Parents drop their teenager off friday night and want me to drive him home on sunday?

Question

okay, this is it. these parents that live 1 hour away drop their teenager off at my house on friday night about 9pm. i don't really even know them. our kids go to high school together. then, here it is 12 noon sunday and the mother calls me asks if my husband can drive her son half the way home. they never even say thanks for keeping their son here. feeding him and taking care of him. but she complains of how much trouble her kids are. i have boys of my own. i feel like a door mat. i would drive the kid home, but my husband and i are exhausted ourselves and we've had to keep kids entertained, which, i really don't mind. they aren't a problem to me. its the parents that i think are very selfish. i mean, why do you have kids if you don't want to be doing things with them?

Answer 1

If you feel you are being treated like a doormat, then it's time to step up for yourself. Call them back & tell them that you don't have time to drive THEIR kid home, & as pleasant as it was to have him visit, they will have to be the ones who come to get him.

Answer 2

i would just say that i am sorry, but we have plans, and won't be able to drive him

you don't have to say What your plans are... it isn't any of their business... i am not saying to lie... but if your plans were to stay home and relax on you day off, then that is what you should do

this is your family's time together (Sunday, a day off from work, usually) so, don't let her intefer in that

Answer 3

You're absolutely right. And, if it were just about you and the parents, I'd say just refuse to allow them to bring the kid again. But, there's a kid involved here. Did you stop to think that this might be the only chance this kid has to be in a good environment? Any parent who dumps her kid every weekend can't be showing that much concern during the week. Why don't you compromise. Call the Mom and tell her that he is welcome to come UPON INVITATION, that he can't come every week as you need to have weekends with your family alone. Then, ask him to come a couple of times a month. And try not to take his parents' boorishness out on him. God bless you!

Oh, and when they ask you to bring the kid home (or halfway), you do have the right to say no. And you don't have to explain why. But, you're likely to have him longer then.

Answer 4

Ok, this is my answer. Simply have your teenagers tell the other teenagers they are inviting to their home for a sleep over that since the host parents are providing the food/entertainment, the guest parents must provide their own transportation to/from the sleep over. Simple, simple don't you say?

Answer 5

I know parents like this too.  They almost feel like it's YOUR job to do 'whatever' for THEIR child.  

Rather I do it is based on:  How ready I am for the child to leave.  If you don’t drive him half-way how long will it be before she can come and pick him up?

Rather I do it on a continuous basis is based on:  How much I like the kid.  If he’s a good kid and therefore someone I consider to be a good influence on my children, I'll do anything I can to encourage/allow the friendship, because I'd rather my kids be hanging out with good kids than bad ones.

By the way, I assume you did give permission for him to spend the weekend with you.  If not, that's another issue.

Answer 6

The only way you can be treated as a doormat is if YOU lie down and let people walk all over you.  Which is exactly what you've done.  Did you tell these parents who drop their kids off "No" that you wan't drive their kids home?  If not you have no right to complain because you brought it all upon yourself.  Grow a backbone.

Answer 7

I suggest you be honest and tell them that you have been very busy with all the kids and are too tired to drive, if you do not say something now then chances are they will be pulling this stunt on you again.  I don't think they were intentionally doing this but I believe they did not put your schedules and feelings into consideration.  Also, I am pretty hopeful that a Thank you will slip out somewhere (I mean come on have some decency).  I am sorry you had to be in this situation.. but welcome to the club hahaha, it happens to me every weekend.  I have 8 siblings younger then me and there parents think I have all the time in the world for take them where ever.  People like us should start charging hahaha just joking.

Answer 8

Just tell the women how u feel and tell her u need to be paid for your service and gas money.  

Answer 9

This is an issue with the parents not the kid. Don't punish him because his parents can't do the right thing. When you open your home to kids, which is in your best interest btw, you get to pick up after then and entertain them. Stop acting like its a burden and a chore. Next time, spend some time getting to know the parents, and set some ground rules. Mine were, all kids had to be picked up by noon, and I would make sure the kids were up and fed and waiting for them.

What are you expecting thanks for, this sounds like a sleep over at your invitation. While the kid should thank you for a good time, you weren't exactly babysitting him.