What do you think of this situation: Sally lives in a 3 story apartment on the second floor with her two children (a toddler and a 6 month old). The laundry room is on the bottom floor. If Sally waits until her children are taking their naps is it ok for her to run downstairs for just a few minutes to wash and dry her clothing. Is this neglect? Tell me what you think. Her mother thinks that it is.
Also, the toddler sleeps in a secure bed with the door shut. He is just 2 so he still sleeps in a crib.
And, is this any different than having a two story house with the children upstairs and the laundry room down stairs? Thank you, Sally will appreciate any input. She really just wants her children to be clean and safe.
2006-11-16 04:13:06 · 9 answers · asked by SexxyPrincess 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I don't think it's neglect when she's tending to their needs (having them get their rest AND providing them with clean clothes). I think the neglect would be if she was in the laundry room for hours on end. She could always get monitors for each one of the children and place the base in the laundry room. She'll be able to hear what's going on. Grandma could foot the bill since she's has a problem with her daughter or she could come on over and babysit so the clothes can be washed!
2006-11-16 04:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by whadda-dingo-gal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's neglect if she believes that they are both safe in their cribs sleeping while she's away for a few minutes. How else will she get anything done? I'm sure she's doing all those chores for her children so they could have clean clothes. With children, even when you're looking right at them, they can hurt themselves in some way or another. What you have to look at is if any harm is being done to the children and that's an obvious no. Besides, you can't sit beside them the entire time they're sleeping. Another option would be to take the kids with her while she's doing laundry.
2006-11-16 13:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could pick this one apart on technicalities, or you could think like a reasonable human being.
No it's not neglect! She's doing laundry. I think it's child endangerment to carry a toddler, and infant and a basket of laundry down the stairs at the same time.
She just needs to lock her apartment door when she's downstairs, and she needs to return to her sleeping children within a reasonable amount of time. ie: run downstairs, put the laundry in the washer, run back upstairs.
If she was sitting down there during the whole wash and dry cycle, then I think that's questionable.
Neglect is reserved for those crazy people that don't feed, wash clothes, or care for their children, and leave them alone for an entire day. That's neglect!
2006-11-16 13:06:51 · answer #3 · answered by Chellebelle78 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yah... the difference is, in a home no one can come in without you knowing. In a apartment other people live there.
Is the apartment looked while Sally is out for two minutes??
Not to worry Sally but....I would be a little paranoid that if something were to happen, it would be while I was out......
I do know that getting the chores done while the kids are sleeping really is the best time, however you can never be too careful!!
2006-11-16 12:34:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know it all sounds reasonable...However, things can happen in the blink of an eye. Granted those things can also happen while one is in the basement doing laundry and a child is asleep on the second floor. In my state the law is that it would be considered neglect if something compromised the safety of a minor child and the parent or caregiver was not in eye sight or earshot.
Also in my state a child is not allowed to be left unattended without supervision under the age of 11.
I would suggest that you contact social services to inquire about you own states guidelines.
I know I am gonna get beat up on this one and I am not saying that I necessarily agree with it. I am just telling you what the law is.
2006-11-16 12:16:13 · answer #5 · answered by shughes2000_2000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in a sense it is.
do u lock your apt doors when you go down to do laundry? if not then you leave the possibility of someone coming into your apt in which your children could be harmed or even taken. not that it will happen, it's just a possibility.
also another possibility would be that your child has trouble breathing or falls out of the crib accidentally and no one is there to care for him right away or call for help.
again these are just possibilities they may not happen but you never know.
to be honest that same could be said for the 2 story house other than the fact that usually in apt buildings the laundry rooms its very hard to hear outside noises from the room.
2006-11-16 12:36:57 · answer #6 · answered by babyg1rl_22 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I also have a laundry room in my lower floor,but i always secure things b4 i go down and I make it quik,because u never know what might happen. kids can wake up on a dime. i have 4 boys and if he is determined to get out of his crib,he will. I would only stay down there long enough to put clothes in and then run back down and throw them in the dryer and keep going back and forth until they are done I know this sounds tyring but its a small sacrafice to make to assure the safety of your little gifts from God
2006-11-16 14:05:46 · answer #7 · answered by sandy b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
come on Neglect... NO... the mom's just trying to provide for the family . would u rather have ur children have nasty clothes and get sick or clean ones . its not neglect...never
2006-11-16 12:17:54 · answer #8 · answered by DLF'N'GRL 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no! thats not neglect! thats choosing your time wisely! lol! well if she wants to she could bring her children with her as a trip or something
2006-11-16 13:28:27 · answer #9 · answered by the helper 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