Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:28     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Wait - now I see you said years of estrangement. If they know your child's whereabouts, I would be concerned about stalking. Involve the police. Make sure you know their car and such
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:28     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
How old is your child? Does she understand what is going on and can stand up to them if they approach her somewhere else? ballet class, soccer field, etc?
This is a scary situation. Make sure everyone in her school, extra-curriculars, nannies and the parents of her close friends are aware of the situation and consult a lawyer ASAP.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:26     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
I'm surprised the school didn't call the police FOR you! Definitely get this on record. I hate to say it, but they very well may do it again and in a less secure setting. I'm guessing the estrangement is fairly recent if they have a connection to your child and know her daily whereabouts. Make sure your daughter knows how to react if she sees them.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:13     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Does it make me the most dysfunctional broken human being that I loathe picking up the phone to call the police on my own parents.? What a horrid situation and highly embarassing to boot.


No, I think it makes you pretty normal to be horrified by the whole thing. I would be.

But I think you definitely need to go the legal route. It sucks, but what if the school had goofed and they'd taken her? If you have a lawyer, call them ASAP for advice. Also call the police.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:13     Subject: Re:My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
^^^

Yup.

It sucks, it's hard, and no one says you won't feel awful. Swallow hard, and do it anyway.
And/or get a lawyer and a restraining order.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:10     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Does it make me the most dysfunctional broken human being that I loathe picking up the phone to call the police on my own parents.? What a horrid situation and highly embarassing to boot.



No. Not at all. I would feel the same way - but do it anyway. It's uncomfortable for you, but you are protecting your children. What if the kids had gone with your parents? Think of that when you make the call.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 11:08     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
OP here. Does it make me the most dysfunctional broken human being that I loathe picking up the phone to call the police on my own parents.? What a horrid situation and highly embarassing to boot.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:54     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Anonymous wrote:I'd call the police and report an attempted kidnapping. I'd review with my daughter who she is allowed to go with and what to do if they come back. I'd bring some cookies or flowers to the school office and thank them for following their procedures and keeping your daughter safe.

I'd also firm up my security and information output - if you are so estranged how do your parents know what school your daughter goes to? I am not estranged from my mother at all and she has no idea what the name of my daughter's school is. Make sure your Facebook page is not open to people who you are not friends with, make sure you're not FB friends with people your parents are FB friends with, etc.


+1000
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:32     Subject: Re:My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Call the police. Let the school and anyone else who has your daughter in their care about the situation. Make sure that you have consistent pick up arrangements and that the school knows the arrangements. Make sure your daughter knows who is picking her up each day and tell her exactly what to do if someone else comes to pick her up. Give her the specific words to use when telling an adult and tell her which adults she should go to. Don't assume anything - especially that your daughter will know what to do or say.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:30     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Police and a lawyer.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:30     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
" they attempted to yell her name and pick her up from me"

wtf? call the police -
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:28     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Wow. Police, yes. I would also contact a lawyer about sending them a registered letter forbidding them contact.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:27     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
I'd call the police and report an attempted kidnapping. I'd review with my daughter who she is allowed to go with and what to do if they come back. I'd bring some cookies or flowers to the school office and thank them for following their procedures and keeping your daughter safe.

I'd also firm up my security and information output - if you are so estranged how do your parents know what school your daughter goes to? I am not estranged from my mother at all and she has no idea what the name of my daughter's school is. Make sure your Facebook page is not open to people who you are not friends with, make sure you're not FB friends with people your parents are FB friends with, etc.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:25     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
I would call the police.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2014 10:24     Subject: My estranged parents tried to take my daughter from school
Haven't spoken to them in years - they hate my siblings and I, all of their extended family, and all of the grandchildren except my daughter. They showed up and tried to check my daughter out - they were obviously not on her pick up list. When I was called to the school and came to pick her up, they attempted to yell her name and pick her up from me. This sounds like a Lifetime movie..what would you do if you were me?