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Original poster

If someone abandoned a baby on your doorstep, would you be tempted to keep it?

212 replies

acassadei · 03/02/2023 19:46

Inspired by the Dumbledore thread over in AIBU. Someone mentioned that (imaginary) Harry Potter was abandoned on a (imaginary) doorstep in November, and I felt a little stab of pure sadness and baby hunger. Should mention that DC1 is 6mo and I am VERY flooded with baby hormones at the moment.

anyway I know if someone abandons a baby in my doorstep legally I’d have to call the police and give it to social services, but I’d WANT to just keep it. And ethically, is there not some justification for that? Baby could just slot right into the family. Surely that’s less traumatic than going through the care system? You’d have to forge a birth certificate I suppose. But then you could just move right on with giving the baby a lovely life. No fuss, no mess, no drama, no tragedy. Would anyone else be tempted or is it just me? 😂

OP posts:
MrsMitford3 · 03/02/2023 21:06

acassadei · 03/02/2023 21:04

@MrsMitford3 it’s here

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4734845-dumbledore

all about how Dumbledore is a big old dick

thanks and 100% agree!!!!

Iwantabloodypizza · 03/02/2023 21:07

Yes.

Love babies, hate pregnancy and birth.

LunaAndHerMoonDragons · 03/02/2023 21:11

SleepingStandingUp · 03/02/2023 19:57

I have 3 yo twins, you'd be lucky if Iet it in the door. Or I'd swap it for the twins... DS would demand we kept it forever.

I was tempted to say I'd offer to care for it, but actually I'd sneak outside ring the police and hope they could pick up the baby before DS found out, otherwise I'd never hear the end of it. He's been asking relentlessly for a baby for years.

Cocobutt · 03/02/2023 21:12

katienana · 03/02/2023 20:12

I would feel like it was fate for me to love that baby. But knowing my luck rather than the whimsical scenario painted by a pp it would probably turn out like The Omen!

Oh God I didn’t think about that 😂😂

EffortlessDesmond · 03/02/2023 21:13

Probably not even slightly tempted, because I am 66. A few days I would quite enjoy. Parenting is a game for the young and invested.

Luckydog7 · 03/02/2023 21:14

@garlictwist

Well in this case he was offered the baby for some reason so i do wonder what the procedure is. This case was in New York so it wouldn't apply here anyway.

Google 'We found a baby on the subway - now he's our son' can't get a link to work.

ouch321 · 03/02/2023 21:16

No.

Babies are dirty, stinky little things.

Simonjt · 03/02/2023 21:17

If we ignore the complications of someone possibly needing medical care etc, then absolutely. My own son was temporarily dumped on me by SS, so I absolutely would keep and raise our surprise son or daughter if we could.

HashBrownandBeans · 03/02/2023 21:18

Well it definitely used to happen, my great grandmother died when my grandfather was 6 weeks old and the neighbour raised him.

Bimblybomeyelash · 03/02/2023 21:19

Nope. And I don’t think the care system is guaranteed trauma for a baby. A baby will get adopted. I have no reason to think that I’d do a better job than any potential adoptive parents. A 10 year old on the other hand…..yes the care system can be traumatising for them. And there are plenty of them who are on virtual doorsteps, and who need decent foster homes. And I might consider doing that when my own children are grown.

piggijg · 03/02/2023 21:22

It would depend. I would feel instantly bonded and would need to know if the baby wasn't to stay with us that he or she would go to good properly caring home. If not I would keep the baby even though we aren't young we aren't ancient. We are educated and loving with plenty of money to spare. I couldn't just turn away a baby. But I'd buy in a ton of help!

Kidsandcat · 03/02/2023 21:22

Yes I still have a lot of love to give. I have teenagers who I love to bits but miss being needed. Wish I could've had more children.

a1poshpaws · 03/02/2023 21:25

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/02/2023 19:58

Tbh I’d probably quietly move the cardboard box full of abandoned baby onto my neighbour’s front steps and ring the doorbell, make it their problem.

This made me laugh - a lot - but in fact I think that's exactly what in real life I'd be tempted to do.

butterfliedtwo · 03/02/2023 21:27

Nope. I didn't want babies when I was younger. That hasn't changed.

catandcoffee · 03/02/2023 21:29

Kitten yes
Baby no.

Prettypaisleyslippers · 03/02/2023 21:30

Did you see that story about a couple leaving the baby In tel Aviv airport? I wanted to offer to take the baby

Bluebellsand · 03/02/2023 21:30

I would call the police, but I would ask to keep the baby. Because I would be to worried about the biological parents returning. Not to mention, I don't know the baby's health status. Baby might be going through withdrawal of sort and I know I wouldn't be able to test/ diagnose baby with anything and provide the care it needs, without support.

knittingaddict · 03/02/2023 21:31

Not even a little bit tempted but I would enjoy a cuddle until the emergency services turned up.

thenightsky · 03/02/2023 21:33

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/02/2023 19:58

Tbh I’d probably quietly move the cardboard box full of abandoned baby onto my neighbour’s front steps and ring the doorbell, make it their problem.

I came on to post exactly that!! Grin

Itsrudemeghan · 03/02/2023 21:33

No sadly definitely would not be tempted, I’d enjoy giving them a lovely cuddle until the police came.

Thinking of the situation in Harry Potter and although I love darling baby niece, I wouldn’t actually be keen if she was left on my doorstep.

Emotionalsupportviper · 03/02/2023 21:35

LightDrizzle · 03/02/2023 19:47

Puppy yes, baby no.

Me an' all.

Puppy, kitten - in a heartbeat!

Baby - bring it in, clean it up if necessary, and keep it warm while waiting for police and ambulance. Probably would ask neighbour next door but one if she had a bottle of baby milk and a nappy I could have. No way would I feel the urge to keep it.

BalloonSlayer · 03/02/2023 21:35

It's a while since I read "Wild Swans," but I remember her describing the Japanese occupation of China, and how the Japanese rulers were detested. Then, when they were overthrown and being massacred, and the occupying families were being rounded up, some Japanese women left their babies on the doorsteps of Chinese families they knew to be kindly, in the hope they might take them in and bring them up as their own. Facing certain death, a last desperate act to try to save their babies. They hoped. . .

Rifalo · 03/02/2023 21:36

I'd cuddle the baby while I phoned the police. I'd want to keep it and protect it but logic would take over.
Also I have 3 of my own. That's plenty

Itisbetter · 03/02/2023 21:37

God yes! I’d adore a surprise baby.

Rosebel · 03/02/2023 21:39

I'd be very tempted, although I probably wouldn't have the energy for another baby. I do love the baby stage though and that's over for me.