Desperate, desperate situation with no help

sacha28

shop-to-drop wrote: »

Just spotted it is only 3 days to pay day.

In that case, blankets, snuggle in bed and hot water bottles. Like the above poster we too a broken boiler one winter and had no hot water or heating for about 3 months until we could get it fixed. We have three children and we survived. Not fun but character building and toughens you up. I grew up in a house with no double glazing or central heating so knew we could survive.

It also makes you much more aware to be more prepared in future. We still aren't perfect but it was a lesson learned.

I guess my point I'm upset about was that it wasn't only 3 days to payday when our gas ran out, it was 8.

Growurown

sacha28 wrote: »

As for SS? Believe me, in my devastated crying mess when the gas ran out, my first thought was that my son needed to live with someone who could afford to keep him safe. This isn't going to happen but that just shoved me further into an emotional mess as my son is my priority and I'm letting him down.

Your son needs to be with you and Social Services aren't going to take him away from you just because you have no gas. My friend was in a similar situation last year and SS helped her out and gave her money to get electric. Everyone needs help from time to time. It isn't a failure on your part, just an unfortunate set of circumstances.

retromother

I've seen a little makeshift heater thing on YouTube, you use tea lights, bread tin and plant tubs. Not sure if it works though. We survived two weeks without an oven last month. Used electric grill, microwave and slow cooker. Also went without boiler in the winter of 2008 with an 11 month old baby. We used the electric heater sparodically, hot water bottles and blankets. Spent most of the time in our bedroom with his cot in there. He played in the bed or his cot. It wasn't ideal but it was for a short period of time.

shop-to-drop

Just want to add

You'll be fine and you will cope. If you are an A&E nurse you must be a toughy. Those three days will come soon enough and you can start again. Hopefully next month won't be such a stretch.

There was a thread the other day about heating a room with tealights under a flowerpot. Did you see that? Obviously be careful with your little one though.

sacha28

shop-to-drop, I am a toughie....up to a point. Anything I have had to deal with is fine. It's me, I'm an adult and I am responsible for myself. When it comes to my little boy, he has no choice in the matter, he is totally reliant on me to provide warmth and safety. Both of which I am failing miserably at at the moment.

I don't have any candles god I really am just pointless and useless at everything. This is a very hard lesson I am going to have to work through.

sax11

retromother wrote: »

I've seen a little makeshift heater thing on YouTube, you use tea lights, bread tin and plant tubs. Not sure if it works though.

This does work as it's a well known way of keeping frost out of greenhouses. I still think a blanket & hot water bottle idea is a bit safer, especially if there's a small child about.

shop-to-drop

Your little one will be fine. You will have blankets, duvet, bring them downstairs he will think it fun. If you have a hot water bottle use that too we all love hot water bottles in our family. Dig out hats and scarfs and wear them indoors too if needed.

Your little one will be fine especially if he has lots of cuddles too.

retromother

Don't beat yourself up, we all make mistakes. When I first had ds2 we found out the council tax wasn't included in our rent (long story but we'd be advices initially that it was by the council), leaving us with a huge bill. I remember crying every night for weeks feeling guilty that I couldn't afford nice things for my new baby. We survived though and he has no knowledge of how little we managed on during that time.

Countdown the days to payday, wrap up warm and give your baby plenty of love. It's totally free. Bed sharing might help until you're sorted too.

sax11

sacha28 wrote: »

I don't have any candles .

30 tealights from poundland ?

sacha28

sax11 wrote: »

30 tealights from poundland ?

I'm not sure you understand the severity of my situation. £1 would be quite exciting to me right now!