Ray Rays Pledge - Child Vehicular Heatstroke

[Josiegirl]

I won't get into it with you Nannyde, I respect a lot of your wisdom. But for many of us, it would be a 2 minute phone call(all the added steps of a center doesn't usually apply to a registered home such as mine). Even if it's because they're at the dentist and we forgot, or they were up all night with a puking child, I'd bet they'd appreciate a quick call with caring intentions.

As I said, I don't believe it should be our responsibility but if taking an extra step helps save even 1 life......

[nannyde]

I won't get into it with you Nannyde, I respect a lot of your wisdom. But for many of us, it would be a 2 minute phone call(all the added steps of a center doesn't usually apply to a registered home such as mine). Even if it's because they're at the dentist and we forgot, or they were up all night with a puking child, I'd bet they'd appreciate a quick call with caring intentions.

As I said, I don't believe it should be our responsibility but if taking an extra step helps save even 1 life......

I don't have a problem with daycares doing it. I just don't want it to ever be required as a minimum standard.

[NightOwl]

No, I would never be Ok for it to be a requirement. I do it for MYSELF. I am the sort of person who takes responsibility for everyone, even when it's not my responsibility at all. I wish I could change that, but I can't. I'm hard wired that way. So the guilt would literally eat me alive even if there's nothing to be guilty about (I know, I'm nuts). So I text. If I KNOW they were supposed to be here and they're not, I text. When they leave in the evening, no, I don't concern myself with if they're being supervised during their baths and where they went after leaving here, but there's always going to be a little twinge of worry in me when they don't show up when expected. So I relieve that twinge by sending a quick text for ME.

[jokalima]

Jokalima,
I just want to say thank you for posting this topic. I think it's a good discussion to have, to share our opinions, to open people's eyes. I have to admit I started off thinking I would never be one of 'those' parents that it could happen to. But then....all it would take is one giant stupid senseless tragic mistake. And it might have been my child. Or a child of someone I know.

No, it isn't our responsibility to ensure the safety of our dcks outside of our homes or centers. I remember calling one of my dcms this past winter; she has to travel an hour to get here and it was a terribly snowy crappy day out. She was supposed to be here at 8:00 so I called when she hadn't gotten here by 9:30, to see if she was still coming. She was waiting to get pulled out of a snowbank, thankfully not far from home. What does a 2 minute call take out of our day?

Honestly, I never thought it was going to get this kind of response, just shared it like I said before, to create awareness. It's good to know though, the points of view of others, sometimes we can learn from them and yes, agree to disagree.

Blackcat

Also enduring personal tragedy teaches you really fast what to accept responsibility for and what not to.

I see it differently. For me, enduring personal tragedy has taught me that once a tragedy happens there is no way to turn back in time and change it and how terrible it is to know that, to live that. My family went through something really hard that changed all of our lives. At the begining I just could not escape the thought of me not being able to escape from that new reality. I was faced to live with something that I did not choose to live with and I could not escape it. With time I learned to live with that, but I was depressed for a long time and every single day I prayed and wished that some kind of miracle happened where I would be able to change my reality. Those were for sure the worst years of my life and I just can't imagine someone else going through something similar or even worse like loosing a child. So while I am very aware that it is not part of my responsabilities, I also know that I don't want no one I know go through those same emotions I went through.

I guess we all react to tragedy differently and learn from our own personal experiences in different ways.

[originalkat]

Hmmm. Interesting. I have always called because I want to know if I should expect the kid or not (for my own selfish reasons). I dont take babies or toddlers so it is highly unlikely that this would happen with a preschooler, but still...I call/text cuz I want to know and plan my day accordingly.

It should never be mandated...but possibly saving a child's life. Yea, I think it is worth it no matter whose responsibility it is.

I like the App idea. Thats a good one!

[TwinKristi]

No, I would never be Ok for it to be a requirement. I do it for MYSELF. I am the sort of person who takes responsibility for everyone, even when it's not my responsibility at all. I wish I could change that, but I can't. I'm hard wired that way. So the guilt would literally eat me alive even if there's nothing to be guilty about (I know, I'm nuts). So I text. If I KNOW they were supposed to be here and they're not, I text. When they leave in the evening, no, I don't concern myself with if they're being supervised during their baths and where they went after leaving here, but there's always going to be a little twinge of worry in me when they don't show up when expected. So I relieve that twinge by sending a quick text for ME.

This is me too, exactly!

[Hunni Bee]

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.

I agree. I have never not been aware that my child was with me, and I have split custody and my mother has her one day a week plus daycare. My baby is never far from my mind.

BUT I ALWAYS put her bag up in the front next to my purse. Also I walk around the car past her seat when I get out. This things take zero time and if parents get in the habit, it'll be be second nature.

I agree, it is totally the parents responbility.

[coolconfidentme]

You are so right! If a provider or bus driver or aunt/uncle left their child in the car to die I would imagine the parents would be asking for them to be prosecuted. They would want them to be held responsible for the death of their child. I don't think they would accept the "I forgot" excuse.

They ARE being prosecuted. Here is a case of a provider being charge for leaving kids in the car with the AC on: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...265385771.html