C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 This summer, my DD goes to gymnastics 5 days a week. On the way back, I bring another gymnast to her home, because it's in the middle of the day and both her parents work. The parents don't reciprocate, but I'm fine with that. The mother did say at the beginning of the summer that she would give me something for the cost of gas but not the amount. I told her it wasn't necessary because her DD lives on our own way back. The only difference for us is that I have to drive along a road that has stop signs every two houses, instead of along the boulevard with synchronized lights. Other than that, they're parallel roads, so it's not a detour. Well today she handed me a card with the gift she had in mind. I expected around 10$, maybe 20$, because really, I didn't spend that much gas on her daughter, just a few extra stop signs. Well, in the card was a prepaid card for 100$ gas! It didn't even cost me 100$ to get my own DD to gym! My car is as fuel efficient as I can hope for, short of an hybrid. I know that family is well off. They live in a almost-castle, and just bought a brand new Lexus. They travel abroad many times a year. They're leaving in 2 weeks for 2 weeks at Disney World... In short, the life I used to have before we decided to cut my salary by staying home! LOL... I know it's not a financial strain on them to hand out 100$ to someone helping them. But it's *way* over what I spent in both gas and time! I thought of returning the card, but that doesn't sound very gracious, does it? So far, I think I'll accept the card, and even use it. But I'm at a loss at how to say thank you! Should I give them a little something back to express my thanks? Even if it's homemade cookies? They probably rarely have those, because the parents are always gone, especially the mom but that's an assumption. Or should I return the card (which is pre-paid) and ask for less? That sounds crappy, doesn't it? Oh what to do??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate CA Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I would be grateful and accept the card. You may insult her if you try to return it and really, gas is very expensive and she is expressing her thanks. I would leave well-enough alone and enjoy the card! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Mouse Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I think the card is a way of the mom saying "thanks" and not just as a reimbursement for gas used. Enjoy the free gas :D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Just send a note thanking them for their generous gift. They probably weren't giving you the $100 gift card to reimburse you for gas as much as showing you how much they appreciate your help. Apparently, they were very appreciative. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdWTMer Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Accept it graciously. It's a gift. Don't feel guilty. Since she is a working mom, it is worth that much to her that you did this kindness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The card is to cover the gas *and* the help in getting her daughter home from gymnastics. That would have been a huge headache to try to deal with if you hadn't been there for them. Also, for folks in their income bracket $100 is pocket change. Just keep it and be grateful that she is as thoughtful and kind as she is. Sounds like she really appreciated your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Send a card or a card & cookies...just enjoy their gift to you! They are showing appreciation for your time, effort, and kindness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneymom Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I too would just accept the card. I'm sure that they really appreciate what you are doing for their dd. It is hard to find someone that is willing to drive every day. My girls both go to gym four days a week and I am lucky that I can take them myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clwcain Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 She's giving you a gift, not repaying you for a service. Accept graciously, since it is the place of the gift-giver, not the recipient, to determine the appropriate value of the gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Another vote for "keep it!" We did this for a family once. Ds 10 was on a tournament baseball team. Their practice facility was 45 minutes away. Practice was 2 hours. It was a HUGE pain for us to have to take him. So, we asked one of the coaches if Andrew could hitch a ride with him. Near the end of the season, we gave the coach a gas card that was more than what they spent to get there and back in gas. It was more of a thank you for all you did for us than the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 :iagree: Keep the card. They are thanking you for the generous gift of your time, use of your auto, child care, and obviously felt it was a blessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paula j Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I agree, keep the card. She probably is very thankful that you helped her out. Perhaps her dd would not have been able to attend without the help you provided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camibami Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 How cool! I vote to keep it and send a short thank you note. I wish some of the (much better off, 2 parent working) families that are always dropping their kids off with me or insinuating I pick up their child too "because I'm not doing anything" would do that! Heck, I've been hit up for free tutoring because we homeschool, childcare, driving kids places- all for free, because I "have the time". I do it if I want to, I don't if I don't, but rarely am I even thanked, let alone like that! I don't man to imply that I *should* be paid or anything, just the assumption that I can drive hither and yon for these people (basically a free nanny because our children are friends) gets a little old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I agree with the others, keep it. It's worth that much to the other mom, not just for the gas, but for the time she would have had to spend driving her daughter back and forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyBlueLobsters Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The card is to cover the gas *and* the help in getting her daughter home from gymnastics. That would have been a huge headache to try to deal with if you hadn't been there for them :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ticklbee Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 One more vote to keep it. And truly, I do not think you need to send a note to thank them for thanking you...;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 :iagree: with everyone here. Keep the card! She is thankful for more than just the gas. It was your time and energy too. She was very thoughtful. Enjoy it!:001_huh: I am not sure how you can enjoy a gas card, but you know what I mean.