If you're a widow or widower.....

[MummyDoIt]

Who do you put as your next of kin? I had to provide this on a form recently and was stumped. Technically, I suppose it's my eldest child but he's only 6 so not much good contacting him in an emergency. I put my mum in the end but she lives 250 miles away so, again, not much good in an emergency.

I just put my dad. Or maybe my sister.

I guess my sister might be a better bet. I'm assuming they ask for next of kin in case of dire emergency and Mum would be no good as she doesn't drive and couldn't get to whereever I was. Sister is almost as far away but at least could drive to me.

i dunno the answer to this one, my kids are i suppose my next of kin but they are not able to make decisions or choices so i couldn;t name them, i am going in for an op very soon and i need to check what i can do about next of kin. i am hoping that i can put my best mate down.

I have my mother as my next of kin, my sister who lives with my Mum is my sons legal guardian and shares custody with stepson.......

I cant remember in 9 years being specifically asked 'next of kin'. I was asked who I wanted my pension at work to go to and named my son. I've also been asked contact details for pre-school but NOK has never come up

it does come up with medical stuff, it just make things feel a bit crap, i have no family and since my DH died and his family caused so many problems it is a real worry it is just me and the kids.

Yes, mine came up in a medical thing. It really made me worry. Suppose something goes wrong in hospital? My kids are left with no family closer than 100 miles. Who are the hospital supposed to contact to take charge and sort things out? I'd much rather name a good friend who the kids know and trust than a family member who will take three hours to get there.

I had to give my 18 year old son as an emergency contact for work, my mother is nearly 200 miles away. I suppose my brother would be the next choice after my mother if my children were all under age, but he is over 200 miles away as well.

....I put my sister as mine (even though she lives some distance away).

More problematic is finding someone to put as an alternative contact for school. Still not figured an answer to that one....!

well i don't have any rellies, other than the in-laws.
i was at hospital today and had the next of kin question, the nurse says, it is not a legal thing for them it's more a contact person really, she did say i could put mickey mouse down if i so wished