What do you think of this!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Next dance class --- when she has turned away for a few minutes (and she will cause she's in there watching the dance class -- can't watch the car and the class) -- someone should yell, "Hey -- get away from there!" and say they saw someone trying to get into the car. It will scare the holy cr** outta her. Just don't say it's some random black man susan smith.

You know why this is the world's stupidest idea? Because it is a contrived situation. Not likely for this to really happen, so you are all being hysterical over an extremely unlikely scenario. The two kids have a better chance of falling and breaking something running around the studio than they do of being accosted by some random stranger in a monitored car.

[Anonymous]

This pp -- most of these happened this year...within the last few months


http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2011/03/15/news//doc4d7f7d959171c855265971.txt
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Mom-of-Carjacked-Kids-Take-Your-Kids-With-You-103945134.html
http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2011-01-26/georgia-girl-3-safe-after-moms-car-stolen
http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/local/two-men-steal-car-two-kids-inside/nCDtw/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Next dance class --- when she has turned away for a few minutes (and she will cause she's in there watching the dance class -- can't watch the car and the class) -- someone should yell, "Hey -- get away from there!" and say they saw someone trying to get into the car. It will scare the holy cr** outta her. Just don't say it's some random black man susan smith.

You know why this is the world's stupidest idea? Because it is a contrived situation. Not likely for this to really happen, so you are all being hysterical over an extremely unlikely scenario. The two kids have a better chance of falling and breaking something running around the studio than they do of being accosted by some random stranger in a monitored car.

[Anonymous]

I'd be concerned of another car accidentally hitting her car. Depending how the studio/parking lot is located that's be very unfortunate.
And it will probably ruin her life worse than police/CPS could...
I would call the police again if she keeps doing it.

[Anonymous]

Didn't say it wouldn't happen. Did say it was unlikely. And I still contend it is. Given that are 73 million children in the U.S. and probably a good number of them are left in cars while parents run in the store and most of them aren't getting carjacked.

Doesn't change my mind that this was a relatively low risk behavior--she is not parked at a gas station or inside a strip mall.

And what is the age cutoff? This could just as easily happen with a 10, 12, 14, 17 year old in the car. With you waiting in the car. So you will never, ever leave a child unattended in a car? Ever?

[Anonymous]

Babies in a car on a regular basis -- HELLL NAWHHHH!
That qualifies as DAMNED DUMB in my book!
Have I left my 6 yr old in the car while I was dropping library books in the drop box.
Last time -- made her get out with me -- some things are just not worth the risk.
Risk may be small -- but the possible consequences are no where near worth it!

Anonymous wrote:Didn't say it wouldn't happen. Did say it was unlikely. And I still contend it is. Given that are 73 million children in the U.S. and probably a good number of them are left in cars while parents run in the store and most of them aren't getting carjacked.

Doesn't change my mind that this was a relatively low risk behavior--she is not parked at a gas station or inside a strip mall.

And what is the age cutoff? This could just as easily happen with a 10, 12, 14, 17 year old in the car. With you waiting in the car. So you will never, ever leave a child unattended in a car? Ever?

[Anonymous]

The laws are different depending on the age of the children in many states 10 is the cut-off and children older than 10 are able to be left in the car legally. My mom always did her grocery shopping with us in the car (we were like 10 and older) and this was the late 80's-early 90's. It was just easier for her to not bring the tornado that was four kids into the store with her, so in the Suburban we stayed.

[Anonymous]

Meant to say that I have left her in the car at the library drop box...but last time i thought better of it...and did not do it.

Anonymous wrote:Babies in a car on a regular basis -- HELLL NAWHHHH!
That qualifies as DAMNED DUMB in my book!
Have I left my 6 yr old in the car while I was dropping library books in the drop box.
Last time -- made her get out with me -- some things are just not worth the risk.
Risk may be small -- but the possible consequences are no where near worth it!

Anonymous wrote:Didn't say it wouldn't happen. Did say it was unlikely. And I still contend it is. Given that are 73 million children in the U.S. and probably a good number of them are left in cars while parents run in the store and most of them aren't getting carjacked.

Doesn't change my mind that this was a relatively low risk behavior--she is not parked at a gas station or inside a strip mall.

And what is the age cutoff? This could just as easily happen with a 10, 12, 14, 17 year old in the car. With you waiting in the car. So you will never, ever leave a child unattended in a car? Ever?

