So DH and I got asked this some time ago and I'm genuinely interested to see what other people would have done in the same situation, as it came up in conversation at work recently and there was some debate!
A family member and her DH were sorting out a will and rang me to ask if, in the unlikely event both of them died, would we take in their 5 children.
At the time they were all under the age of 10. (18 months, 3, 4, 6 and 8). They were specific in that they would not want the children splitting up, it would have to be all 5 together. 1 of the children also has special needs.
To give context, we aren't massively close to this family member (as in wouldn't choose to socialise together etc) however we are what you would consider "close family" and see them a handful of times a year at birthdays, Christmas etc. and we would definitely have a sense of responsibility towards them.
At the time DH and I were living in a 1 bed terrace, no kids of our own however were thinking of starting a family of our own in the next couple of years. We both work full time and have good jobs.
We obviously gave this very serious thought and consideration before giving our answer and felt honoured that we had been asked.
But we also felt it was a very huge thing to ask which also would have very obvious life changing implications for us and our own future.
But they do have other family who see the children much more regularly, the kids are more familiar with etc in terms of thinking what's best for the children.
So I'm interested - what would you have done?
I'd also love to hear if anyone has asked the same / similar of anyone else, and what your thoughts were at the time?