we are between a rock and a hard place, we are not wanting to make waves but these kids are not ours we started out by babysitting during the week for about 50 hours but now the parents are leaving them here all day and all night without coming back for days they are our friends and they trust us but we need help....
2006-06-14 11:20:08 · 23 answers · asked by Quinn 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
ps we are getting $50 weekly for the time that they are here for that but we have had them all week long (Since) last monday they came here Sunday night and saw them for about 2 hours and the mother said that she needed to get out of here she was going crazy lol cause one was sick and crying (they are 2 yr old twins)
2006-06-14 11:27:26 · update #1
Just try in talk to the mother and father first, getting cps involved can bring on a whole lot more drama than any of you need or expected. If the kids are not being physically or verbally abused or mistreated other than the fact that the mother and father like to leave them with you, then like I said, use all your options but make sure if you decide to call cps that it is your last option. Once cps is involved things turn ugly quick, and I'd hate for the kids to be taken away over something like that, especially if the mother or father just needed to be reminded that you don't appreciate them leaving the kids like that, it may just be a matter of you speaking up that can solve this! Good luck in whatever you decide!
2006-06-15 06:04:07 · answer #1 · answered by Nyema 3 · 5⤊ 3⤋
You have two options here:
1)the next time you see the parents, tell them that you think they need to be home more, and that you won't babysit for them all week like this. Tell them that their children miss them and need them! The pro to this is you don't have to turn your friends/employers into the police. The con is that your friends will probably get very angry at you for trying to tell them how to parent and fire you and get new people who will babysit all the time, or they might leave the kids home alone, and then you won't even be there to take care of them.
2)You could just call the authorities. The cons to this are that you might feel bad about getting your friends in trouble and you will definitiely lose your friends, but the pro is that you will be doing the thing that might most quickly and effectively impact these kids lives for the better.
You could try first telling the parents how you feel, and see if they get angry or if they change things so they are around more. Then, if they fire you, blow up at you, or don't change their ways, you can call the authorities. Either way, something should be done, it's not right to leave children at home like that for a week, and it's not fair that they're leaving their parental responsibilities to you!
2006-06-14 19:45:05 · answer #2 · answered by cay_damay 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think I answered another question about these kids earlier today, the one about getting the parents to pay more for the child care you provide. Anyway, you need to call CPS immediately. I have a home day care now, but worked in preschool for a few years. We had to call CPS a couple of times and they told us never to notify the parents before you contact CPS. CPS wants to see the situation for what it is, not a parent knowing they might be investigated trying to make a quick change in behavior. If these parents have not seen their children since Monday, and have not paid for your services or told you when they would return for the children, they are abandoning them. I know you love these children and you want to help the parents out if you can, but the best thing for you to do is get the authorities involved. If these people can't take care of their children, they can't keep the children. It may even be that CPS would consider allowing the twins to stay with you if there is no other family in the area. They know you and are comfortable at your house, it never hurts to ask. Good luck, you need to be an advocate for these kids!
EDIT: MORGAN, did you get my reply email? It gave me an oops message when I tried to send it. Just wonderin, thanks.
2006-06-14 22:10:52 · answer #3 · answered by disneychick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first instinct is to say yes. But how are they with the kids when they are around. This may just be a case of somebody taking advantage of you. If when they have the kids they play with them and treat them right then they probably just think your a door mat. If they don't call and check on the kids for days then maybe they aren't good parents and may need some counseling. If the kids are old enough ask them what they think of their parents. You don't want to stick them in the system unless you are absolutley sure because it will take a long time to get them out of the system and to tell you the truth it isn't always the best system.
2006-06-14 18:29:28 · answer #4 · answered by Danielle W 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
These children need help. This is not your job, I don't care how much they pay. The parents obviously can't care for these children. You HAVE to get help for these kids!!! This is not a time to worry about friendship - you have more than done your part. They are helpless children. Without a doubt, CALL CPS!!!!! It's not about separating children from their parents, it's about keeping kids safe! Come on, every child deserves that. I know it's hard, but do what you have to do. God bless.
2006-06-14 19:32:39 · answer #5 · answered by olelady55 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you are in a difficult situation. You need to ask yourself some questions to make the decision. First off are they paying you to watch the children, or just dumping them on you? Second, why are they leaving them so long? Are they working long hours, or is it child abandonment? Are they providing you with clean clothes, diapers, things the children need? Can they be reached in an emergency? If you are leaning towards child abandonment, and you really feel stongly that these parents should be doing more for their kids, then yes definately call. It is not your responsibility to raise someone else's kids, friends or not. Tell them your concerns and see what they do, maybe they just don't realize what they've been doing to you.
2006-06-14 18:28:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would call CPS rather than talk to the parents. I know it sounds cruel, but what if they take these kids and then leave them either home alone or with someone who wouldn't be as caring as you. It seems clear that they aren't able to care for them and at least the kids would have a chance to be placed with a family who wants them or with extended relatives if possible.
2006-06-14 22:36:50 · answer #7 · answered by spazz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While CPS may be perceived as "the big bad wolf," they're usually not. Sure, they make mistakes and they do overreact, but these people get into these careers because they love children. They truly have at heart "the best interest of the child" and usually don't take children from families unless it becomes absolutely necessary.
2006-06-14 19:39:28 · answer #8 · answered by MrM 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah call cps and be anonimous they won't tell who called and if they ask you say no. Better safe than sorry when it comes to kids. and don't try to talk to the parents if they are leaving them for days then who knows you might here on the news that some kids where killed and thrown in the trash because their parents wanted to party. its sad but that is reality.
Do the right thing and call CPS
Do it for the kid or give the info on answers and i will call for you
2006-06-14 18:29:20 · answer #9 · answered by dido45dido 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If this were happening in a regular day care center, the staff would be required to call CPS if this happened repeatedly. It is one thing to be late, but what these people are doing is abandonment.
2006-06-15 13:32:03 · answer #10 · answered by angelsister23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