Three children found dead

[RedandChecker]

m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27122410

Very, very sad

[DillydollyRIP]

Very sad. Poor family, can it imagine what it must be like to have not one but three very poorly babies :(

[Swannery]

I agree with Blackmouse. We don't know the details yet, but if these children were all at the stage of really suffering, with no hope of improvement but only the certainty of deterioration and death, and the mother killed them for that reason (and not for instance because she couldn't stand the burden on herself) then I think that she took an ethical decision, regardless of the fact that it was against the law. And acting ethically is more important than acting in accordance with the law, IMO. Who else would help these children?
If they had lived in Holland, this could have been done legally, with medical assistance.

[mummylin2495]

Very very sad situation. Mum must of been in utter despair.

[Doobydoo]

Terribly sad for the whole family.I keep thinking of the mum being questioned.I have worked as Paediatric nurse and in a Children's Hospice...I feel nothing but sadness reading about this.I certainly do not judge

[RedandChecker]

The latest update tells just a little more in regards to their illness

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/471929/Woman-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murder-after-three-children-found-dead-in-Surrey-house

[fidelineish]

The mother has been charged with three counts of murder.

[fidelineish]

According to BBC. So even more reason to be careful about speculation now.

[handcream]

I totally disagree with someone who said it was up to the mother (if indeed she did do this) to decide whether the quality of life was reasonable or not.


Where do we draw the line - an elderly parent suffering from memory loss, someone in pain from a terminal illness. Is this all OK.

[issynoko]

I hope the trial is compassionate. This family is already in hell. Such a sad, sad story.

[Mumzy]

I work in paediatrics and it worries me that so few families caring for disabled dcs had access to counsellors and reasonable amounts of respite care. As health professionals we assume parents will cope and sadly many only do so to the detriment of their own physical and mental health as in this case.

[RedandChecker]

Hand cream I think the mother would have been one of the only people who would have truly known whether their quality of life was reasonable. Who would be more appropriate to determine their quality of life? She was the sole carer and the one who was watching them deteriorate as time went on. I wouldn't have said it was the right thing to do, but I also couldn't say that I wouldn't have felt the same way in her shoes. The whole thing is heartbreaking and you have to feel some compassion to this poor woman as well as the children

[handcream]

Looking at the press coverage they had access to support., However I do take the points of others. Having disabled children must be very very difficult.

Its not a reason to potentially kill them if that indeed is what happened.

Its not your decision to take the life of children because you have decided it is not worth them living.

[QueMierda]

I think shakins post should quiet any unsympathetic posters.

[handcream]

I do actually feel some understanding. Of course I do. But I dont understand why she potentially chose to do what she did (if indeed that's what happened).

If your parent was suffering from dementia - would you choose to end their life? On their behalf.....



If we allow this to be an acceptable way to behave - where does it all stop. Who are any of us to take the life of another because WE believe its in their best interests.

[handcream]

I have a question - what if the father had chosen to do this? Would we be as 'understanding'?

What about the 'nanny' who spent a lot of time with the children? Or is it just OK for the mother?

[AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore]

I don't believe any said it was an acceptable way to behave. They've said that they understand how someone could reach the point where they act in this manner. There is a huge difference.

[Lizzylou]

It is not a case of not having/having help I think, more "can I watch my much loved children continue to suffer", I can't and won't judge this Mother because her fears and reality are thankfully something alien to me. Just desperately sad.

[Bowlersarm]

We can only comment on what has happened handcream not scenarios that didn't actually happen.

I feel the utmost sadness for this woman. And her children. And her husband and dd. But mostly for the woman herself. I hope she is shown compassion, I really do.

[fidelineish]

You might want to report your own post there OP, before it gets zapped for contempt of court.

I'm convinced one day MN will be on the receiving end of legal action and will end up a pre-moderated site.

[hazeyjane]

I think having empathy for a woman (or a man) having to live with and watch their children lose abilities and suffer every day in the knowledge their lives will so tragically short, is very different from saying it is acceptable.

[handcream]

Personally I have experience of a family member with severe memory loss. That person just disappeared and a new person appeared. One who wasnt responsible for their own actions. Who was agressive and couldnt be trusted to light a fire or cook their own meals.

It was horrible. However I wouldnt have ever thought about doing something to them to end their suffering. And they were suffering. There was support for us all but not a great time of my life.

[handcream]

How do we know their life was short. The BBC was interviewing someone last night who was in their 50's suffering from the same illness.

[RedandChecker]

Delete the thread fidelineish ?