Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Looking after neighbours child, am I right to be worried?

2 replies

Numbinside13 · 19/03/2020 23:25

I'm in a bit of a predicament. Or maybe it's not and I'm being completely stupid. I'm really torn and just want to see what the general consensus is on this. What would you do.
My neighbour lives above me ( maisonettes) and we get on well. My DS and her DS are almost inseparable ; throughout the 3 years we have been here they have grown very close. They are like brothers really and are usually in and out of each others houses playing/gaming/out on the bikes etc. We are both single parents. I often help her out by having her DS here if, for example, I'm on annual leave and she's not and she needs help with childcare. Her XDP is not really on the scene and she doesn't have any family here. Therefore I have always helped out where I can and the boys obviously love it ( both only DC's).

Here's the thing. She is still being asked to go into work ( works in a car dealership), and although she tells me she could work from home, her manager is adamant she needs to come in. I am a nurse, but have been on long term sick since January after being hospitalised with meningitis and seizures. Slowly recovering, and able to function at home but get very fatigued and suffer with chronic pain ( feeling immense guilt for not being out there doing the job I was trained to, supporting my colleagues and caring for the vulnerable at a time when we're most needed...anyway that's another issue!). I am therefore a key worker but obviously able to now keep my DS at home. I am so conflicted, she has asked if I would be able to help out by having her DS few days a week, the other two days she said she will ask another friend. Now we are all in this crazy situation ,with all of us having to make the right choices for the greater good, do I help out where I normally would or leave her even more stressed out and alone than she is probably feeling because of the risk of spreading this virus? I really feel for her situation, as that could have been me had they not left the schools open to key workers and I was back at work.
What would you do? Anyone else in this situation? Am I being utterly ridiculous? Am I overthinking this?

OP posts:
cakeandchampagne · 19/03/2020 23:33

You are on sick leave and should self-isolate with your son only.
She needs to make other arrangements for her son.

Nostrings457 · 19/03/2020 23:38

The rules are the rules but we are still human and will feel conflicted following them at times. I want to help friends but wont. However if you are both quote isolated maybe following the rules as if you are in one household. It depends on your friendship though..

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread