Would you accept a couple of days' job based on being on call for emergencies?

[namechange0123]

Briefly, I live in the North West with a 23mo DS. In laws from mainland EU semi-permanently with me as DH works away is only home at weekends.

I have to go to a conference in September in the south. DH planned a family trip around it - we would have gone all together and they would explore the town in the meantime. In laws excited to see something new and possibly with a better weather.

DH has now an unavoidable work commitment in the middle day of the three. Going back and forth from there for the day would be for him 3 hours by train each way. It sounds like I have to go alone and leave DPIL and DS at home, as DPIL don't speak English and can't even order a coffee without me or DH. But what about if an emergency happens? Say a fire, a flood, or DS gets ill and needs doctor/hospital ? (In the latter case I would surely rush back but it would take me 4 hours).

So I was thinking, and what about asking in the local groups if anyone speaks our language and wants to be paid to be on call as interpreter in case of emergency? Does it sound crazy?

Any other ideas? (Going with DS and paying a local babysitter? Meh)

It’ll have to be a paid role if you don’t have any friends who speak dpil’s language, and an indicator they need to find some. Would they really not manage on the south coast with them? What would happen if they went to a coffee shop?

Yes of course I meant a paid role. I have a local colleague of a third nationality who speaks our language too, but she is on maternity leave with a baby and a toddler so I don't dare asking.

They could come with me without DH, but can only say hello and bye...what would they do all day?

Can't they just use Google translate in an emergency?

Yes of course and they are actually confident they can manage here on their own - nursery is walking distance so they would take DS there anyway for most of the day.

But I am worried and would like to have someone on hand to help if needed. Would you advertise a paid role locally? (The person would never have to show up if nothing happens)

If this is a long term situation then surely they need to rapidly improve their language skills?
If they are confident they can cope with Nursery then they could tackle communication next.

Can’t you write an ICE note on the fridge?

Emergency: call (whatever you number is) and say this address for eg
Where you are and phone number

I did this for my DC when their dad worked away and they couldn’t remember details
I also told them to go to the neighbours for help if I was incapacitated

I think they will be fine and they’ll be able to get the point across if they need to.

Nursery know them, we often do pick up together . They could definitely improve communication, what discourages them is the understanding. Local accent is totally different to the school English you learn abroad. It took me more than a year to feel kind of confident talking to people!

The ICE note is a good idea too. We are friendly with the neighbours and they actually saved our house from an emergency a few years ago by sorting things out together with the cleaner who found out when we all were away for the weekend!

You seem far more relaxed than me at the idea of leaving DS here with his grandparents, it might be my anxiety (I'm coming off meds and it's turning out not easy...)

I could actually tell my colleague, she has her MIL over too...