Ray Rays Pledge - Child Vehicular Heatstroke

[Blackcat31]

BC
I totally get it and agree with you that it is the parents responsibility
but what if this does happen to a child in your daycare?

Like I said, this hits close to home.

What if a baby is late, you remember this thread, would you stand by your beliefs or call the parent?

Yep. I would stand by my beliefs.

I'm tired of the media using people's feelings (in regards to small, helpless children) as guilt trips to deflect the attention from the person/people truly responsible for their care and well being.

The minute a child is involved, it seems people think it's everyone's issue or problem to solve.

While I agree it takes a village to raise a child, the PARENT needs to be the responsible party FIRST.

[jenboo]

I do not have contracted hours. Families can drop off anytime before lunch. Usually if I dont hear from them by the time I start preparing lunch (1130) then ill send a quick text.

Yes, it is sad that children are being forgotten about in cars but I don't think it needs to be my responsibility. Parents need to parent.

I cant imagine having to babysit a parent when they have their own child on their own time. Am i going to have to start calling each night to make sure their child is being supervised in the bathtub? Or call to make sure they are using safe sleep practices??

I really do feel for the parents and families that this has happened to. It is such a tragedy. But i do not think that the responsibility needs to be put on daycare providers. we are already liable for enough.

[tehck_1013]

I don't really have an issue if calling were mandated. I would draw the line at.accepting legal responsibility though.

I do think charges are warranted against parents who do this and a death occurs.

this.

[Blackcat31]

I don't really have an issue if calling were mandated. I would draw the line at.accepting legal responsibility though. Only the parents should be held legally.responsible. I do think charges are warranted against parents who do this and a death occurs.

Sadly though there has never been separation of that though.

If you are mandated then you are responsible...kwim?


I see this being much like the bars and taverns that are sued constantly because they over-served an adult patron and that drunk patron has an accident on the way home.

I have never understood that concept.

[jenboo]

Sadly though there has never been separation of that though.

If you are mandated then you are responsible...kwim?


I see this being much like the bars and taverns that are sued constantly because they over-served an adult patron and that drunk patron has an accident on the way home.

I have never understood that concept.

totally agree!

[tehck_1013]

I'd also like to know how parents can't hear their children. My kids are pretty good in the car but they are NOT silent. My son chatters on and on and on, how could I not remember to get him out? I'm at a loss. Are kids really that quiet?

I'd call if it had been a reasonable amount of time and if their arrival is usually predictable and on time... but I wouldn't call repeatedly. I'd also be miffed if it was mandated. Not because I think it's a hassle, because I would take the time if I felt it was necessary, but because mandating it for providers to call and check means the parents will rely on this and become even more lax and forgetful...

[nannyde]

I don't want to be involved in this at all. I don't transport kids and I don't want to have any liability when the kid is with their parents.

[jenboo]

I'd also like to know how parents can't hear their children. My kids are pretty good in the car but they are NOT silent. My son chatters on and on and on, how could I not remember to get him out? I'm at a loss. Are kids really that quiet?

I'd call if it had been a reasonable amount of time and if their arrival is usually predictable and on time... but I wouldn't call repeatedly. I'd also be miffed if it was mandated. Not because I think it's a hassle, because I would take the time if I felt it was necessary, but because mandating it for providers to call and check means the parents will rely on this and become even more lax and forgetful...

I think in most cases, the child falls asleep.

[Michelle]

I just don't want to be the daycare provider that find themselves saying "I noticed Baby X wasn't here. I could have called to check. I didn't. Baby X is dead.and.30 seconds of my time could have saved a life."

I don't really have an issue if calling were mandated. I would draw the line at.accepting legal responsibility though. Only the parents should be held legally.responsible. I do think charges are warranted against parents who do this and a death occurs.

