What do we do with our 3yr old when we go into hosp?

[strawbs]

Hi there
I'm new as a member on this forum, but have been consulting it frequently. Was wondering if there is someone in the same position as we are. Baby is due in Sept & we don't know what to do with our 3 yr old . Both hubby & me have no extended family here & to make things worse we have just moved house & have no friends (well-known & trustworthy) here. We live in the Armadale area in WA & was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.
Ta
Strawbs

[visitor1]

Im in the same situation when my bub is born in October. I have no family and limited friends here, all of whom i cant leave DD with cos they have their own families and i wouldnt ask them to have her. DD will only be 11 months old at the time.

Maybe by September you will have some more friends and have built up a r'ship enuf to leave ur son there? Can a family member come and stay with you at all to watch him? If not maybe a carer..speak with your local council, perhaps they would be of some assistance.

Goodluck

[Aranah]

I am in the same boat.

I have been here for around 2 years but didn't make any close friends. I have no family even in the same state and neither does DP.

So it was a big worry for me when I became pg about what to do with my other children when bubs comes. The person I trust most in the area is a lady I got to know through the kids school and she's a really good mum and a responsible person. I've left my kids with her twice through the pregnancy for sudden hospital visits and it all went well. I just don't like imposing on people and especially her because she has 4 young boys.

This time too, I asked my mum if she would come and stay. She has a 9 yo herself so it's hard, but she's okay with it and might even be here tomorrow ! (depending how my OB appointment goes today as I might be induced for PE). She is coming from up north and has a long way to travel, but from the beginning I asked her, I offered to pay her ticket, she has her own room and she was okay with it. It's the only time I"ve asked anything of my mum. So hopefully when it all happens, mum will be here.

Is that an option for either of you? To have a family member come and stay when the time comes, a couple of weeks before? And definately seek other mums out in the meantime, join a playgroup, social group and maybe form even some social friendships but enough for you to trust someone.

It's really hard I know I want to be able to go into labour without worrying about my kids and what they are doing, the only way I can do this totally is if my mum is here. It's really hard to trust someone with your most precious assets.

[Meluchja]

Just a thought, would the hospital that you are booked into have any ideas? Maybe you could tell them your situation and they might be able to point you in some direction.

Must be tough. Good luck. Like Kimbaz said hopefully by september you might know someone well enough to take care of your 3yr old.

[sonya1]

heres a different idea. i too live in Armadale... maybe we could get together and if we hit it off your 3 year old could stay at our house whilst you in labour etc. i have a 3 and 4 year old and have friends kids stay with us all the time. plus my three year old doesnt know many kids his age, so it would be nice for him. my email address is in my profile, feel free to contact me if you wish.

[strawbs]

Wow!!! When I posted my msg last nite I didnt expect to see so many replies this morning! Thank you all for ur suggestions. By the way I forgot to mention that my 3yr old is a girl (silly me!)
We are going to Murdoch hosp & they clearly have a 'no kids' policy there! But contacting our church may be a gud idea - thanx for that Shannon. I have joined playgroups etc but I don't think I am going to find someone I can totally trust with my precious little girl. I just want to be able to go into labour with total peace of mind. I can't say I wud leave hubby to look after our 3yr old cos I need him - just can't do the whole pushing thing without him to support me!
Both of us have our families overseas & don't want to have to deal with making others feel comfortable etc during this time, u know how it is. We'd rather they came to visit at a less stressful time.
I will get in touch with u sonya, though I'm not too sure how my little one will get along with a boy her age - willing to give it a shot though!!!
Ta again everyone

[AnyDream]

Hello, I would recommend nurturing a good relationship with a family day care lady who is happy to have kids overnight when necessary. You then get someone who can care for her on other unexpected occasions as well.

HTH

[visitor1]

The FDC is a good option.... thanks for that one... Chels has just started and im sure ours would help out....will have to ponder on that one!!

[misty]

i hope everything works out for you. i am lucky as we live near my family - so i just plan on distrupting their lives a bit. unfortunately unless you are scheduled in for an induction or c-section then you can only plan so much anyway - chances are we may still end up with 'jelly' in the hospital with us, as i had a really quick labour last time and if DH is at work when i go into labour this time, he has a 15-20min drive to pick me up, 20min drive to my parents house (or my sisters school) and then another 20min drive to the hospital. you just need to have faith that things will work out in the end.