Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If you were faced with this question, what would you do?

134 replies

IAmADescendantOfSweepTheSqueakyLegend · 26/01/2025 19:02

If you were faced with the choice between saving your partner or a stranger's baby, what would you do?

OP posts:
GiddyRobin · 26/01/2025 20:15

Mrsdyna · 26/01/2025 20:13

I know, I think I would top myself either way.

Thanks for the horrible thought OP! 😂

I think either way I'd need a lifetime of therapy. 😂 Just asked DH, and he said "You". Then walked out then back in again with "Baby." Now he thinks he's getting a headache and has poured a glass of wine.
🤣

JandamiHash · 26/01/2025 20:15

My partner. My kids come first always I’m afraid

Mrsdyna · 26/01/2025 20:13

IAmADescendantOfSweepTheSqueakyLegend · 26/01/2025 20:10

Who knew? Everybody loves their partner.

I know, I think I would top myself either way.

Thanks for the horrible thought OP! 😂

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 26/01/2025 20:13

I think that I would want to save my husband, but in the moment with no time to think I reckon my instinct would be to save a baby.

LittleBigHead · 26/01/2025 20:11

The baby. An adult can look after himself.

But I agree - a really horrible question.

CobraChicken · 26/01/2025 20:10

I'd want to save my DH but I also know, 100%, that he'd genuinely want me to choose the random baby/child in that scenario.

Not sure what I'd actually do...

IAmADescendantOfSweepTheSqueakyLegend · 26/01/2025 20:10

Mrsdyna · 26/01/2025 20:05

Well after reading these comments, I know I'm not saving anyone on here's baby! 😂

Who knew? Everybody loves their partner.

OP posts:
Mossstitch · 26/01/2025 20:10

Baby every time! I mean I'm divorced but once on a very overcrowded water taxi with three very young children and a husband who didn't swim i contemplated who I would save .........partner didn't get a look in😳

Mrsdyna · 26/01/2025 20:05

Well after reading these comments, I know I'm not saving anyone on here's baby! 😂

IAmADescendantOfSweepTheSqueakyLegend · 26/01/2025 20:01

Han86 · 26/01/2025 20:00

Should this not be with one being genetically related to you, and therefore you save the one with your genes?

In the dilemma you present I assume it would be the baby as they are younger?

Nope. You pick your partner or a stranger's baby.

OP posts:
Han86 · 26/01/2025 20:00

Should this not be with one being genetically related to you, and therefore you save the one with your genes?

In the dilemma you present I assume it would be the baby as they are younger?

Sometimesright · 26/01/2025 19:58

ThatsNotMyTeen · 26/01/2025 19:02

My partner

Me too!

GiddyRobin · 26/01/2025 19:56

This is an interesting question actually, because we have two DC. So not saving DH would also hurt them as well as me, and obviously him. And I'd put my own DC over someone else's. But that isn't to say it'd be easy. Urgh, so tricky! I'm sticking on DH.

piggybackrideitallnight · 26/01/2025 19:53

I would choose my partner...not sure what I would do if it was a stranger's dog/hamster/parrot/terrapin though.

GiddyRobin · 26/01/2025 19:51

From the comfort of my sofa - I'd save my husband. In the actual scenario? I honestly don't know. I love my DH madly, but the idea of seeing a tiny little baby and not helping it? I just don't know if my heart would let me do it. But then again, I also can't imagine ignoring DH and saving a stranger.

Ultimately, I'd probably try and save both. Unless it was a gun to the head scenario and I physically couldn't. I'd save DH. I think.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 26/01/2025 19:50

Husband, no question about it.

Nothatgingerpirate · 26/01/2025 19:45

My husband.
🙄

batshitaboutcatshit · 26/01/2025 19:45

On app so can't vote but would pick my partner. Although I really don't know how my mind would work in the heat of the moment. It would depend on a lot of factors.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 26/01/2025 19:45

I'd do both, baby then parter, just because it's logical ... cant save partnervtgen baby due to weight

IAmADescendantOfSweepTheSqueakyLegend · 26/01/2025 19:43

DoubleDoubleDown · 26/01/2025 19:39

Is it?
I've never heard it before. Without any context, it's difficult to answer. Save from what? A burning building or from being excluded from a game?. Different answers for different scenario's.

One will die and one will live. That's it, really.

OP posts:
RawBloomers · 26/01/2025 19:43

I would have said partner every time. But as I’ve gotten older and I can see my partner and I aging, I could see a time when I might say baby. Still currently at the partner stage and will be for some time, but as I’ve aged I think I’ve realised I do see more value in the life of a baby who would likely live for 80 odd years over someone who cannot possibly live that long and probably only has a few years left, especially if quality of life is already seriously compromised.

Chaseandstatus · 26/01/2025 19:41

I’d save the baby’s life and I’d expect my hypothetical partner to do the same if it was me or the baby

Errors · 26/01/2025 19:41

LostMyLanyard · 26/01/2025 19:38

I'd tuck the baby in my very ample bra...and save them both 🦸‍♀️

The emoji at the end of this comment is my fave

sometimesmovingforwards · 26/01/2025 19:41

Pointless question.

DoubleDoubleDown · 26/01/2025 19:39

IAmADescendantOfSweepTheSqueakyLegend · 26/01/2025 19:14

It's one of the oldest questions going. And what you've all said is exactly why to consider it.

Is it?
I've never heard it before. Without any context, it's difficult to answer. Save from what? A burning building or from being excluded from a game?. Different answers for different scenario's.

Swipe left for the next trending thread