Message ID: c72v9j$h62gi$1@ID-202214.news.uni-berlin.de
My 15-year-old daughter was hired to baby-sit our friend's 1-year-old infant. When she arrived, she was told she would also be watching the next-door neighbor's two small children, both under 3 years of age. The parents were going out together, and the babies next door were put to bed, the house was locked, and my daughter was given a baby monitor so she could hear if there was a problem.
When I heard this, I was furious that they'd put a 15- year-old in that position and leave small children locked in a house alone. I said as much.
Now my daughter, husband and our friends are all mad at me for making them uncomfortable about their "arrangement." Apparently, they do it all the time -- both couples hire one sitter and leave one house unattended. These people are young, educated, drive expensive cars and can afford a sitter.
I told them I would call Social Services if they continue to leave the babies unattended.
My family thinks I owe them an apology. Do I?
-- Furious In California
Dear Furious:
No, you do not. What these "friends" are doing is illegal, as well as unconscionable. If something should go wrong -- like a fire -- your daughter could be left with lifelong guilt and trauma. Please continue to look out for your daughter's interests. Being a conscientious parent means not always being popular.
The mind boggles - you can bet that both of these sets of parents if asked, would say that their children are "the most precious, most important thing in the world" and by the same token are too cheap to pay for a sitter - and further still, see nothing wrong whatsoever with leaving their children unattended. The fact that they are educated, employed and drive expensive cars does not make them any smarter than the welfare moos who left 5 children in a mobile home with no electicity that subsequently went up in flames.
Yet, if you called Social Services, they would be "very, very sorry" - not about what they did, but because that they were caught. They live in a world where "it can't happen to me" - but it can, and does. Money is no protection from terminal stupidity, but if they have enough, they will get off because "they have suffered enough".
That doesn't change the fact that you were right, as is my esteemed counterpart. Your daughter should not be in any way be made responsible for this potential trainwreck. If your friends and their neighbours are "uncomfortable" so be it. Not your problem. The only thing I would change is I would get on the phone to social services - now. You bet your butt that they will find some other sucker - er, sitter before long.
Childfree Abby
The ChildFree Abby Archives - http://www.dismal-light.net/childfreeabby/