[Anonymous]

Well, if there's one thing I learned reading this post it's that they make wireless baby monitors. Who knew?

[Anonymous]

So is there a difference between a 2 and an 11 year old?
Just the law? Both would be in harms way given a carjacking. So law aside, I am getting that none of you will ever leave a child of any age alone in a car given the remote possibility? Because as far as I can see, there are no significant difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So is there a difference between a 2 and an 11 year old?
Just the law? Both would be in harms way given a carjacking. So law aside, I am getting that none of you will ever leave a child of any age alone in a car given the remote possibility? Because as far as I can see, there are no significant difference.

Of course there is a difference - an 11 year old can get out of their seatbelt and open the door, can recognize if there's danger, could probably stop the car in the event that it was not fully in park or something...HUGE difference. But yes, in a carjacking situation, both would likely be in danger, it's just that is not the only potential issue.

[Anonymous]

This is a toughie but I definitely would have approached the mom directly first before calling the police. If you true concern is the children, you wouldn't give a good GD if the mom got mad at you. If after approaching the situation remained unchanged, then you involve outside authorities. It's a big world out there people. We better figure out real soon how to get along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a toughie but I definitely would have approached the mom directly first before calling the police. If you true concern is the children, you wouldn't give a good GD if the mom got mad at you. If after approaching the situation remained unchanged, then you involve outside authorities. It's a big world out there people. We better figure out real soon how to get along.

The people at the dance studio DID approach her and her solution was to hide the monitor so it wouldn't be readily apparent that the babies were in the car.

The point is not about giving "a good GD if the mom got mad". She wouldn't have given a two shits what another mom had to say, but maybe an authority figure would have had some impact.

But thanks for the platitudes anyway, they were really useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a toughie but I definitely would have approached the mom directly first before calling the police. If you true concern is the children, you wouldn't give a good GD if the mom got mad at you. If after approaching the situation remained unchanged, then you involve outside authorities. It's a big world out there people. We better figure out real soon how to get along.

The people at the dance studio DID approach her and her solution was to hide the monitor so it wouldn't be readily apparent that the babies were in the car.

The point is not about giving "a good GD if the mom got mad". She wouldn't have given a two shits what another mom had to say, but maybe an authority figure would have had some impact.

But thanks for the platitudes anyway, they were really useful.

This is the OP and this is exactly right! I am a non-confrontational person and it did make me uncomfortable saying something to the mother (who I had never met). I thought just like the pp said that if the studio owner told her she couldn't do that (but I am not sure exactly what was said to her) she would stop, but she would ignore me. Then I think my friend felt that since that didn't stop her, nothing short of the police would. But it does seem like opinions are mixed on the dangers here, so maybe my instincts for her kids are wrong and like I said before I will stay out of it from this point on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a toughie but I definitely would have approached the mom directly first before calling the police. If you true concern is the children, you wouldn't give a good GD if the mom got mad at you. If after approaching the situation remained unchanged, then you involve outside authorities. It's a big world out there people. We better figure out real soon how to get along.

The people at the dance studio DID approach her and her solution was to hide the monitor so it wouldn't be readily apparent that the babies were in the car.

The point is not about giving "a good GD if the mom got mad". She wouldn't have given a two shits what another mom had to say, but maybe an authority figure would have had some impact.

But thanks for the platitudes anyway, they were really useful.

This is the OP and this is exactly right! I am a non-confrontational person and it did make me uncomfortable saying something to the mother (who I had never met). I thought just like the pp said that if the studio owner told her she couldn't do that (but I am not sure exactly what was said to her) she would stop, but she would ignore me. Then I think my friend felt that since that didn't stop her, nothing short of the police would. But it does seem like opinions are mixed on the dangers here, so maybe my instincts for her kids are wrong and like I said before I will stay out of it from this point on.

Actually I think your initial gut level response was spot on--what she is doing is not safe or appropriate. Has your friend noticed anything else not quite right with this mother? Or the child that goes to the dance class?

[Anonymous]

I think that the people in class who expressed shock that someone called police were mostly trying to disculpate themselves!

In order of desirability:
1. Accompany dancer to class while other napping children are watched at home.
2. Stay in the car with children while dancer is in class.
3. Be really stupid and leave nappers in the car, at the mercy of an overheating car despite the A/C or an incorrectly braked car - the 2 most probable accidents.

I am flabbergasted at the number of online bozos who think this woman has a leg to stand on.