I am the same way
I don't want to live the rest of my life with " what if's" or "I should have"

[Josiegirl]

I simply cannot wrap my brain around the fact that children can be forgotten in a car. I was mindless as a young parent, trying to remember every single thing. I'd forget cupcakes on the roof of the car, a can of coke, or cup of coffee, I even stopped at a yard sale once and left my purchases on top of the car. Forget my child/ren????? No, they were always my priority. I find it all too sad that it happens so often.
And no way should it be our duty. While sure, it's a nice courtesy to call checking up on our dcparents, no way should that be part of our job description.

[JenNJ]

How about instead of us taking on that responsibility -- a huge one -- parents take five seconds to remind themselves. All it takes is putting your left shoe in the back seat. You can't wander around with one shoe so chances are your feet on hot asphalt will remind you to get your kid out.

[Blackcat31]

How about instead of us taking on that responsibility -- a huge one -- parents take five seconds to remind themselves. All it takes is putting your left shoe in the back seat. You can't wander around with one shoe so chances are your feet on hot asphalt will remind you to get your kid out.

This kid invented something to help parents remember.

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/gadgets/pint-sized-inventor-wants-cut-down-hot-car-deaths-n151076

[TwinKristi]

I call/text if someone who was supposed to be here isn't. I have had a dad who didn't call me and was a no show. I texted dad and no reply. I texted mom and she replied thank God but my heart was pounding when the text didn't show read and no reply. I could imagine them in a car accident or he left her in the car at work... My mind was going crazy with "what ifs" and I've always told myself and anyone I know that I WILL call if someone doesn't show up. Far too often you read about these parents who were supposed to take their child to daycare. I always wonder why didn't they just call!??!? That call could have saved the child's life.

I understand and agree with us not "taking responsibility" because I don't think that's right, we shouldn't be responsible for what parents do outside of our care aside from major neglect or abuse that we fail to report. I will always call and make contact if they don't show up and would go as far as contacting people on their emergency list and ultimately the police if I didn't get a response. That would really freak me out.

I read a story a few years back about a woman who left her son in the car, around 18-24mos I would say? She had done it once before but the provider called and she ran out in time but that was during summer I think but the death occurred during winter or vice versa. I think the provider called that time as well but it was too late. The fact that it happened twice to me showed neglect and I think she faced charges but don't know if she was sentenced or anything. It's been awhile.

The other recent story from last week about the 22 month old that they're pressing charges against is so tragic but I feel it was murder. I think it was all planned out and executed properly. So sad... I think the vast majority are accidents, but none the less, a life is lost due to parental neglect. I've never really "forgotten" my kids. I think when my youngest was small I took groceries in and went back to get my purse and realized I left him in the car or something but we're talking 2 mins. I didn't just forget he was there, but I got side tracked and it scared me! I was really worried about that for a long time. It's just so scary and seems to happen often

[Cradle2crayons]

Like I said, this hits close to home.



Yep. I would stand by my beliefs.

I'm tired of the media using people's feelings (in regards to small, helpless children) as guilt trips to deflect the attention from the person/people truly responsible for their care and well being.

The minute a child is involved, it seems people think it's everyone's issue or problem to solve.

While I agree it takes a village to raise a child, the PARENT needs to be the responsible party FIRST.

Exactly my point. I require all parents to text when they are on the way to drop off and on the way to pick up. For different reasons though.

If a child is supposed to be here and don't text to say they are on the way, then I would text them asking if they were on the way. Again for different reasons.

However, it's not my responsibility to care for parents. I would not support mandating it because as you say, it would imply RESPONSIBILITY on my part if something happened.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I can't see how a daycare could be sued if a PARENT leaves the child in the car and walks away.

I also can't see how the daycare would be held responsible if they called both parents and got no reply, especially if they left a voicemail or text.

In regards to the current story out of Georgia......I would not want to be the teacher that didn't call. I'm sure that center hasn't had any new enrollments. I'm not saying at all the daycare was responsible....the guilt must be unbearable.

My cpr trainer once told me that the #1 reason people who are trained in cpr don't attempt it in a life threatening situation is because they are afraid of being sued. Does fear of litigation really trump morality now?