Worried about childcare during festive season

[Itsjustaphase84]

Hi. I'm due dc2 over Xmas and I'm worried about going into labour with no one to look after my 3yo Son. I've been awake since early 3am teary over it.

Our parents are supportive and will jump at chance to support but also like a drink over Xmas. It's such a stupid trivial but real chance situation I can see happening....

"sorry we've had a drink and can't drive" or they're at the pub. Just feel highly fucking stressed and rudely telling them not to drink .

So I'm asking if anyone else shares similar concerns to me. Problem shared and all that...

Are they likely to be too drunk to look after him, or just slightly merry? If the latter then maybe a taxi to bring them to you or you take ds to them? If it is both sets and likely to drink a lot would they agree to a sober rota? You only need one sober at a time. Or any friends who can be on standby?

One set too drunk. Dfil goes to pub and dmil has mobility issues so couldn't look after him on her own. The other set would be merry I guess and taxi could be an option.

I think the idea of a sober rota is good. More reassuring if I know there is at least one person who could help. I have 1 friend who could be on that rota I guess, thank you.

Honestly, express your worries and concerns to them, and if they aren’t prepared to not get tipsy for a few nights to help out with the care of their grandchild whilst their other grandchild is being born, then they need to reassess their priorities I’m afraid!

I realise that it’s not a grandparents job to look after their grandchildren, but in these kind of circumstances, some things take priority.

Thanks @tootsieglitterballs . They are very good Gps so you're right. It's 1 or 2 nights. I'll speak to them I'm worrying about nothing probably

I had the same worry with my DC2 due over Christmas. My brother who lives about 40 minutes from me wouldn't mind DC1 so I had to fly my mother over to spend Christmas with us just in case. I hated having someone on baby watch Like that but I had no choice, so fully understand your worry.

Do you have any friends who could pop over, perhaps parents of friends of DC1?

Or a rota would work too?

Unless you are someone with incredibly fast labours you will have plenty of time to warn them and for them to sober up.

My 4th delivery which I considered quite quick the pains started in earnest late morning and he wasn't born until 5.30. You will have time.

Not necessarily, my second labour the baby was born three hours after I said to DH that I might be in labour, so not even having full contractions. This was after a 24 hour first labour! Have a chat with your parents and in laws to put your mind at rest as they may have already thought about it themselves?