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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

microfight · 29/04/2011 20:09

I would call another neighbour to do it

emsyj · 29/04/2011 20:12

Can you create yourself a listening service? Ring yourself and connect a call from your mobile to your landline and leave landline receiver as close to DCs as you can (if you have a cordless then just outside the bedroom?) and take mobile with you?

Just a random idea!

I would probably do it, but take as little time as poss. Don't wash p the cat bowl etc, just get the cat in, shut window, throw down the food and water and leg it out of there.

frazzle26 · 29/04/2011 20:13

It should be fine. Just be 100% sure you've got your door keys beofre you leave the house.

Wallace · 29/04/2011 20:14

Go.

It will be fine.

olibeansmummy · 29/04/2011 20:14

I think you'll be ok, just be as quick as you can and lock them in. Even if they wake up by the time they've come round and got out of bed to find you you'll be back

heliumballoons · 29/04/2011 20:15

I would. DS (6yo) is a sound sleeper when asleep. I would be quick though and probably run over put food in, go back and check then go over to shut the cats in.

missmyoldname · 29/04/2011 20:15

I would do it. Lock the DCs in, and do as emsyj says and do the bare minimum and be super-quick.

OR could you do it when your DH gets back, or leave a note asking him to do it if he's back late.

Goblinchild · 29/04/2011 20:15

I'm a bit shocked that so many think it's OK to leave the cats until morning, despite the OP having promised to care for them.
Either wake or carry the 3YO and go and sort them out if you can't ring someone and ask them to come over and sit for 15 mins. Or phone someone and get them to feed the cats.

GoodnightNobody · 29/04/2011 20:16

I wouldn't.

Can your immediate neighbour help you out by staying at yours while you go?

Goblinchild · 29/04/2011 20:16

Are you supposed to check the cats are indoors overnight? Even more important that you go then.

StatelyPoshBeartrothal · 29/04/2011 20:16

Probably better to ask someone to sit in your house - the neighbour asked YOU to go into her house

chickchickchicken · 29/04/2011 20:19

i would go. its only 3 doors away. also window is open so presume their house isnt secure unless you go and close it.

perfumedlife · 29/04/2011 20:22

Granted, the neighbours house isn't secure with a window left open, but how secure are a five and three year old left alone for ten minutes, about three houses down? It only takes a minute for disaster to strike.

I would either leave the cats/window or call for someone to sit with the kids while you go. Can't see how the kids safety is worth the risk.

Clary · 29/04/2011 20:22

I would go too, as seeker and wallace say.

But then my DC are a lot older and I have no compunction about leaving them for a lot longer.

DH is away this weekend and I am pondering going for a run this pm with the DC in bed. For half an hour! Shocker!

(Actually I won't, but only because I haven't told them. They are 11, 9 and 8 btw)

Clary · 29/04/2011 20:23

What kind of disaster do people really think is likely to strike two children fast asleep in their house in 10 mins? Especially if they are sound sleepers, as OP says.

tralalala · 29/04/2011 20:24

oh go how very unlikely that they will wake up, and even more unlikely that anything bad will happen in those few minutes.

As risk assessments go it is pretty low down, probably walking down the street is more dangerous, or getting in a car, or on and on

JamieAgain · 29/04/2011 20:27

I would/have

perfumedlife · 29/04/2011 20:27

What kind of disaster can strike two cats who have already been fed today and have water?

Risk assesment, children or cats.

chickchickchicken · 29/04/2011 20:29

cant believe how paranoid some people are! surely its only similar to go to the bottom of the garden and do some gardening. you wouldnt hear them straightaway then and may be a few minutes till you heard them, washed hands and put tools away etc before you went back in.

FessaEst · 29/04/2011 20:30

I am quite paranoid usually, but I think I would go and sort the cats. I would set up a listening service on my mobile as already suggested, or ring my parents and get them to sit and listen (mad, but would make me feel better). I think the chance of something happening to the children in less than 10 mins, (bet you could be super-quick) is minor compared to the risk of the cats getting lost/injured/the house being burgled/rain getting in after window being open all night.

I would probably knock on my immediate neighbours door and get her to stand in my front door for the few mins it would take.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 29/04/2011 20:31

Yes, I'd do it, but don't leave the door on the latch.

Can you call your mobile from your house phone and leave it off the hook, so if either of them do wake or anything happens you'll be able to hear it straight away?

Goblinchild · 29/04/2011 20:33

'What kind of disaster can strike two cats who have already been fed today and have water? '

Killed by cars, much more likely at night. Likewise being eaten by foxes.
She trusted the OP with her pets, so that's a responsibility.

seeker · 29/04/2011 20:34

Whicdhj is more likely - that two cats, not used to being out at night will be hit by a car if left out, or the neighbours' house will be burgled because the window is left open, or that two children left alone asleep in theri beds for 10 minuts will be abducted by aliens?

Risk assessment - children or cats? In this particular case, cats wiln, hands down.

Goblinchild · 29/04/2011 20:34

xpost again my lovely, this is getting to be a habit.

perfumedlife · 29/04/2011 20:39

Of course op has a responsibility to the neighbour, but cant conceive that it trumps that of her responsibility to her children. She made an error not doing it before their bed time, the ten minutes it takes will be the longest of her life, full of nerves and what ifs. The only truly safe way to deal with it is get a neighbour to sit in her house while she sees to the cats, or take the kids.

Leaving children is taking a risk, whatever the likelyhood of any disaster, aliens not included.

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