Hello everyone, new and not so new.
Mother's day has been a bit of a disaster so far (can only get better). Tried to speak to my granny, but she is really ill and was asleep (visiting cousin was woken at 4am to hear her shouting "Queen of all England and Ireland"). Paramedics came (she lives in a very remote area). She has low blood sugar but lots of othetr problems too. Time to move to where she can get 24 hr care I fear.
We were hoping to visit MIL but she turned us down (mental health issues. She's bipolar and takes medication but couldn't face a visit and having to tidy up I think...).
We dropped in on my mum (mental health issues - long term chronic psychosis, does NOT take medication, and has, I think become an alcoholic too). Just as we arrived DH shut car windows on auto. DS (3) got his hand trapped until I yelled at DH to open window. DS then did a wee wee in shock/pain. DH (who had packed car) then said, no, he hadn't brought bag with spare pants and trousers.
We rush to mum's flat door and buzz. She (clearly intoxicated) takes an age to come down instead of buzzing us in (to bring rubbish bag full of bottles down before we went in I suspect). DH goes away to hunt for shop selling cheap pants/trousers while mum proceeds to frighten talk incoherently to DS whilst I frantically search for make do ice pack. It was horrible. We just about managed to give her her mother's day cards. As soon as DH got back I said we were leaving, sent DH and DS on ahead then told mum I love her, am worried, she needs help etc. but I will not expose my child to that again.
We managed to go for a rather subdued lunch after. You have to laugh, but sometimes you want to cry.
BTW, thank you SwordfishTrombones and Weirdbird for maternity allowance reminder. I claimed last time and will again. Nice to hear there are other self-employed people out there.
For the Health in Pregnancy grant call 0845 366 7885 or go to: www.hmrc.gov.uk/hipg.