next time I’d have the girls call or text their parents when you picked them up and they had no money. I have the ability to apply pay my kids. That way if their parent didn’t know about the plan they can know.. my 13 yo manages her social life and if a parent pays for her she texts me the parents Venmo herself.

Anonymous wrote:If you guys asked me for $30 I would think you were incredibly weird and cheap.

It’s not even remotely weird. Why does someone else need to cover the cost of your kid?

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t bat an eyelash about a text asking for reimbursement in this situation.

+1 The way to do this is to let the girls' parents know your Venmo account. This makes it easy for them. This is how it would be handled in our kids' social circles. It's normal for parents to cover for each other in the moment and get reimbursement later.

Anonymous wrote:I think your daughter was not completely honest about the cost

this, next time speak to the decision maker directly

Cost of doing business. Someday your kid may be in need and hopefully there will be a parent that can help out.

Make sure the kids have the money when you pick them up. At 13, I’d quickly verify the other parents know about the activity.

Don't take them anywhere again.

Next time, I’d say I didn’t have the money and ask them what they want to do instead.

You can ask, nbd. I will have been reaching out to you if I heard my kid went to activity and i didn't give them any money. Btw, I took my kids laser tag and it was $30 each.

13 is right on the cusp of being able to make these plans independently, but it might be worth following up with the parents next time to confirm the time you will pick up, the time you will drop back off, and to politely note that you agreed to drive, but the entry cost is X.

“Last Saturday, the girls decided they wanted to go ice skating. When I dropped them off, Sara realized she had forgotten her money so I loaned her $30 to cover her admission and rental. My Venmo is xxxxx when you get a chance.”

So if you are saying what the activity was, are you assuming they didn't already know? If so, I would venmo the money but politely ask for the parent to please not drive my child to activities in the future without a heads up to me. The money is not the issue, I want to know where my kid is and what he is doing, generally.

Did these girls parents definitely know they were going to do this paid activity and that you were taking them? That would significantly affect my answer on whether you should ask for reimbursement.