to think that if mum has somewhere to sleep and so does the older child why is the 4 year boy sleeping on the floor????

[LoveBeingAMummy]

Just watched rich kid, poor kid from last night and can't believe that the little boy had to sleep on the floor whilst his mum and older sister had somewhere to sleep. It made me cry. Having depression is not an excuse to not have somewhere for your child to sleep.

It was on four last night, just watched on catch up tv on virgin.

He had somewhere to sleep. The floor, with a blanket on.

While not ideal he was loved, had clothes, food and warmth. Much more than many, many children have.

Didn't see the programme. Why couldn't he sleep in the bed with mum? I couldn't let my little boy sleep on the floor.

I agree, if I only had 2 beds but 3 people needing a bed then I'd either a) give up mine or b) Share the bed with the child.

Seems unbeleivable to me that a parent would let their child sleep on the floor and go and cosy up in their own bed

at Geepers.

I would not have anything unless my children also had the same be it food, clothes, somewhere to sleep.

It made me very sad. The little boy was delightful and whilst it was apparant that he was loved, he was quite clearly neglected and you have to worry for his future. He was so happy with his new bedroom, I felt really pleased for him.

That's my point, out of the three why was it the only child that ahd to do this, it didn't say how long he'd been doing it.

Geepers - I agree totally loved, and as the news has shown recently loved much more than many, which is partly why i didn't really understand it, and why it got me so upset. The fact he had a floor and blanket is not the point is it surely?

Didn't see the programme, I don't want to condone anything I haven't seen but all my dds love sleeping on the floor and usually sleep on the floor not in beds. We do have beds. They prefer the floor. They sleep next to their beds. I suspect many children are quite happy on the floor.

For that matter I'm quite happy sleeping on the floor myself. As long as you have covers.

unless the mother had a medical problem (back for example) then she should not be taking a bed if there is not one for her child. Parenting 101 - kids first.

Presumably the child was not sleeping on the floor of his own volition ?

imnotmamagbutshelovesme you don't need to pull shocked faces, it's the truth. It isn't ideal that he didn't have a bed, but it's not the end of the world either. There are more important things a child needs than a bed, and he is lucky enough to have most them.

mother seemed to be in an awful state, so maybe not thinking straight. maybe the child refused to sleep in with his mum or sister? he had a bed by the end of the programme though.

Wasn't it because his room was being decorated and his sister was building his new bed? Maybe his old one had just been thrown out before his new bedroom was ready.

I suspect it was the boy's choice actually.

It wasn't clear, but it may well be that the mother wanted him in her bed but he preferred to be on the floor. (My kids also love sleeping on the floor in their sleeping bags, I don't often let them.)

I was horrified because of the fact that there were 2 dogs there and a young puppy sleeping lower than them is an indicator that he's lower in the pack - potentially v. dangerous.

I was v. relieved that he had a bed in the end.

If it was his choice why did the sister get so pissed off at the film maker when she was asked about it and said it was making her mum look bad? She would ahve said if it was his choice.

No he wasn't choosing to sleep on the floor, he was sleeping on their because his bed was still in his box and his bedroom was undecorated.

It was very sad, his mother quite clearly had serious problems with coping, she hadn't even sorted out a school place for the little boy (aged 5) because she had missed the deadline for primary school applications. It was left to the teenager daughter to sort out.

The flat was not homely at all and no signs of any toys or childrens things at all. However at the end of the programme they had managed to get a government loan and they decorated the little boys room and bought little table & chairs for him.

I know that children don't need loads of toys etc but you have to ask how much stimulation he was receiving there.

have you ever been so crippled with depression that you can;t think straight? maybe that is why the child did not have a bed as the mother was simply not able to sort it. maybe the sister was mortally embarassed and therefore defensive.?

a bit less judging a family in dire straits, with a 17 year old girl trying to hold them together would be more apporpriate IMO, so YABU

Lulumama, you do have to "feel" for the mother she was crippled with depression and she did love her children, that was obvious. But love is not always enough it it? It is easy to see how things go wrong for children in those circumstances. Although as a previous poster said there are children with far worse circumstances.

I'm posting so I can understand better(that's why in AIBU and not TV), I've not had depression to that extent, have helped others through it so do understand to a degree.

The girl is amazing and i think that the mother and brother are very lucky to have someone with so much fight and someone who will stick with them and make it better, lots of kids that age would be more interested in going out and having fun and let mum sort it out. She had a plan and she made it happen.

Let's not forget she was with it enough to borrow £100 for her daughters birthday pressie, but still no bed for her son.

Lbam The mum quite clearly was depressed with impaired decision making and poor motivation

that is some explanation of her inability to prioritise.she has not shown appropriate impetus to act for her son's needs. her 15yo daughter has been propelled into caring nurturing role

i hope they get a benefit review check they receive all entitlements

mums social care package reviewed and additional help offered to support natalie and gabriel

holistic review of mums mental and social needs

The other daughter slept on a mattress on the floor I watched the programme and felt very sorry for the whole family. Also please point out that the daughter did do up the other bedroom for her brother and made a up a proper bed for him she is only 17 and has had to look after herself her mother and little brother from a young age.