employee leaves young kids home alone

Parent Cafe
101

<p>Have we established that this woman is doing something illegal or dangerous? Do we know for sure that these kids are left completely alone? For how long? Are there trustworthy neighbors next door that know the kids are there every day? This really isn’t anyone’s business, I don’t think.</p>

<p>It’s not the same as an infant in a crib all day unwatched.</p>

<p>Again, where are the other kids? Perhaps they are older and are there? Really jumping the gun, I think.</p>

<p>Plus there’s a lot of judgement on this woman trying to make ends meet. </p>

<p>I went back to work part time 2 weeks after delivery. My mom was a teacher, so she was off during the summer and stayed with my infant while she slept and I went to work. By the time my baby was awake, I was home. She never even knew I was gone. For someone to say this mom is automatically a “bad mom” - well, it’s just outrageous! We don’t know this woman, her circumstances or any arrangements she may have made for these children. Just jumping to a lot of the worst conclusions! The woman is evidently WORKING and not on welfare. Even though it’s difficult, she seems to be providing - for all we know, this woman is a saint.</p>

102

<p>In our state, there is no law that specifically states how old a child has to be before they are left alone. There are some loose guidelines.</p>

<p>When I consider that my great-grandmother used to tether my aunt to a table leg so that she could go work in the field - I don’t get too bothered about a 9 year old and a 5 year old locked in a house in front of the TV with some snacks for 2 1/2 hours.</p>

103

<p>ssea - Parenthood is tough any way you slice it. Working mothers often have to get the kids ready before work, commute, pick the kids up after work… and then do many of the chores you mention at night.</p>

104

<p>Yes, colorado-BTDT. I’ve done all the permutations-SAH, working mom, PT, FT, daycare, in-home relative care, c-section, natural, in-hospital for a week, home the next day, working in just a few weeks after birth, SAH for several years. That was my point-NO mother gets a pass, so why are people freaking out about this mom’s non-unique situation?</p>