My DH's SN have prevented me from helping a woman in need

[BathshebaKnickerStickers]

Trying to cut it short - acquaintance I first met 12 years ago, she moved away, lost contact, met her in the street a wee while ago, gave her my number etc....

Her life is a mess. Too much detail would be identifying, but essentially it's a mess, mostly not of her doing....

She phoned tonight when I was dropping my youngest at an activity - she needed a place to stay tonight until she can get to the council offices first thing tomorrow.

I feel so upset as I had to turn her down. My DH is autistic and has social phobia - he simply couldn't have coped if I had brought a stranger home to stay overnight no matter how in need she was.

I had to turn her down - she was in tears and obviously desperate for a place to spend the night. I offered her sleeping bag/air bed etc if she can find somewhere to go but I feel helpless as I couldn't help her.

My DH is supposed to be away with work this week and if he had been away she could have come, but as he is here I honestly had no choice.

I don't have the money to pay for her to have a night in a b&b or anything, and she clearly doesn't have the money either.

[yellowfrog]

Don't feel bad, you couldn't have done anything else.

[JellyBelli]

Of course you are not being unreasonable. There are homeless shelters, and Womens Aid might have been able to fit her in somewhere if she was homeless because of domestic violence. Its not nice having to say no but sometimes you have to do it.

[MollyRedskirts]

It's not your fault. It's not your DH's fault either. It's just one of those shitty things that can't be helped. It's fine to be upset that you couldn't do more.

[TheoriginalLEM]

its sad for your friend but i wouldn't be happy with this either and im not autistic. Hopefully your friend will be able to find help.

maybe direct her to Women's aid who may be able to help her

[Daydream007]

Don't feel guilty. You couldn't have her at yours as your son couldn't have coped so it's not an option. Women's aid could find her a local safe house if she is homeless due to an abusive partner.

[Floggingmolly]

Your husband, not your son??

[Rochefort]

How would your dh have reacted? I agree he may not have been happy, but presumably he could have gone upstairs and avoided her. My ds is on the spectrum, doesnt like having people in the house but has to find a way of dealing with it as he has siblings who like to have friends over. Assuming your dh could have held it together and not had a full sutistuc meltdown i would have told him its just something he would have to endure for a night. Life is like that

[Rochefort]

Sustistic? Autustic i mean!

[Gazelda]

Poor woman. But you had no choice. I understand why you feel frustrated at not being able to help her. But you had no choice.

[Floggingmolly]

How does he react when your children have friends round?

[WannaBe]

If she's a stranger what do you know about her? I wouldn't have a stranger staying in my house either.
How has she ended up with nowhere to go? No family?

[OvariesBeforeBrovaries]

I think there's a bit of misinformation about autism on here... I'm sure if "getting worked up" was all that would happen, OP wouldn't have hesitated to let her friend stay. She clearly knows that her husband's reaction would have been extreme.

[Mishegoss]

It's weird to me that his social phobia and autism allow him to work away from home but not allow a homeless lady to sleep on his sofa for one night.. I obviously don't understand the nature of his needs though so I can't really comment on what I would have done. You must have made the right choice knowing your DH.

[dinosaursarebisexual]

Autism only deserves empathy if it's an autistic child? Or are they just getting ' worked up' too?

[WannaBe]

I also think that this isn't so much a friend as acquaintence if op had no idea she was facing eviction until a random phone call.

[Giselaw]

If it's your husband, then of course you have no right to bring someone into his home and cause him stress. It's not selfish of your husband to have a home that he can call selfish. How fucked up to call him selfish.

[Cookingongas]

Bathshe- you had no choice and have offered all you can.a listening ear, caring heart and friendly face mean a lot.

Ignore people saying your dh should have to suck it up- my dh is autistic- it would be impossible to have a stranger in distress with no notice. Dc friends can come over with notice so he can prepare. An unexpected guest without emotional baggage and upheaval- hard but managble. He can't possibly cope with an emotionally charged surprise scenario. His anxiety would be high for weeks- it could result in his remedication. His health is paramount to me.

[Giselaw]

That he can call safe.

My autocorrect really likes "selfish" doesn't it