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To wake four sleeping children, then drag them to the shop in the pouring rain?

411 replies

PomBearEnvy · 12/01/2011 21:08

Okay I need advice, have posted here because its the busiest place. My Dc are all sleeping, aged 7yrs nearly3yrs and 18months.

I have an aquaintances newborn with me who I am looking after unexpectedly after a frantic phone call. Newborn is three weeks old, mum has been taken ill, rushed to A&E. She is a single parent and has no family nearby, I only know her through mother and toddlers.
Baby was dropped to me half hour ago by her very elderly neighbour, there was no-one else to take him when she was taken ill, he would have gone into emergency care Sad

I have nappies and clothes, but baby is usually breast fed. I am no longer feeding any of mine. I dont have formula.

Its pissing down outside, all the kids are fast asleep and will object to being woken or walking anywhere,I dont own a double buggy, no longer have a sling, and dh is working away.

How the fuck am I gonna get a newborn a 18month 3yr old and poorly 7yr old to the shop and back. aggggghhh!

Its a 6/7 min walk there, I could run in under 5mins, should I do that do you think? Leaving them sleeping? Or waking the seven yr old and talking to him on the homephone from my mobile? would that be insane? or is it more insane to try and get them all up and there with only one buggy and torrential rain.
Someone HELP!!!

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 14/01/2011 22:37
Smile

What a way to make a new friend Wink!

HippyHippopotamus · 14/01/2011 22:44

i'm speechless at how amazing MNers are

pom, really hope baby's mum continues her recovery. i can't even begin to imagine how awful she must have been feeling. i'm so pleased she had you to look after her son for her

AnnOnimous · 14/01/2011 22:50

Well done you Pom, what a friend you are being to this poor mum.

And well done to your new chocolate bearing buddy too, what a friendship to encourage!

Amiable · 14/01/2011 23:10

Wow, just wanted to add my heartfelt conratulations (there must be a better word which I can't think of!) for your actions, and also anonymous MNer and her family. You are all real stars! I was in tears at the story about the taxi firm too - it really restores my faith in humanity when I hear things like this.

Also, just wanted to say how great it is to see how many suggestions and offers of help this thread raised. This sort of emotional & practical support is exactly why I joined MN nearly 5 years ago. Smile

DirtyMartini · 14/01/2011 23:38

Thank you for updating us.

I agree with whoever said the taxi firm and/or driver deserves some sort of recognition. Maybe we need an MN New Year's Honours system with suitable prizes. Free advertising on MN? Or maybe just a bumper pack of little tree air fresheners?

thederkinsdame · 14/01/2011 23:46

Pom, you are a true friend and I think you are a star for what you've done. Well done!

chimchar · 15/01/2011 08:59

great news about the mum pom....hope she recovers well.

you are a lovely lady pom....you must have earned yourself many karma points!! Wink

good on you.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 15/01/2011 09:36

What an amazing thread. Well done Pom and everyone involved.

b1uebells · 15/01/2011 16:37

Thanks for the update pom, I check the thread everyday for updates :)

coldtits · 15/01/2011 16:39

this very poorly lady correctly identified you as the nicest and most sensible person in the area, so you MUST be very clearly a good person!

cat64 · 15/01/2011 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

shitmonster · 15/01/2011 17:10

Oh dear .
I just dried my tears after the Taxi driver/anon mumsnetter combination when off I go again with the Mumsnetters sister paying a visit bearing chocolates.

I love stories about the kindness of strangers .

And Im not the crying type Blush

imustbemadasaboxoffrogs · 15/01/2011 18:18

MN at its best

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 15/01/2011 19:38

Thanks for the update Pom.

Hope the baby has been ok again with you today.

Good news that his mum is out of danger, it sounds like she's got a way to go yet though.

Hopefully she'll get the support that she needs in the long run, and you'll have made some lovley new friends in the process.

xx

franke · 15/01/2011 19:44

What coldtits said. You've been fantastic, esp with 3 of your own to care for.

Poor little baby and poor mum - I hope she gets all the support she needs.

Bumperlicious · 15/01/2011 19:58

Well done pom! You have nothing to kick yourself for. Poor mum and poor poor baby :(. Hope all ends well.

HeadsUp · 15/01/2011 20:19

A most un-MNetty xx to POM, now I remember why I love MN

snala · 15/01/2011 23:45

Please keep us updated pom. Youre a star.

minipen · 16/01/2011 18:24

Another one here glad of an update, I have been wondering how you all were getting on. How nice to meet anons sister, this story is truly heartwarming & I think it will mean the world to the baby's mum you were willing to help out.

Rindercella · 16/01/2011 18:40

A fantastic example of how utterly brilliant people can be in a crisis.

That poor woman. But Pom what a star you are.

AnnieLobeseder · 16/01/2011 18:48

What a fantastic story, though very sad about the poor mum. Well done everyone! Restores my faith in humanity!!

LoveInAColdClimate · 16/01/2011 21:26

What an amazing story - people can be so wonderful. Poor mother and baby, but Pom, you must be a wonderful person, as must the taxi driver and anonoymous Mumsneter and her family (plus the GP and the midwife). I will be thinking of the baby and the mother... I do hope everything is ok in the long run even if it seems bleak now Sad. At least the poor mother knows she has a wonderful friend when she comes out of hospital.

hormonalmum · 16/01/2011 22:16

Pom- I started reading this thread on Wed and have just read the updates. I have had a little tear running down my cheek,reading about all the kindness (mn and none mn!)and for the little boy and the sad situation with his mum. Glad to hear the mum is improving.
She is very lucky to know you - you are an amazing friend

onmyfeet · 17/01/2011 05:33

Pombear...I am glad she choose you to trust her baby with. Hope things will work out for poor depressed mom and her baby.

MsKLo · 21/01/2011 19:56

bump

what has happened here OP?