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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to leave the DCs in bed alone while I go next door?

70 replies

FollowMe · 29/04/2011 19:46

Am in a dither.
Am feeding neighbours cats this week, usually take DCs with me or go when DH is home to keep an ear out for them, but DH gone out and I just realised I havent fed the cats yet.
Dcs are in bed.
WWYD? Am thinking of waiting an hour to make sure DCs fast asleep and then going over to sort cats out. Will take about 10 mins.

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 29/04/2011 19:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hassled · 29/04/2011 19:50

I don't think I'd do it. If they wake in a panic, 10 minutes is a long time to be wondering why the hell they're alone in the house.

worraliberty · 29/04/2011 19:50

Depends really...they could be 18yrs and 21yrs for all we know Grin

Original poster
FollowMe · 29/04/2011 19:51

5 and 3yo

3yo is already fast asleep, 5yo has AS and often takes a while to settle down, he is still bouncing around his room upstairs. I'd never go until he is totally asleep as too risky, but once he's asleep he'll be fast asleep till morning

OP posts:
StatelyPoshBeartrothal · 29/04/2011 19:53

Think this is one of those situations where you will get a 50/50 split
How close are the 2 front doors? Are you attached to next door? Would you leave your door unlocked? When will your DH be back - could it wait? Do you have a baby monitor?

perfumedlife · 29/04/2011 19:54

Hungry cats or distressed children? No contest. Wouldn't leave them, but I am massively paranoid.

They will be fine until the morning.

usualsuspect · 29/04/2011 19:55

I would go

hairylights · 29/04/2011 19:56

Absolutely no way. They are too young.

ullainga · 29/04/2011 19:57

cats who haven't had food for a whole day compared to a chance that the DS would wake up exactly during those few minutes and wonder where you are?

Go feed the cats.

80sMum · 29/04/2011 19:58

If they reliably sleep soundly, I would go once they're fast asleep, as you suggest.

Grumpla · 29/04/2011 19:58

10 minutes to feed some cats? Really? Just to chuck food on plate / refill water bowl?

I'd just nip in and do it. Take a baby monitor if you have one. Though if one of them starts yelling you'll hear them through the wall anyway.

I think it is a bit out of order for you to leave the cats with no food and water tbh, you promised your neighbour you would look after them.

Obviously if you live half a mile down the road then things are a bit different...

Original poster
FollowMe · 29/04/2011 20:00

Its about 3 doors away. DH away till Monday, so cant wait for him to get back!
I'd leave door on the latch, no baby monitor...
I'm supposed to get the cat in, feed them and then shut them in overnight. If I dont go the window will be open all night that cat gets in and out of during the day... plus cat will be hungry Confused

OP posts:
parakeet · 29/04/2011 20:00

I would do it if they don't usually wake up.

chocadoodle · 29/04/2011 20:02

It depends how far your next door neighbours actually live? If you're semi-detatched I'd do it as it's not like you'd be venturing far. Only as a one off though and I would be rushing to do it in less than 10 minutes.

If you have to walk a bit to get to their door though, I wouldn't. Leave it til morning or wait til DH gets back.

StatelyPoshBeartrothal · 29/04/2011 20:03

3 doors away...not sure I would actually
Can you ask any other neighbours to come and si with your DCs in that 10mins?

PiaThreeTimes · 29/04/2011 20:03

Feed the cats, of course. You could do this in 5 mins.

Original poster
FollowMe · 29/04/2011 20:03

They will have water, its always still nearly full, I just refresh it.
Theres a bowl of cat biscuits that I top up, never empty and a dish of cat food that I wash up and then put more out
I fed them this morning, due to do it twice a day...

Am still waiting for DC1 to go to sleep and then will decide for definite...

OP posts:
chocadoodle · 29/04/2011 20:04

Just read your update. I wouldn't leave the door on the latch. What if one of the children wakes and comes looking?

If I was doing it I would definitely lock the door behind me.

Although as it's 3 doors away, I'd probably leave them til morning and take DCs with me.

PiaThreeTimes · 29/04/2011 20:05

TBH, if I was in that situation and you were too worried to leave them alone for a few mins (I know the feeling - I've never left mine home alone), then I'd get them out of their beds and take them with me.

You can't let a cat go with no food and water and you can't let you neighbour down - this is their cat, it's important.

pink4ever · 29/04/2011 20:06

No dont leave you dcs alone(they far too young). The cats will be fine if fed this morning and have water. No contest imo.

icooksocks · 29/04/2011 20:06

Depends how reliably your children sleep? Mine do sleep reliably and I know I could go 3 doors down to feed a cat (I am a mid terrace though).

PiaThreeTimes · 29/04/2011 20:06

You've made a mistake - get the DC out of their beds and take them with you.

compo · 29/04/2011 20:08

Yes I would

seeker · 29/04/2011 20:08

Go.

It will be fine.

WhiteBumOfTheMountain · 29/04/2011 20:09

Cats wont die overnight...they'll catch a mouse or visit a neighbour. If thety are indoor cats they will be rude to you in the morning. That's all that can go wrong...however if you leave 2 small kids alone...well...

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