TOTALLY GEEKED!

Exactly. My neighbor and I used to take turns driving our kids. She drove some days and I drove others. And, the kids had their share of days where they were dragging their feet. Finally, we just decided they will either get out there on time, we will beep once, then leave. So, we did. One day it was my turn and my son took his good old dang time. I left without him. When i got back he said, aren't you going to drive me to school? I said no. In fact, it's getting late you better start hoofing it. He said fine, he just wouldn't go to school. I said fine, you can spend the entire day with me cleaning the house and you can clean the basement. A min later, the door slammed and off he went, walking to school, lol.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Exactly. My neighbor and I used to take turns driving our kids. She drove some days and I drove others. And, the kids had their share of days where they were dragging their feet. Finally, we just decided they will either get out there on time, we will beep once, then leave. So, we did. One day it was my turn and my son took his good old dang time. I left without him. When i got back he said, aren't you going to drive me to school? I said no. In fact, it's getting late you better start hoofing it. He said fine, he just wouldn't go to school. I said fine, you can spend the entire day with me cleaning the house and you can clean the basement. A min later, the door slammed and off he went, walking to school, lol.

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 NO NO NO--you can't make kids walk to school.  That is child abuse.  <rolling eyes>

Well, we were close enough to do that. There are kids that couldn't walk to school.

Well, if my kids were crossing major highways or had to walk along some busy roads, etc, then no they would not walk to school.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Well, if my kids were crossing major highways or had to walk along some busy roads, etc, then no they would not walk to school.

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 That has nothing to do with how "close" you are to the school.  You could be right across a very busy highway from it and be within a few hundred yards. 

Yeah I wouldn't wait for the kids either. You are doing them a favor. The occasional lateness with a good reason is somewhat excusable but not all the time or even once a week. I would just tell the guy it isn't working.

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Well, if my kids were crossing major highways or had to walk along some busy roads, etc, then no they would not walk to school.

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 That has nothing to do with how "close" you are to the school.  You could be right across a very busy highway from it and be within a few hundred yards. 

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 LOL if that was the case there would be a crossing guard!

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 Not necessarily.  A major highway runs right be our school and there is no crossing guard. 

huskerbb wrote:

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Well, we were close enough to do that. There are kids that couldn't walk to school.

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 What's "close enough"?  Who gets to decide what that is?  

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  I don't think i would have my kids walking more than a mile or so.  So, no.

If dad is the reason they are late - making them walk wouldn't do any good, anyway.

huskerbb wrote:

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We don't really know the reasons. It also depends on how old the kids are.

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 Elementary school age.  Still at the age where he needs to make sure they are up and ready.

 

I would just tell him, "Hey, I want to help you out, but I can't have my kids late for school.  I'm going to have to start enforcing the leave time.  If your kids are not out to the car by 7:30, I am going to have to leave without them."  And then DO it.  Maybe wait until 7:31, but then LEAVE.  He'll be forced to be better or he'll drive his kids to school.  His choice.

Lawyerlady wrote:

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If dad is the reason they are late - making them walk wouldn't do any good, anyway.

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    Yes.  But, how they get to school if they arent' ready isn't the LW's problem.  Let dad figure it out.

huskerbb wrote:

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But why would that apply to all kids--just because you think that is "far enough"?

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   How would i know?  They aren't my kids.  I make decisions for my kids and you make decisions for yours.  See how that works?

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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We don't really know the reasons. It also depends on how old the kids are.

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 Elementary school age.  Still at the age where he needs to make sure they are up and ready.

 

I would just tell him, "Hey, I want to help you out, but I can't have my kids late for school.  I'm going to have to start enforcing the leave time.  If your kids are not out to the car by 7:30, I am going to have to leave without them."  And then DO it.  Maybe wait until 7:31, but then LEAVE.  He'll be forced to be better or he'll drive his kids to school.  His choice.

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 Exactly LL.  Just nicely be upfront with him.  I don't mind taking your kids but...  He'll either get it together and the kids will start being there waiting or he won't get it together and he'll have to take his kids to school on his own. If he's working as hard as she says once he has to do the driving himself he'll get it together.

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   Yes.  And why arent' the kids getting themselves ready.  If they are school age, they are old enough to get themselves a bowl of cereal and look at the clock and get out the door on time.  My mom worked when i was little and I had a ride and i had to be ready.

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 When my kids were younger I laid out their clothes the night before.  They knew where their lunch and backpack was.  I would put whatever cereal they wanted into a bowl and cover it up.  All they had to do is dress themselves and pour milk on their cereal and eat it.  They were fine.  Independence isn't a bad thing.