To wonder how people manage with no help?

[InTheLightOfTheMoon]

I need to go out, my son is ill and doesnt want to come. I need to go so there is no choice. I will have to take him in the buggy (he is 4) and carry the baby in the sling (13 months) which I just know is going to be tough! How do other people manage with no help?

When I was single patent to 4 I just got on with it tbh, there's not much else you can do is there? Been there git thw t shirt it's tough, unforgiving and hard work. The plus side is you get all the good stuff too.

I still had a double buggy (though I rarely used it) when mine were that age. Otherwise the oldest would have stood on the back or sat on the hood or something, depending on the buggy.

I just got on with it because I had no choice. I lived in a flat with no phone, no car and two children.

It made me realise I could cope with just about anything.

I’m a single mum. You just cope cos there isn’t any other choice. It’s hard bloody work.

A double buggy for a 4 yo? hes going school in september. he hasnt wanted to use the buggy since 2.

I have 4 aswell. 2 older ones. Its true not much else but to get on with it.

We all just do the best we can. It's hard thougj

Double buggy and used corner shop

Had Phil and Ted so my middle one would often hop in with his baby brother even when he was in first year if school

When you say no help, do you mean partner / family? Do you have neighbours or friends that once in a while would run an errand for you or who could help you out?

DH was away this weekend and DS 3yrs old thought that would be a perfect time to get sick, the dog needed walking and we don't have a buggy. So i carried DS on the dog walk, it was tough but i kept thinking of all the chocolate i could eat once we got home as i had done a good workout! Im just pleased it wasnt raining.

No partner (ex is absent.), Dont know any of my neighbours (everyone very much keeps to themselves) Sister but she doesnt help out, Dad is disabled, and no friends.

I dont want to get a double now as doubt it would get any use, DS normally likes to ride his scooter so would hate being stuck in a pram.

Could you get a buggy board for the back of your buggy? They are quite cheap and I see lots of primary age children on them when I do the school run.

You make friends to help . When my Ds was a toddler I had a few friends who dropped in calpol and remember rice pudding

I literally cant make friends for the life of me! It just doesnt happen. Everyone said I would make friends when my children started school but that hasnt been the case at all.

Was thinking of a buggy board. I think I will get one.

Just as you are. Put one in the pram and one in the sling. If you have no choice you either find a way or you don't do it, or you order takeaway/online shopping.

We finally got a car in February though and that's helped immensely with 3 aged 5 and under.

When you say you have to go out today, do you really, or could it wait until tomorrow? unless its putting electric/gas on a key, I cant see much reason for going out unless necessary

How old are the older ones? Could they stay with the four year old at home?

I have no idea how folk do it but I do know they/ you are setting a brilliant example for your children in terms of being able to adapt and cope with diversity.

In a small way, I think apps help in this day and age. Amazon Prime, online food shop, uber, Facebook for finding local tradesmen recommendations, CBeebies games to distract toddler kicking off etc etc

*gah... adversity not diversity!

I am not a single parent but my partner works long hours and is often away with work; friends and neighbours can't always help at the drop of a hat so I have been in your position a few times. TBH all I could think of was how lucky I was not to have got rid of the buggy! I remember bundling my very tall, sick 7yo DC1 in the buggy in order to take DC2 to school... it's a pain but it can be done.

I am chronically ill. My dh has a full on job. Home deliveries for pretty much everything has been my friend.

Luckily I have his old buggy! He wouldnt fit in the babies pram (very tall for his age.)

I definitely need to go, had to go out yesterday but I couldnt as he wasnt well but was hoping he would improve by today, but he seems worse.

I'm guessing the older ones aren't old enough to watch him or do what needs doing?

I had one wonderful occasion when two of my four (at the time) had chicken pox, no help, no double buggy and had to do the Christmas shopping. I the baby in a front sling, toddler in a backpack, younger of the older two in the buggy, and one sitting between her legs.

It was horrible. But you cope. And now it's amazing what you can get online!

we manage as we have no choice ! we have no-one as my family live overseas and dh's live a couple hundred miles away and dh is away for work overnight, so its bloody tough.

if i'm very ill (happens once a year or so) or have a GP appointment (i have an on-going illness) i book extra nursery sessions and just stump up the £30 for a half day or £56 for a full day and drive to school on the school run although its very busy on the road and i hate doing it.

i still use a pushchair for a child who is fully capable of walking but kicks up a fuss. not all the time but when i need to get stuff done and dont want to fight or plead.

i would love to pop out to the city and browse/pick up stuff without a trail of "i want this" or pop to the supermarket or to the salon.

i would love dh and i just to be able to pop to parents evening together or pop out for a quick meal together.

we are very resourceful! people who have family must have less to worry about! i dont get any offers from friends as probably due to my illness, they know i can't return the favour back