To of told a lie to not collect her kids

[Guiltybutstuck]

I feel really guilty. A mum I speak to at the gates sent me a message an hour ago. Her youngest was being sent into hospital with a bad chest and she asked if I could possibly pick her two boys up from school. One is in my son's class and the other is older. I don't particularly know these kids other than if we walk up the road with them.

When I read the message the first thing I thought was we have a mile walk home and I don't think I can cope with a toddler and 3 kids with bags and drink bottles and coats etc. They all strip off and Chuck their bags on the pushchairs etc after school.

Also I'm having a really bad period. It's heavy and I'm already in a sweat about school run leaking. I am under the Dr for this and currently getting help and having scans etc. The thought of needing to dart to the loo with other peoples kids here that I don't know is a bit tricky.

My partner's working home today so needs the quiet.

Also it's pancake Day and I have only got enough for us four. My kids will need feeding around 5ish. There will be no telling when they will get back.

Also I would of needed to do abit of a mad hoover and tidy before the school run which I really cba doing today.

I said we were at my sister's tonight so wouldnt be going home. I did say I could nip them to a park for half hour to give them time to come back.

I feel so guilty. I just wasn't prepared and I don't really know them.

Am I a cow for not being more helpful? I was surprised I was the choice of help too.

a baby in hospital is a "drop everything and help" situation

Except apparently for the child's father, who only turned out once a virtual stranger had refused.

This. Why on earth is the OP been made to feel bad when it sounds like the children's own father was going to let stranger's pick up his kids rather than leave work himself to do it. Puts in perspective all the ridiculous suggestions that the OP's husband should stop wfh to pick up the kids himself.

Makes me realise you have to take opinions on Aibu / Mumsnet with a pinch of salt as there's such a huge disparity between what people claim they'd do and what they'd actually do in real life.

there's such a huge disparity between what people claim they'd do and what they'd actually do in real life

I am sure that's true of many posters, @Noconceptofnormal

However, I can assure you that I have done this, and more besides, with worse physical symptoms. I dare say that at least some other posters have, too.