I have to go into hospital soon for an operatiion. It involves an overnight stay. I have asked around friends/family to look after my young son, but so far nobody can/will do it.
Is social services the only option left to me?
Time is running out, and I am really worried....
2006-08-22 09:48:58 · 20 answers · asked by JustineTime 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
When my daughter was in hospital getting better from a massive systemic infection, there was a mother with your situation right down the hall. She needed elective surgery to repair an internal problem, and had no one to watch her SIX kids. So she brought them with her! She was put in a private room (covered by the hospital), with enough beds and convertible furniture brought in to sleep all of them. The mother did her own babysitting, so the nurses wouldn't be burdened. And when the mother was in surgery, the 10 year old daughter was in control of the lot. At times they were a disruption on the floor. And the mother needed to stay for 4 days in order to recover sufficiently.
EVERYONE was glad to see the last of them when they left.
Talk to the hospital. Some of them have day care facilities for their employees children. Maybe you'll get lucky.
2006-08-22 10:03:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Whoa, I'm not thinking much of your friends and family right now. I can think of a couple of options, first, is the overnight stay ABSOLUTELY necessary? Check with the surgeon performing the procedure, insurance companies really hate overnight hospital stays, and you'll probably be more comfortable at home anyway. What about the child's other parent? That would be my logical first choice, unless there's some reason that wouldn't work (ie: abuse). If you know of any college aged students that wouldn't mind picking up a few extra bucks, that may be the route you have to go, or contact a private babysitting company, but that's going to be your most expensive option by far. You could even place an ad at the college, most have bulletin boards full of this type of stuff. Do you attend a church of any kind? I know I'm always asked to do stuff like this for church ladies, and really don't mind at all. If worse comes to worse, you may have to reschedule the surgery, hopefully that won't adversely affect your health. You may also have to resort to guilting some family member (like your mother) into doing this for you. I'm sorry, this is really crappy. Best of luck to you.
2006-08-22 10:00:30 · answer #2 · answered by basketcase88 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe nobody in your family is prepared to look after your son what are families for if not for times like this and as for your friends well sorry but find some new ones. You've got enough to worry about let alone childcare, I know cos i'm in hospital on Thursday for an operation. I hope all goes well for you and that you can sort something out but maybe social services is the only way, have you asked your gp or maybe you have and this is what they suggested. All the Best JLB x
2006-08-22 11:12:23 · answer #3 · answered by jlb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. There are temporary foster carers who do this kind of thing. You have time to prepare your son and get it all arranged.
Just phone the hospital, ask to speak to the hospital social worker and they'll sort it out. I had to do that a few years ago, and it worked out ok...of course, I worried myself sick over it!
Oh my god, I can't believe what some other people have said...social services are NOT there to take your son away!!! If you need temporary foster care you'll get it! People who have no support have to go into hospital all the time, they're used to helping out! Thats such an ignorant thing to say.
2006-08-22 10:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by sarah c 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
social services can found someone to look after him for you be it a foster family or a reg childminder who is allowed to have children staying over night either way your child will need to meet them before hand other wise he will be very upset ask to see a social worker in the hospital they should help you there .... i myself have taken a child during an emergency like this .... and I'm very sorry that your family has said no to you ... sadly one day they may need your help before you need there's again ... good luck with it all
2006-08-22 10:08:49 · answer #5 · answered by carol p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call a local Baptist Church, and explain your situation to the pastor, explain your need. I am sure you will get a better response from a larger church that will have more resources. I bet you will meet some real nice people as well. If for any reason you do not want to call a church, call the American Red Cross or local Salvation Army.
2006-08-22 10:13:50 · answer #6 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you discussed this with anyone at the facilty, perhaps there is some kind of child care service that they can offer, people who may volunteer to help someone in your position out. It's worth a try.
2006-08-22 10:03:20 · answer #7 · answered by Donna Lu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your surgery is not life threatening, you should talk to you doctor about rescheduling. If your surgery is absolutely necessary you should reconsider who you call friends.
Beyond that, you can check your local yellow pages for on-call nannies or something of that sort, or if you have a neighbor you trust, or if you child already attends day care you can ask around to the people there to see if one of them, that you know and trust, might be willing to take the job.
2006-08-22 09:58:02 · answer #8 · answered by limgrn_maria 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pay someone to sleep over at yours. How old is your son? If he goes to nursery, maybe one of the staff will do it.
Talk to the hospital PALS service (UK).
Otherwise you'll have to go in as a day case. Or self-discharge.
2006-08-22 10:00:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call around to babysitters and ask if any are willing to babysit overnight. I'm sure you'll have to pay them extra, but it may be the only way, if your family and friends are being that horrible about it. :(
2006-08-22 10:03:39 · answer #10 · answered by ChiChi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