I Can't Believe A Parent Would Do That!

[CraftyMom]

Did you talk to them about it? I know you said they pick up and drop off quickly, but if you didn't report then I would assume you spoke with them and told them how serious it is and YOUR license is at risk and it can NEVER happen again

I'm not sure what I would do honestly, I might call my licensor and get her opinion and give her a heads up in case an neighbors tried to accuse ME of leaving them there.

Is it cold where you are?

[hope]

There is no reason dcd couldn't put the 2 children in the car to go to the gas station to make the call to you. They could have choked, tripped and landed on a rock or stick, panicked because they were left alone, climb fence, not to mention any wild life that could cause harm. I wouldn't allow one child out of my sight for a second in my yard. It is not too late to make the call.

[Unregistered]

Origional poster I can understand that this is a difficult position that you're in. But you need to think of what if. What if the child was hurt on your property and the parents turned around and sued you. Does that sound outrageous? Of course it is. But you can lose everything just because of their stupidity. How would you like it if somebody else complained and CPS came and took your kids because of this family? If you absolutely want to still keep them I would insist on them getting parenting classes and make sure that you get some form of proof that they attended.

But personally I would be calling CPS. This is just too much of a liability. But this is your business and it's up to you.

[LysesKids]

Really? I am curious to know what kind of things you called on parents for.

Honestly I am not an idiot, and I care about the children. I am just having a really hard time with this.

Haven't been in the business too long so haven't dealt with this sort of thing yet.

I definitely see both sides of the situation though.

My very first call happened 6 months into my first year... Single mom was a nurse... 2 kids both under 4, little girl (2.5) got bit on her behind by their dog & mom didn't tell me; changed babies diaper ( she was crying that she hurt too) , her but was severely bruised & cut - called mom to come take her to ER (Mom was 5 minutes from me at the hospital) - nope she refused, said her job was more important than kids injury - called CPS, told them and guess what - turns out she had another possible neglect already - Mom took kids & left the state the next day with CPS chasing her.

2nd one same year, Mom decided to whip her child in front of all the daycare n kids & my own after I told her it wasn't allowed in my home ( it was at pickup and he had been acting out bad); WV doesn't allow spanking kids (even your own) for punishment and this was a whipping ( kid was 5)... yeah, so not happening on my watch - again called CPS as she left

3rd time Mom came to pick up her disabled child on Date night and she had been drinking... told her I was calling cops and CPS if she left with her child, that I would gladly call a cab for her to get home ( on her dime)... nope she started arguing and tried to hit me ( again in front of my own child) and she took off with her daughter... cops arrested her less than a block from my house

[finsup]

I would (and have) reported parents for this. Nobody has tried it here but in the school setting I used to work in, it happened more then I expected to say the least. There were always excuses, some legitimate, some not. Bottom line though, its not my job to make that call. My job is to report it. Cps takes it from there. Of course if it happened with a dcp, *if* I let them stay (and that's a big if) there would be a signed drop off agreement and strict rules put in place. And yes, I would still report in addition to that.

[Annalee]

OP, look at this angle....What if someone saw those kids alone in your backyard and turned YOU in thinking you left them there ALONE?????? I would call simply to cover your own back and put the blame on the parent because this could have easily backfired on you!