I’m a minor and don’t have a driver’s license. I usually get a ride to and from school from my neighbor, who also has a child that goes to the same school. I’m very grateful they help me out, and I don’t expect them to change their plans for me that’s not what this is about.
What upset me is the lack of communication.
On this day, they decided to check their child out of school early to do something special together. That’s completely fine. However, I wasn’t told ahead of time that they wouldn’t be picking me up. They sent a text around noon saying they couldn’t pick me up and that I should take the bus. My dad replied “ok,” but no one contacted the school.
Because of my state’s phone policy, I can’t check my phone during the school day. So I had no idea my ride had changed.
After school, I walked to the usual pickup spot and realized no one was coming. By then the buses had already left and the school was closed. I was alone in an unfamiliar neighborhood with no ride and no adult responding at first. That part was genuinely scary.
I ended up walking to a gas station about 3 miles away and eventually got in touch with my aunt, who picked me up. I got home safely, but the whole situation could have been avoided if I had been told earlier or if the school had been notified.
To be clear, I’m not mad that they had a girls’ day or that plans changed. I’m upset because I wasn’t informed in advance, which left me stranded and scared. I just wish someone had taken a moment to make sure I knew I didn’t have a ride so there was a backup plan.
Am I wrong for being upset about that?
This whole situation just scared me a bit really because I just feellikew safety was ignored idk tho ig
Also psa my phone was about dead when I was walking out of school because I forgot to change it the nightso that’s why I didn’t check it before
NTA. Your dad failed. He needs to know what to do if you don’t have a ride.
Info: do you and your parents not have a backup plan for when the neighbor is unable to pick you up? Bc it seems unusual that your parents wouldn’t try to contact you when they saw you hadn’t repsonded to the text even after school had ended.
It usually is bus as a back up but since I didn’t know I didn’t go to the busses I walked out to the place I get picked up at
NTA but your frustration should be directed towards your dad and not the neighbors. You don’t have any reason to be upset with the neighbors, they are doing you a favor. Your guardian is responsible for you and no one else. If they have trusted a neighbor and now the neighbor is unavailable then the responsibility goes right back to dad. This is not your fault but also don’t burn your bridges by being upset at the wrong people.
Nta but you have misdirected anger. Should be angry at your parents. Its their responsibility to update you and/or school about changes in plans.
Your dad was notified and did nothing to make sure you knew what was going on. Your dad was supposed to get in contact with you or the school so you would know to take the bus home.
You should be angry at your dad – he could have called the school and had them get a msg to you
NTA, but neither is the neighbor.
The neighbor let your dad know. Your dad should be aware enough of the school policy about phones to know that he needed to take additional steps.
It was his lack of communication that led to this.
I admit, it seems a bit unusual that there was no one left at the school when you realized you had no ride.
You need to be mad at your dad, bud. The neighbor told a parent ahead of time. Your parent didn’t notify the school. You have every right to be upset and scared, but only upset with your dad, not your neighbor.
I can’t stress this enough I do not blame my neighbors I know it’s not their fault and yes it was my dads fault for not doing more
I’m mad at your dad- he could have immediately messaged you this info and you would have probably seen it once the school got over (and hopefully before the bus left).
You really need to install the apps for Uber and Lyft cab shares for situations like these. Your dad’s credit card is the one that should be entered in the app’s wallet because he is the one who seems to be so cavalier about his kid’s whereabouts
You are not wrong to be upset about that. Your dad was the one in the wrong for not making sure that you received the word to get on the bus. Your beef is with your dad.
NTA but please make sure to tell your parents that they need to notify the school if something changes, so it doesn’t happen again. Also, get in the habit of checking your phone as soon as you can before you go to the pick up spot. You also need to be self aware since things do happen. I’m not saying that you are at fault, it was your dad’s responsibility to make sure you got notified of the change in plans.Now that it has happened be proactive for your own sake and safety.
Your Dad is TA.