Drink Driving..

[scruffscat]

Dont know if this is in the right place,...here goes.On sat.night my 16 year old son went to baby sit his cousin,my sisters lad.I asked him, when he got back home if he stayed the night there,or went back to his dads house,he told me he went back to his dads house.I asked him if my sister gave him enough taxi fare, and he replied that her boyfriend gave him a lift home. They had both been out drinking and i am not happy about it.I know he drink drives but really dont know what to say or how to confront them about this.What would you say ? TIA

[redcrx]

grass him up next time you know hes drink driving! Thats the best way to stop him, he obviously doesnt care about others so why should saying anything stop him?
Might also be wise to give your son enough money for a taxi and remind him of the dangers of getting in a vehicle with someone who has been drinking.

[divegirl]

Hi, don't be ashamed or scared to confront him....he is the one in the wrong. Agree and disagree with redcrx...make your son aware of the dangers, but don't let him babysit for your sister again...she should have paid for the taxi, how would she feel if it was one of her kids lives put in such danger? Sorry, but drink drivers are scum in my estimation. As for how to confront them, as I said....put their childs life in the same situation as they put yours!

Lisa x

[banjosister]

Hey Scruffscat,

Is it not possible to have a chat with your sister about this and ask if she would be happy if it was her child in your son's situation? In future, if you and your son are still happy for him to babysit tell them that they must give your son enough money to cover taxi fare.

If it really is too hard to speak to either of them face to face I would write a letter. Initially write down everything that is going through your mind. When you are finished put the letter away for one day. Read it the following day and make any adjustments you feel are necessary. Try not to be accusing as this will only put them on the defensive.

Hope this helps, good luck xx

[Goodsoulette]

tell them you wont have your son babysitting for them if they cant provide a place to stay or pay for a taxi when they have been out on the lash. It is not bloody acceptable, you get tanked and ask to drive her kid around. Bloody idiot. Drives me mad. If she gets funny about, its not your problem.

[winny]

Agree in the main. Have a word with your sister and refuse to let him baby sit without taxi fare. Remind your sister drink drivers rarely kill themselvs it is always the other poor sod that ends up dead. I have no patience for these people but understand it is hard when it is so close.

Above all make sure your son knows you will stand by him and if he has to ring for you to collect him or you have to give him the taxi fayre you will if he needs to refuse a lift.
If it happens again after words then you may have to get tough.
It amases me these sort of poeple will also do this with their own children in the car let alone anyone elses!!

[Mammar]

I agree - especially with Banjo's approach
However, the main one to talk to is your son.
He needs to know he did the right thing in telling you and should be applauded for that but there are going to be many other occasions when he is going to be offered a lift by people who have been drinking. The sooner he knows that he should never accept a lift from them the better.
Tell him the consequences in no uncertain terms and that it makes him more of a man if he refuses. Tell him to ring you or someone else he trusts if he's really stuck or make sure that he always has enough cash on him for such a situation.
This way you can be sure he's always going to be safe from this particular problem.

[scruffscat]

Thankyou all for your replies, this has gave me some ideas to tackle this problem xx