Need advice how to handle a delicate situation with my carpool!!!

[rbuzzotta]

We moved last November and I found myself without my carpool for my oldest DD. A friend of my DD's mom offered for her DH to pick Stephanie up as they drive by my house every morning. It works great as I have to get the other 2 DD's ready for school (all schools start at different times)

Anyways, I just got a letter from the Principal stating my DD will get detention if she is late one more time. She is in 6th grade and has never been late without an excuse before (ie MD appt.).
Today, my carpool came late again.........I gave her a cell phone to call should she get detentiion.

How do I tell this woman and her DH (who have really done me a great favor) that I will be taking Steph to school myself from now on. I really like the parents and the girl, but it is stressful to me and Steph with her being late. The other girls home room teacher does not send her to the office if she is late but DD's teacher does!!! Therefore, this girl will not get detention and Steph will.

It is going to be difficult for me to get my other DD's out of bed in the morning as one has fibromyalgia and it takes a while to get her up and moving!! I am sure I can handle that with going to bed earlier and start waking her up earlier..........

I truly appreciate the help I recieved from this carpool and don't want to hurt feelings or make bad blood between us.

thanks and sorry for a long post!!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Rosemary.. I think the best way is to just lay it on the line.. Thank them profusely for helping you with carpooling your daughter......and then I would just share the principal's letter with them, not blaming them.. just sharing and that since your daughter is so upset and does not want detention, it probably is best that you take on driving her to school......maybe you could offer to take their child as well in your carpool since they have been driving for a while.. sort of your turn...

You know them best, hopefully they will understand how upset children get when getting detention and take it from that standpoint.. Good luck...

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I think I would just say to them that while I really appreciate the help that they've given, things have changed and I will be driving DD to school. If they ask why, you can either tell them the real reason, that she is going to get detention for lateness, or just say that you would rather not go into it.

I think you need to make sure DD is on time, at all costs.

 

[kdibattista]

Be honest... tell them that you really, really appreciate the help but you will have to take her because she is getting in trouble for being late.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks for all the replies. Honesty is the best policy. I just don't want to hurt their feelings. I do know they have difficulty with their DD getting ready in the morning and being on time. I just don't want them to get angry with her!!

 

[believe]

I agree that I would just say you are going to start driving her to school in the morning and explain the difference in teachers. It may also help them in realizing that next year they might not be so lucky and get moving to being on time. You could also give them a thank you gift to show you aren't upset with them.

 

[CamColt]

That is tough. I do agree with the others, be honest. Mention how your DD's teacher is a stickler for being even a few minutes late, and its causing a problem for your DD. And again, thank them for the favor they have been doing, but it just isnt working for your DD.
Good luck!