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

[acassadei]

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? 😂

Also if I wanted a baby, I'd just get pregnant again and have one. I also know babies don't stay babies for long so whilst I absolutely adore them, I really couldn't face another two decades of child rearing

"Once the dc have left home, I'm not even having a spider plant"

Very much enjoying these vibes

Puppy, yup, baby, god no. I’d cuddle and check it as I phoned the police.

I watched that find my parents programme with Davina McCall, two Irish siblings were foundlings and discovered they were brother and sister. So sad.

Back in the day, my DH’s aunt adopted 2 children, barely needed to sign anything!

A colleague’s parents foster babies from addicts. They were driving down south to deliver one that had been adopted, I dunno how they could give them up, obviously they have to! I couldn’t foster a dog then give it up.

Cant stand dogs so would definitely not take in a puppy. Generally not a fan of anything which is another mouth to feed or something to clean up after.

She lived with my great grandmother & I believe had a good life - my gran had 13 brothers & sisters not all made it to adulthood, but she did

Depends how hungry I was.

Joking aside, I would call the police. If it was a puppy or any animal really, it would be coming in with me.

In this day and age, with all the legal processes in place, it wouldn't even be an option.

There is a novel.. the name escapes me right now. In this book, if a child is dumped on your doorstep, you have a legal obligation to take them in as one of your own.
You can also retrospectively abort an unwanted child up to the age of 16... they get taken apart for their organs.

No, but would rather take a baby than puppy. We have a (well-behaved dog) and I don’t get the love…

there are lots of illegal issues with adoption.

That organ thing sounds . . . disturbing . . . 😬

Playing devil's advocate - could you retrospectively "abort" the baby on your doorstep?

Yes like a shot. I'm 51, menopausal, my youngest is 11 but I'm perpetually broody. I'd love another baby.

No. I'm too middle aged and grumpy to cope with a baby or child full-time.