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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:
diddl · 13/01/2011 16:36

"I could kick myself now!"

Oh, don´t do that, you couldn´t have known.

Woud it be awkward to visit her?

Perhaps you could send a note/present?

Original poster
PomBearEnvy · 13/01/2011 16:31

update

Well not really an update as unfortunately there isn't much to relay. I just wanted to keep you all informed, since I think a lot of you, like me, are feeling very upset and involved.

No news on the mum, she is still very poorly, but seems to be stable. The grandparents are keeping me updated as the hospital won't divulge any information to me.

Baby seems to be okay, grandmother has had to struggle to give baby bottle, so he's probably unsettled and missing his mum Sad
I got his age wrong yesterday hes infact 5weeks not three, although there is little difference really I suppose.
From what I gather (from GPts) mum moved into area in late pregnancy, to make a fresh start from ex partner, who had been treating her badly (I didn't ask as they are understandably upset but I suspect DV was involved Angry)
I didn't realise any of this as, as I have said she was just an aquiantance, and had only met her through baby group 3 or 4 times, she seems lovely and we swapped numbers with the intention to meet up. Had I realised she was feeling so low and isolated I would have made more effort, somehow life just seemed to get in the way.

I could kick myself now! Angry Sad

Thank you for all your kind comments, but they really are uncalled for, I did what every other person on here would have done in the same circumstances!

I don't think anyone would have turned away a tiny baby! The real stars are you lot with your help and support. Of course the most credit must go to the generous taxi firm, the driver, the MNer who although a complete stranger talked to me and reassured me that she could send help if it was really needed.

SO THANK YOU ALL XX (ohh I did kisses, most unMNetty Blush)

OP posts:
Anonymousbird · 13/01/2011 16:28

WOW, I have only just seen this thread for the first time. What an extraordinary sequence of events, OP you are amazing, so strong in a very difficult situation. And the others who have helped and advised,, the taxi driver, the anonymous poster's friend..... well, bless you all.

I have tears in my eyes!! Just hoping that the Mum is ok, and thank goodness the GP's were in a position to come straight over.

OP, you deserve a bloody medal.

Once again, the power of mumsnet. Smile

atah · 13/01/2011 16:25

I have never cried so much at anything I have read before and didn't think it possible to cry any more, until i read about the taxi driver then I sobbed out loud!
Who says society is selfish and uncaring?

Apart from the poor mother, who i hope will be OK very soon, this is such an uplifting story.

lady007pink · 13/01/2011 16:15

I've just come across this thread now - I'm crying my eyes out! Pom, you are wonderful as are all the Mumsnetters on here! It's so wonderful to know there are such good, decent people around.

I hope the baby's mother will be OK.

pozzled · 13/01/2011 16:11

I'm so glad that Pom got the help she needed and that the baby is ok and with its grandparents.

But how terribly sad for the mum- she must have felt so alone. I do hope that she is ok and gets the help and support that she needs. Those first few weeks are so hard even with a partner and family close by etc.

welshbyrd · 13/01/2011 16:09

Also forgot to say also anon MNer, who helped pom also needs to be wearing a halo today too

welshbyrd · 13/01/2011 16:08

poor mum,how awful, hope she recovers soon

Im thinking pom should be wearing a halo today, I know it was a bit panicky last night, but you did good by the baby, making it a fact that she left her baby with the right person

FoghornLeghorn · 13/01/2011 16:08

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted

Ladyofthehousespeaking · 13/01/2011 16:02

Wow, what amazing people!!!
Think the anon poster who helped Pom deserves a huuuuuge hug- what a kind person you are- you obviously will have a friend for life in Pom :)

it's incredible to think that all these seperate people were so kind and helpful, mumsnet at it's best :)

I hope the poor mum hears about this one day and sees that she doesn't have to be alone and there are many many kind people in the world x

maxybrown · 13/01/2011 15:59

Ah weel done Pom, been itching to get back to this thread an found out how it all went! Hope the Mum ends up ok Sad how nice though that she "trusted" you enough to have her baby sent over to you as she must have been having a terrible time, poor thing.

Louii · 13/01/2011 15:56

The poor mother, hope she will be ok. :-(

WimpleOfTheBallet · 13/01/2011 15:53

Ye Burn...it makes you feel a wee bit more secure really. Knowing there are people on here all over the country who would drop things and help a stranger.

I really hope the poor Mum is better soon. Love to the little baby.

BurnAfterReading · 13/01/2011 15:47

just come across this...words escape me!

Fabulous!

If this thread has shown anything it's that if all else fails, we have somewhere to turn in a crisis.

Well done PomBear and to everyone on this thread xxx

PatPending · 13/01/2011 15:43

Hats off to PomBear and all involved - another one with a lump in throat here (especially the taxi driver bit). Aren't people wonderful!!

That poor Mum - how awful. Sad

eastendmummy · 13/01/2011 15:33

Another one blubbing at the generosity of people - Pom you did an amazing thing, and I'm so glad that you had people that were able to help you when you were in such a difficult situation.

I really hope the mum is OK. I can't imagine what she was going through to be at the point of suicide Sad and thank god she's got family who are able to look after that tiny baby.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 13/01/2011 15:32

So glad this had a relatively happy ending. The poor mother, I really hope she gets the help she needs. It does sound as if you are pretty isolated that can't be good for your moods.
Well done POM

taintedpaint · 13/01/2011 15:26

I'm so pleased to see the update. Very sad circumstances for the mum (will be thinking of her :() but well done Pom, for everything you did, totally in awe of you today.

This is why I love MN. I think we all know now there is support from some wonderful people if we needed it. What a lovely feeling to know there are so many MNers willing to back you up.

DanceInTheDark · 13/01/2011 15:24

Oh gosh the poor poor mother :( I hope she gets the help she needs.

MumNWLondon....i disagree. I don't think everyone would have done it. I don't even think everyone on this thread would have done it!

Pom and Anon's friend - well done :)

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 13/01/2011 15:18

Moocowmrs - that is a great idea - I'm going to report your post, if you don't mind, to make sure that MNHQ see the suggestion.

And I DO think that Pom was wonderful, as was the mumsnet response, and it certainly shows how many good people there really are in the world - which we rarely get to see in the news, of course.

Thankyou for coming back and updating us, Pom, and how sad to hear that the mum is not doing well. Hopefully, though, she is in the right place now, and will get the immediate medical help that she needs, followed by longer term psychiatric and psychological help, and support at home, so that she can make a full recovery.

Pingpong · 13/01/2011 15:14

Have a lump in my throat reading all this.
Well done Pom and the MNers who managed to get help.

TheGashlycrumbTinies · 13/01/2011 15:11

Very well done Pom, hope the Mum is improving.

marriednotdead · 13/01/2011 15:05

Unashamedly blubbing through this thread.

No doubt you will say that anyone would do the same given the situation but

Pom, you're a superstar

GColdtimer · 13/01/2011 15:01

Pom, so glad the baby is being taken care of. Pom, when the mum is stable perhaps you could show her this thread. Perhaps seeing how many people cared about her and her baby might give her some comfort if she feels lonely and isolated.

everlong · 13/01/2011 14:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.