A dear friend needs childcare for next week and her childminder can't guarantee her a place until the morning of the day it's needed.
It's a commitment she really can't get out of, and has been getting really worried about it. There's really nobody else who can help. So, I offered to step in and look after her toddling daughter if she's stuck on the day. Tbh I thought she would say thanks but don't worry (I know, a terrible basis for me to offer to help on, but it's true) - but she's now using me as a plan B and is really grateful.
The reason I'm worried is that I have a very active crawler and a 3 year old as well. Sometimes I find looking after the two of them SO difficult and feel like I need eyes in the back of my head. Vigilant as I am, the crawler has the odd little bump and fall now and then , as they do.
I'm panicking about how I'd cope with an extra toddler in the mix - esp as she may well be distressed about her mum not being there.
I've asked another friend round to help, but she wouldn't be able to get here until at least an hour or two after the extra kid would arrive. This all means I won't be able to take my own 3 yr old to nursery until help arrived.
AIBU to be worried about two hours of looking after 3 kids under 3 if I can get the extra help for rest of the day? (it's going to be a full working day)
And AIBU to think my good friend, the mum, should possibly be questioning how I'm going to get my own son to nursery that morning? (I usually take the double buggy for my 2 or take the car if lazy - but getting just my 2 into the car is tricky as I don't have driveway and need to shuttle run the kids from the house!)
I should add I'm not a trained childminder nor have any experience in looking after more than 2 tinies at once. I do want to help my lovely friend - but I'm nervous about the responsibility.
It's just way too late now to back out or start expressing my worries. Shall I just pray pray pray that her childminder has space on the day but be ready to pull it out the bag if not?!