I Am P*ssed

[BumbleBee]

Head to the school with my preschoolers to p/u my SA's. One SA wasn't there so I checked with the office and that SA was absent today. I took the preschoolers & SA's and we started walking home. As we turn the corner onto my street, guess who is sitting on my porch-alone. Yep, the SA who was absent from school.

I know he didn't walk home bc he wasn't at school. I asked him what was up. He informs me that his dad dropped him off and since I wasn't home, told him to wait on my porch until I got there so dad wouldn't be late for work. DCB is 9 btw, finishing 3rd grade.

ARE YOU SERIOUS??????????????

Got inside, got the kids set up with lunch, then started the phone calls. Mom is not happy w/dad, dad is not answering his phone.

I need to calm down before p/u.

[Jewels]

wow! how can a parent do that, and he must have been sick as well to not be at school, but okay to go to your house..........I had an old dcg who called me the other week(mom always has her call me to see if she can come over to play(meaning free care) but she called on a tuesday(1st grader) asking if she could come over (it was 11am) I said why arent you in school sweety? reply "I was to sick to go to school" nice try mom, sorry to sick for school to sick for me!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Just when I think I've heard it all.

[Blackcat31]

I would be livid!

That is beyond any kind of rational or logical thinking!

I would almost consider reporting it as well. Wow!

Is mom coming to pick up? I wouldn't allow the child to stay if he was too sick to be in school.

[bunnyslippers]

I am not sure you do need to calm down before pick-up! That is completely unacceptable, and I am not sure I would keep that family after something like that! He was at your house, and you weren't there. What if something had happened while he waited for you? He is on your property. Do you have something in your contract or policies regarding dropping off a child when you aren't home? And why was he absent from school? Is he sick?

I am mad for you, and I would be demanding pick-up right now. Whoa.

[Cradle2crayons]

I am not sure you do need to calm down before pick-up! That is completely unacceptable, and I am not sure I would keep that family after something like that! He was at your house, and you weren't there. What if something had happened while he waited for you? He is on your property. Do you have something in your contract or policies regarding dropping off a child when you aren't home? And why was he absent from school? Is he sick?

I am mad for you, and I would be demanding pick-up right now. Whoa.

The policy is a good point. I don't have that in my policy as its never been an issue... However.... I may need to add that.

[MissSarah]

I can't believe the dad would do that! I would definitely want him to be picked up. I hope mom tears a strip off that dad!

[daycarediva]

I had a dcm tell me yesterday that the older sibling of my dck was home alone this week after school. Her thinking "Well it's only about an hour, he can just watch tv."

His after school program is closed for summer and she didn't plan ahead for alternate arrangements. Called me at the last minute Sunday evening, but I am at capacity.

SERIOUSLY!? I don't think I hid the look on my face well.

[daycarediva]

I should clarify, the older sib is also 9 (JUST turned 9) and isn't a very mature 9. No point reporting it, since there is no law for it in NY.

http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm

[TheGoodLife]

I would demand p/u as well! Why wasn't he at school? That is so dangerous and neglectful, that I would tell DCD that if it ever happened again it would be immediate termination. Then I would let them know that they need to let you know in advance if SA is not in school so you can adjust plans and not worry about them when you p/u from school. I'm not sure who would be liable if he were to get hurt or walk off, but either way it is not safe!

[mema]

What the?? Who just drops their kid off and leaves??? Seriously, what is wrong with some people? You have every right to be p.o.ed. What if something happened? I would call mom back and tell her she needs to come get jr. He wasn't well enough for school, he isn't well enough for care. Hope dad is prepared for the wrath of mom! I would be driving to his work and having a few words with him in the parking lot if I were his wife

[Crystal]

I'd almost bet Dad dropped him off while you were gone on purpose. Of course he knew you'd be at the school picking kids up. He left him there while you were gone because he wanted to avoid explaining why child missed school because he needed you to keep him.

I'd demand pick up, and I'd write a very stern letter regarding their lack of communication as to not needing to pick him up from school ( what a waste of time for you if other children happened to not need to be picked up), leaving on doorstep alone again would be grounds for termination of services and would warrant a call to CPS.

[Blackcat31]

I had a dcm tell me yesterday that the older sibling of my dck was home alone this week after school. Her thinking "Well it's only about an hour, he can just watch tv."

His after school program is closed for summer and she didn't plan ahead for alternate arrangements. Called me at the last minute Sunday evening, but I am at capacity.

SERIOUSLY!? I don't think I hid the look on my face well.

I see nothing wrong with a 9 year old being left alone for an hour.

Starting with small increments of time during the day is a good way to begin teaching them to be capable of staying home alone.

As long as the child is aware of who to call/contact in case of emergency.

[Cradle2crayons]

I see nothing wrong with a 9 year old being left alone for an hour.

Starting with small increments of time during the day is a good way to begin teaching them to be capable of staying home alone.

As long as the child is aware of who to call/contact in case of emergency.

I agree. I've left my 10 year old alone for 20 minutes to run to the country store a half a mile from my house. That's about as far as I've been . She knows how and who to call and what to do and not do.

I guess I have hang ups because of how I grew up alone at the age of six.

[BumbleBee]

He was absent from school due to a badly sprained ankle.

Apparently dad tried to get ahold of me this am on my land line but I was out at the park w/the preschoolers. Seriously, leave a message, keep calling, call my cell phone....ANYTHING besides what he did.

I'll post more later I've got kids to wake from nap & a preschooler to get in line.