what do you do in this situation as a lone parent??

[yertui]

Dc is 2. What happens if I am really unwell, ie a few years ago I was hospitalised with food poisoning and needed iv fluids etc. What happens to dc if I am unwell? I have friends obviously but I’m not sure I could just dump my dc on them for a week if I was severely unwell? I am not sure why I’m panicking about this but I really am. I don’t have any family.

DC would probably be taken into emergency foster care while you are in hospital.

@FrogFairy really? I feel better knowing what may happen but gosh it’s rubbish being in this situation!

My advice as a single mum is to invest lots of time and effort building up a community of friends who your kid knows well, and who you trust. I found that other single mums were the best, they got it, and were the ones who offered help most often. Helping each other out goes both ways, then you aren't asking such a massive favour. If you were in hospital for a week and didn't have anyone to ask, I think social workers would step in and arrange a temporary placement for your child.

@bunchofforgetmenots how do you find single parents? I am the only one in my friendship group and colleagues etc

if you hadn’t already pre-arranged for a friend to look after your child social services would try to find a friend if not it would be foster care. My sister had her friends 3 children for 6 weeks in these circumstances. If I was you I’d speak to a close friend to ask if they would in these circumstances

I'm a lone parent to 4 if I went to hospital my 4 kids would go into Foster care as I have no one that can have them. Minor illness I deal with at home. No point worrying about going to hospital its unlikely and never happened to me.

Gingerbread is a charity that supports lone parents. Get in touch with them now to start building up a support network

I am a foster carer and I had a young lad placed with me for 2.5 weeks a couple of years ago whilst his mom was in hospital. He didn't have any other family members who could look after him. His mom kept on refusing help for a long time and things got considerably worse in that time. Always best to seek help as soon as possible. He went straight back to his mom with care/support put in place once she was out of hospital.

I worry about the same thing as I don't know who I could ask. I suppose all you can do is try keep yourself healthy as possible.