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The big problem I see with what she did is not so much that she left the kids to walk home, but the fact that they were obviously not prepared for something like that. If the kids were used to walking places around town and were aware of what to do if a stranger approached them then fine give them a little exercise punshiment. But apparently they were not because the 10 yr old let a stranger take her to get ice cream and then the police station!
I don't believe keeping kids under lock and key because there is a one in a million chance that a stranger might get them. I think the wiser thing to do is teach them what to do in case they are approached and even test them every now and again by having a coworker or neighbor they might not be familiar with ( but you are obviously!) appproach them to see how they would react. This mother did not teach her daughter these safty tips well enough and that is the bigger problem IMO.
I always carries a long switch on the dash of my car, one that would reach from one side to the other of the back seat. I warned them ONCE. Next time the switch made a swipe across the back seat. I never had to turn around to do it and it always stopped the problem going on back there.
Would I do it to a 10- and 12-year-old? I would if we were on our street or a street or two away (and it wasn't freezing or sweltering hot), sure. The bickering brats could then walk home... the exercise would do them good, and might adjust their attitudes. But if it were more than that, or in an unfamiliar or shady area, then of course not!
I bet they don't do THAT again.
yep my mom did this to me and my sister when we were about 9 and 13. We were about a mile from the house but we knew the area well because we frequently biked and roller skated there. We sat there for about 20 minutes but then when she didn't come back we walked home. Found out years later she tailed us until we were in the subdivision and then went home. But in the middle of a city, in an area you don't know about and not watching them? Nope sounds like this mom was watching desperate housewives
The big problem I see with what she did is not so much that she left the kids to walk home, but the fact that they were obviously not prepared for something like that. If the kids were used to walking places around town and were aware of what to do if a stranger approached them then fine give them a little exercise punshiment. But apparently they were not because the 10 yr old let a stranger take her to get ice cream and then the police station!
I don't believe keeping kids under lock and key because there is a one in a million chance that a stranger might get them. I think the wiser thing to do is teach them what to do in case they are approached and even test them every now and again by having a coworker or neighbor they might not be familiar with ( but you are obviously!) appproach them to see how they would react. This mother did not teach her daughter these safty tips well enough and that is the bigger problem IMO.
I was astounded when I heard this story. I think she was wrong and she endangered her children. I think this warrants DCF keeping an eye on her. She sounds overwhelmed and coming up with innappropriate ways to deal with the stress.
The big problem I see with what she did is not so much that she left the kids to walk home, but the fact that they were obviously not prepared for something like that. If the kids were used to walking places around town and were aware of what to do if a stranger approached them then fine give them a little exercise punshiment. But apparently they were not because the 10 yr old let a stranger take her to get ice cream and then the police station!
I don't believe keeping kids under lock and key because there is a one in a million chance that a stranger might get them. I think the wiser thing to do is teach them what to do in case they are approached and even test them every now and again by having a coworker or neighbor they might not be familiar with ( but you are obviously!) appproach them to see how they would react. This mother did not teach her daughter these safty tips well enough and that is the bigger problem IMO.
I agree too. I hope the mother really thinks about how she would feel if her girls got lost or worse.
The big problem I see with what she did is not so much that she left the kids to walk home, but the fact that they were obviously not prepared for something like that. If the kids were used to walking places around town and were aware of what to do if a stranger approached them then fine give them a little exercise punshiment. But apparently they were not because the 10 yr old let a stranger take her to get ice cream and then the police station!
And the 10yr old could of been doing it out of spite. Why didn't her sister stay with her? Why didn't she run with her sister to the car? If her sister was able to catch up, she could have also.
We all know preteens or even have one who has the holier than thou attitude & they are all of 8. She wasn't 4...she was 10 & unless she was living under a rock, not attending school, and her parents left her food & water by the door all her life...she knew better.
Just as some feel the mom made a poor decision, so did the 10yr old. And what the heck was the "stranger" thinking who took the girl for ice cream? Honestly, you see someon get left on the street corner & say "Hey, maybe they'd like some ice cream!". The stranger will probably turn out to be someone they know if or when all the information is released.
Lesson learned for all....all the money in the world does not substitute parenting & does not raise kids. And justifying bratty kids only encourages the same behavior to continue.
And the 10yr old could of been doing it out of spite. Why didn't her sister stay with her? Why didn't she run with her sister to the car? If her sister was able to catch up, she could have also.
We all know preteens or even have one who has the holier than thou attitude & they are all of 8. She wasn't 4...she was 10 & unless she was living under a rock, not attending school, and her parents left her food & water by the door all her life...she knew better.
Just as some feel the mom made a poor decision, so did the 10yr old. And what the heck was the "stranger" thinking who took the girl for ice cream? Honestly, you see someon get left on the street corner & say "Hey, maybe they'd like some ice cream!". The stranger will probably turn out to be someone they know if or when all the information is released.
Lesson learned for all....all the money in the world does not substitute parenting & does not raise kids. And justifying bratty kids only encourages the same behavior to continue.
Your expecting the burden of keeping them safe should be put on the children?? REALLY?? Your thinking the Mother should have the same reasoning skills as the children as well??
Someone has to be in charge and it should have been the Mother. Its one thing to be exasperated with your children but to put them in danger to get over it is not right.
I'm glad the child did go to the police and report her Mother. It might be what this Mother needs to get her to wake up and smell the coffee. Children have been kidnapped and found dead later with less then contributing.
...((post regarding lack of safety-preparedness and stranger-danger for the girls))... This mother did not teach her daughter these safty tips well enough and that is the bigger problem IMO.
You've raised some very good points, skahar. Thanks for bringing a fresh angle to the story.
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Originally Posted by jtur88
Sounds like the kid could have pawned her $500 Niemann Marcus backpack and taken a Limo home.
Jtur, you've raised some... interesting points in this post and in your prior one. I don't necessarily agree with you but thanks for contributing to the conversation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 121804
...Just as some feel the mom made a poor decision, so did the 10yr old. And what the heck was the "stranger" thinking who took the girl for ice cream?
Another good point. I was wondering about the mindset of the Good Samaritan, too. They took an awfully big risk, taking the child for ice cream before contacting authorities. Suppose someone saw them, came to the wrong conclusion regarding motives and intentions and reported them? As I said before, thank goodness, the Good Sam was a good person. They do exist .
Quote:
Originally Posted by 121804
Lesson learned for all....all the money in the world does not substitute parenting & does not raise kids.
On this we can most definitely agree. I hope they all take this as a big Life Lesson.
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