There is a detour on our main road that is causing the school bus to be VERY early and very late in the afternoons. My good neighbor has offered to drive our son to school this week so the boys do not have to get on a bus at 6:30 am and not get home till 4:30 pm. She also said if it goes well she may continue driving the boys to school for the school year and then let them take the bus home. I thought is was a generous offer but want to compensate her for driving my son. How much should I give if this is going to be weekly?
Thanks
(gas here averages $3.35/gallon and the school is 8 miles from our house)
Yes, she was already driving her son and offered to take mine since she is already going. She said she doesn't mind b/c it is on her way to work and she is already getting out the door at that time. I offered to pick the boys up from school, but I never have a guarantee I could do it everyday. So for now she is driving them in the morning and taking the bus home in the afternoon.
She offered, she's doing it anyway. I would graciously thank her, and occasionally give her a little gift (maybe a starbucks gift card, homemade bread/cookies, etc.). Don't make it too complicated.
If I were her I would more than likely not want anything since I'm driving my own child anyways. However, I would enjoy a gas, starbucks or some sort of pedi gift card. It would make me feel as if I wasn't being taken advantage of. I wish everyone had neighbors like yours :-)
She's not going "out-of-her-way" and she offered, so I wouldn't offer cash. I would, however make sure to thank her at the holidays with either a gas card or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Something small as a thank you periodically is more than enough!
Since she offered, I wouldn't give her cash. If I were her I would rather have a charged Starbucks card every couple weeks...if she "does" Starbucks. Or, a gift card for a local restaurant she likes. Don't waive a $10 bill in her face, she won't take it :)
I would give her $10 a week. That's only a dollar each way. Anything less wouldn't really help with the gas. Is your bus service free or do you have to pay for the bus? If you have to pay for the bus and then are able to drop the bus you should pay her what you have to pay for bus service. You said she offered to drive the boys to school? Just your boys? Her son and your son? If she is going anyway, I think $10 would be good. Or give her a $20 gas card every other week. If I did my math correctly, 8 miles each way is 16 miles a day and 80 miles a week! That's a lot! Here in Chicago gas is $3.99 - $4.05 it keeps changing every other day. Hasn't been less than $3.90 in I don't know how long. The biggest thing you need to ask yourself is, "Is it worth $10 a week to have your son leave at a normal time and come home at a normal time?" 6:30-4:30 is more hours than the average adult works in a day. Talk about burn out real quick... just sayin'.
If she is driving anyway then I would offer 5$ a week, or offer to take turns, or offer to bring the boys home. I like driving home...kids in mass let out info that your kid alone would never share...it is fun to get a peek into their lives.
How about $10 week.
If her son is going too though, it isnt really out of her way. Maybe get her a nice gift card for a pedicure or coffee instead every couple of weeks. Im sure she would appreciate the thought.
Hubby would drive our girls to school every morning, but the girl who lives at the end of the street would walk (we're walkers). Since it wasn't out of our way, just an extra 2 minutes to pick her up, we never expected or wanted anything, we just considered it to be helping out a neighbor. (Note: she would help me out occassionally to). At the end of the school year, she gave hubby a gift card for $25 at a local restaurant. We considered it to be very generous.
I would give her a nice thank you card and include a $20 gas gift card. See how it goes, how much picking up you do etc.
I would atleast offer her something. This way you show that you appreciate what she is doing. Even if she doesn't take it, atleast you offered. This way she can't say to her husband that she is taking YOUR kid to school and you haven't offered anything towards gas. Some ppl may not come off like that but you never know what is being said behind your back behind closed doors. Like the others said get a gas card or a dunkin donuts, or starbucks card. Just a little something to say thank you.
National gas reimbursement rate is 55.5 cents (might be more for CA??) At 16 miles round trip, that is $8.88 ($4.44 each way). But since she is going anyway, I would think $5 per week would work, or $20 per month maybe? Unless you start driving sometimes too, then don't exchange money.
is she driving her own son also? I would offer maybe 5 bucks a week.
Darn! Gas is cheaper in California than DC!! By at least 60 cents a gallon!!! WOW!!!
I don't know - i personally would offer to switch it up - you drive one week, I'll drive the next....so it all works out in the end...
If you can't do it - maybe $20 a week - I don't know...I've not had this problem....
A nice gift card or if you are picking up the kids and she drops off why do you need to pay anything? If she does all the drop offs and pick-ups that's different. Car Pooling is big in my area where parents take turns and money and gifts are not exchanged. So I guess it will depend on your permanent arrangement.
at least $5 per week, maybe $10 unless you are driving them home every day then nothing.
