Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

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:
whomovedmychocolate · 13/01/2011 22:36

Pom and anonymous mumsnetters - well bloody done.

You find out what people are really like when things go wrong and you really went above and beyond. Good for you.

And best wishes to the mum, poor thing. It's hard enough with a new baby, let alone in her circumstances.

emmanana · 13/01/2011 22:20

Oh Pom, what a lovely lady you sound! They say that kindness eventually comes back to you; well I hope it comes back tenfold to you and your family.

I had a major panic, when I checked for the thread in AIBU, and couldn't see it. I thought it had been pulled and couldn't imagine why!

It deserves to be a Mumsnet Classic. I also think they ought to have a Good deed of the Month Awards. Lets call them the Pommies! I nominate yours truly for the first one!

welshbyrd · 13/01/2011 20:28

Again, really keeps fingers crossed for poor mum

Pom- you have nothing to feel bad about. This mum trusted you with her 5 week old baby, I think that speaks for itself

Filofax · 13/01/2011 20:08

Well done Pom!

Been lurking and was looking for an update. Sometimes life throws you a wild card its how you react that shows the measure of your character. Good for you, and hope your new friend and her little one can be happy.

x

DayShiftDoris · 13/01/2011 20:00

Pom

I can safetly say it will have been the GP and comm midwives breathing a HUGE sigh of relief that the baby had been left with someone with such care, common sense and human kindness.

You should be very proud of yourself x x x

Well Done x x x

Honeydragon · 13/01/2011 19:56

Pom thanks for the update, you did brilliantly. And if your friend was new to the area its a huge compliment to you that she entrusted him to you Smile
Stop berating yourself.

ja9 · 13/01/2011 19:45

Wow! Been at work today... all caught up now. Quite a story! Well done POM and mystery MNetter...xxx

mumbar · 13/01/2011 18:47

Just read this whole thread and I'm blubbing like a baby.

It does show the power of MN.

POM can I just say - do not kick yourself, I think the fact this mum chose you when she was in dire need shows you have, in whatevr way, been a great friend and support to her - regardless of how many times you've talked to her.

Magna · 13/01/2011 18:32

Pom thank you for keeping us updated. I was lurking last night and have just read the updates which have left me with tears.

It just goes to show there are some amazing people in this world, yourself included.

Northernlurker · 13/01/2011 18:28

Pombear - you did enough. When she needed someone she thought of you and you did such a great job.

Midwife and doctor sound lovely too and as for the taxi driver and mumsnetter family - really good to know how warm people. When that little baby needed total strangers to go out of their way and help him they did. That's as it should be but it's also marvellous and affirming. I hope you have a peaceful night tonight, you must be exhausted!

PacificDogwood · 13/01/2011 18:13

You did Good, don't beat yourself up about something you could not have possibly known.

But I understand how you can feel like that: I have just found out that the family of my DS's best friend have been having a really terrible time for months and I had no idea Sad. I am not sure how to approach it as it seems that mum is trying to keep thing under wraps...Hmm

I hope the baby will come to love his GPs and will be reunited with his mum v soon.

AnnOnimous · 13/01/2011 18:11

What an amazing story of kind hearted people who have made a real difference.

Well done pombear, anon MNetter and the taxi people, they are fab.

Buda · 13/01/2011 17:39

I agree that you weren't to know that she was feeling so low.

Hopefully she will get the help she needs now.

I also agree with the poster who suggested you get her to come on here. If she has moved away from family and friends she must be feeling very isolated. Knowing that there are a bunch of vipers (!) on here day and night might help her a bit. You might need to namechange though or get this thread pulled if you want to stay anonymous.

Poor thing. She must have been feeling really desperate to do such a thing.

HibernoCaledonian · 13/01/2011 17:37

I was lurking on this thread last night feeling completely useless (not much I could do from across the Irish Sea :( ) I just wanted to say that I brought this to the attention of MNHQ for inclusion in MN Classics. I think it's the perfect example of how a crisis can bring out the best in people.

I hope it gets included.

Shewhoshallnotbenamed · 13/01/2011 17:00

Wow, only just seen this.

I agree that anybody in that situation would have done the same BUT you had the forethought to post on here and ask for help - I don't think that would have occurred to me.

This is really heart warming that the baby had so many 'strangers' looking out for him (her?).

Nice to see a 'good' story about SS too - they are few and far between and have a very hard job to do.

Finally, much respect to the taxi driver, how utterly wonderful.

Take some time to relax this evening Pom, you did everything you could and should not be thinking "if only I'd...." as hindsight is a powerful yet useless thing in such situations.

XX (I'm sorry, but this deserves a virtual kiss Wink )

Anonymousbird · 13/01/2011 16:58

Pom - no kicking of oneself allowed. Patting on back?? Absolutely.

Seriously, you could not have known.. Can you go and see her in hospital, or send a note/card, or may be just "be there" for her a bit when she comes out??

coatgate · 13/01/2011 16:54

Well done Pom. You could not have done more. Had a heartwarming weep whilst reading this thread. Hope your poorly DC is feeling better too Smile.

CatFlaps · 13/01/2011 16:48

Well done you're a star!! So nice to hear stories of people being kind. Glad all is okay!

maxybrown · 13/01/2011 16:48

Don't be silly Pom - how on earth were you to know - you were there for her last night when she did need you. Hindsight is a wonderful thing - you were never to have known anything like that!

Lotkinsgonecurly · 13/01/2011 16:45

Well done Pom. Fantastic effort. Glass of wine and quiet night in tonight?

Hope the grandparents are ok with the baby and the mum is ok too.

DirtyMartini · 13/01/2011 16:43

Oh, poor woman. Poor baby.

Pom, were the grandparents nice? Did they seem capable? Just thinking, my mum would have struggled to care for a newborn in such circs -- hope you felt they would cope ok.

And well done, again.

TeenageWildlife · 13/01/2011 16:43

When she comes out of hospital she will have a great friend in you.
Who was the taxi firm? The taxi driver deserves recognition!
I feel so sad for the grandparents - what a shock to find your daughter in this state and be caring for a teeny baby.
Well done Pom - this is the other Pom story then! Smile

Stac2011 · 13/01/2011 16:42

pombear you are amazing and do not be kicking yourself. The mum will get the help she needs. The anon mumsnetter and her family that helped also deserve a medal. Fantastic people restoring our faith in others. Awk i'm blubbing again. Any news please let us know pom x

wukter · 13/01/2011 16:39

DON'T kick yourself PomBear - look at all you did for that lady. You came through when she needed you, when her situation came apparent. You're not a mind reader but you are reliable & good-hearted. Thank goodness the mum already had your measure after only a few meetings. Smile

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 13/01/2011 16:38

oh the poor woman Sad