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie in AR Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Another vote to graciously accept the card. You've provided a tremendous service to their family, and she wanted to express her appreciation. We were once in a similar situation. We gave a weekly ride home to a boy from one of our sons' activities. We drove right past the boy's home on the regular route, so it was no big deal at all for us to stop. At the end of the season, the family gave us a gift card. At first, I felt odd accepting it, but then realized they just wanted to show their appreciation. I did send a note of thanks to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Accept it graciously. It's a gift. Don't feel guilty. Since she is a working mom, it is worth that much to her that you did this kindness. Absolutely. You did her a great kindness and she is repaying you the best way she knows how. Thank her and enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey in TX Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 The gift card is not about paying her share of the gas. It's a gift of appreciation, allowing the DD to attend gymnastics while the parents work. The pre-paid gas card is a whole lot cheaper than hiring a taxi :) Know that you are appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staci in MO Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 People who helped me out in ways like this were a tremendous blessing. It's probably more than just the money. Like another poster mentioned, this may be the only way that her dd can participate in this activity. The parents are grateful and want to express their thanks. Accept it graciously and send a nice note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Maybe to her $100 is like $20. Anyway, she obviously appreciates your TIME in dropping her kid off, and is glad to know her kid is safe and sure of a ride home with you. After all, you do deal with those stop signs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Just accept it as a gift. Perhaps you can help her out in the future with bringing her daughter home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie1961 Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 For sure keep the card. Regardless of whether you actually spent that much in gas, you have definitely helped this family. I think it is their way of "really" saying thank you for them not having to make arrangements to take off work to pick up their daughter. I would mail them a thank you card and leave it at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Oh what to do??? It's a gift -- just say, "Thank you!" It might seem like it's too much, but it isn't. She's thanking you for more than just gas, etc -- she's thanking you for your kindness. Since they are so busy, would their daughter be able to go at all if not for you? Perhaps this is what she is thinking of and trying to show you that she appreciates your thoughtfulness. It isn't the amount that's important -- "it's the thought that counts." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 One more vote to keep it. And truly, I do not think you need to send a note to thank them for thanking you...;)This is what I was thinking. When you give someone a Christmas present, and they say thankyou, you don't need to say thankyou for thanking me. You gave them a gift of time that they weren't able to do themselves. They are thanking you. If you thank them and give them cookies or something....sure it's a nice gesture. But then they may feel they have to thank you for thanking them for thanking you................see? :001_huh: :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadiegirl Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Keep it and drop a note of thanks. If your kids attend the same classes or activities, there will probably be another time when you can do her a favor as a thank you. Enjoy...with the price of gas, that amount doesn't go to far!!! That was really nice of her to think of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom to Aly Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I agree, accept it, and send a thank you card for the generous gift, and tell her what a pleasure it has been to have her daughter spend the time with you, showing it was in no way a burden. She is not only thanking you for gas and time, but for caring enough to care for her daughter and ask nothing in return. Not everyone would be as generous with their care and time as you were, and she wants to show her appreciation. I think she has done something wonderful and appropriate for someone in her situation. Enjoy it :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 She's giving you a gift, not repaying you for a service. Accept graciously, since it is the place of the gift-giver, not the recipient, to determine the appropriate value of the gift. Well said. I agree keep it and enjoy it. (do you know how valuable it is to have someone trustworthy to cart your child around?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_parkin Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 i would say thank you! And be very thankful that she appreciated what you did for their family! -rebecca- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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