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Original poster

To wake four sleeping children, then drag them to the shop in the pouring rain?

411 replies

PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 21:08

Okay I need advice, have posted here because its the busiest place. My Dc are all sleeping, aged 7yrs nearly3yrs and 18months.

I have an aquaintances newborn with me who I am looking after unexpectedly after a frantic phone call. Newborn is three weeks old, mum has been taken ill, rushed to A&E. She is a single parent and has no family nearby, I only know her through mother and toddlers.
Baby was dropped to me half hour ago by her very elderly neighbour, there was no-one else to take him when she was taken ill, he would have gone into emergency care Sad

I have nappies and clothes, but baby is usually breast fed. I am no longer feeding any of mine. I dont have formula.

Its pissing down outside, all the kids are fast asleep and will object to being woken or walking anywhere,I dont own a double buggy, no longer have a sling, and dh is working away.

How the fuck am I gonna get a newborn a 18month 3yr old and poorly 7yr old to the shop and back. aggggghhh!

Its a 6/7 min walk there, I could run in under 5mins, should I do that do you think? Leaving them sleeping? Or waking the seven yr old and talking to him on the homephone from my mobile? would that be insane? or is it more insane to try and get them all up and there with only one buggy and torrential rain.
Someone HELP!!!

OP posts:
cat64 · 15/01/2011 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

coldtits · 15/01/2011 16:39

this very poorly lady correctly identified you as the nicest and most sensible person in the area, so you MUST be very clearly a good person!

b1uebells · 15/01/2011 16:37

Thanks for the update pom, I check the thread everyday for updates :)

GwendolineMaryLacey · 15/01/2011 09:36

What an amazing thread. Well done Pom and everyone involved.

chimchar · 15/01/2011 08:59

great news about the mum pom....hope she recovers well.

you are a lovely lady pom....you must have earned yourself many karma points!! Wink

good on you.

thederkinsdame · 14/01/2011 23:46

Pom, you are a true friend and I think you are a star for what you've done. Well done!

DirtyMartini · 14/01/2011 23:38

Thank you for updating us.

I agree with whoever said the taxi firm and/or driver deserves some sort of recognition. Maybe we need an MN New Year's Honours system with suitable prizes. Free advertising on MN? Or maybe just a bumper pack of little tree air fresheners?

Amiable · 14/01/2011 23:10

Wow, just wanted to add my heartfelt conratulations (there must be a better word which I can't think of!) for your actions, and also anonymous MNer and her family. You are all real stars! I was in tears at the story about the taxi firm too - it really restores my faith in humanity when I hear things like this.

Also, just wanted to say how great it is to see how many suggestions and offers of help this thread raised. This sort of emotional & practical support is exactly why I joined MN nearly 5 years ago. Smile

AnnOnimous · 14/01/2011 22:50

Well done you Pom, what a friend you are being to this poor mum.

And well done to your new chocolate bearing buddy too, what a friendship to encourage!

HippyHippopotamus · 14/01/2011 22:44

i'm speechless at how amazing MNers are

pom, really hope baby's mum continues her recovery. i can't even begin to imagine how awful she must have been feeling. i'm so pleased she had you to look after her son for her

PacificDogwood · 14/01/2011 22:37
Smile

What a way to make a new friend Wink!

FabbyChic · 14/01/2011 22:34

Glad to hear the mum is on the mend, real sad the circumstances of her hospital stay.

You are a true star.

The grandparents seem to be coping at least she does have family who will support her.

Hope the baby is good for you tomorrow.

Take care.

StealthPolarStuckSpaceBar · 14/01/2011 22:31

\lovely to hvae an update. So sorry the mum is still serious though :( How are you getting on? CAn't imagine looking after someone else's 3wo!
On another note, the poor mum must be so engorged :(

pozzled · 14/01/2011 22:28

Thanks for updating. Glad that the Mum is out of the danger zone now. You're doing a great job- I bet the GPs are very grateful that they have someone in the area who their daughter trusts, that they can turn to.

Original poster
PomBearEnvy · 14/01/2011 22:22

update
To anyone still following thread.

Mum is still in serious condition in hospital, but is out of the 'danger zone'. Hopefully she is on the mend physically, although will obviously still be in a bad place emotionally Sad

I am going to be looking after baby again tomorrow as Grandfather is heading back home to bring back clean clothes etc, and Nanna is understandably wanting to stay with mum.

Am emotional just thinking about the little mite, although he seems oblivious to everything happening around him apparently, I just hope that everything turns out okay in the long run Sad

Oh and on a nicer note, I got to meet anon MNers sister today! She came round with a lovely box of chocolates and I bribed her into staying for a cuppa and opening them with me Wink. Lovely lady (and hopefully a true friend in the making! ) can you tell I dont know many people here Blush

Thank you for the continuing support you lovely ladies xx

OP posts:
GentleOtter · 14/01/2011 19:23

Pom, you have been amazingly calm in a really tricky situation. What a moving thread.

I hope the mum gets the help she needs and that she recovers quickly.

Sparkletastic · 14/01/2011 19:20

well done Pom - so good to have faith in human kindness restored Smile

ChippingIn · 14/01/2011 19:17

Pom, thanks for the update.

Of course you weren't to know she was in a bad way :( Hopefully now she will get the help she needs.

imustbemadasaboxoffrogs · 14/01/2011 19:10

Wow pom you are amazing.

Blubbing and smiling at the same time.

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 14/01/2011 17:41

ignore the troll everyone.

SophieDaisyMegan · 14/01/2011 17:39

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

Northernlurker · 14/01/2011 17:30

Hope all are ok.

grumblinalong · 14/01/2011 16:32

Pom - if this woman trusted you and thought so much of you that you were the person she named as the safest person for her newborn baby to go to you should not be kicking yourself. If someone entrusted their child with me when they were feeling so vulnerable and lost I'd pat myself on the back and think I must be a good human being. Well done and I hope this situation has a happy ending for the mum & baby. With friends like you I'm sure it will.

LoveBeingADaddysGirl · 14/01/2011 06:39

Wow and Sad

pom don't kicked yourself, the truth is if she was that down a coffee with the kids is unlikey to have changed that.

Mn at it's best.

Poncherello · 14/01/2011 05:43

Pom just checking in for an update - hoping you, mum and baby are doing ok. Am wiping the tears away at such a story of human kindness, team spirit and support. All involved deserve to feel like they made a big difference to help someone in desperate need.

As an aside been on MN for years and never clicked that x's weren't the done thing - who cares you all deserve them so here's some more xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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