Joined Apr 2009
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My 4yr old was left at his dad's home w/ a 10 and 8 yr old...what do I do?
February 18, 2013 at
08:39 PM
in
Babies & Kids
(2)
sorry people. I never venture into the Lounge, but I figured this was worth the question. My son is four and his dad and I have been split up/divorced for 3 yrs+. we have split custody and trade off every other week. we live in TX.
My son told me that he was left at home with the other two boys that live in his home that are 10 and 8 (ex lives with his GF and her 2 kids)
I am thinking of getting a lawyer and taking him to court for child endangerment.
I can understand maybe a 13+ yr old watching some other kid but not 10 and 8. They have no knowledge of CPR, first aid, calling 911 in a panic, fire danger, not answering the front door.
Any thoughts, suggestions? I am kind of scared of turning his dad in, as to what can happen on the weeks I dont have him, but I feel helpless putting my son in that situation.
I called my ex and he admitted they left them but "only for a few mins, and it wasnt my concern on the weeks that arent mine"
(please excuse the typing as my s and w key are busted, so I have to cut and paste. )
My son told me that he was left at home with the other two boys that live in his home that are 10 and 8 (ex lives with his GF and her 2 kids)
I am thinking of getting a lawyer and taking him to court for child endangerment.
I can understand maybe a 13+ yr old watching some other kid but not 10 and 8. They have no knowledge of CPR, first aid, calling 911 in a panic, fire danger, not answering the front door.
Any thoughts, suggestions? I am kind of scared of turning his dad in, as to what can happen on the weeks I dont have him, but I feel helpless putting my son in that situation.
I called my ex and he admitted they left them but "only for a few mins, and it wasnt my concern on the weeks that arent mine"
(please excuse the typing as my s and w key are busted, so I have to cut and paste. )
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I mean if it's one incident you could ask politely that it not happen again...but it sounds like you're making a mountain out of a mole hill. Because you want to go after him immediately with court...why not just try talking about it calmly...
But I guess I'm not an over protective parent like most are these days.
The kids always pay the biggest price for the choices of their parents.
If you are simply looking to screw him over, check your local laws and see what your state min age is for this situation. If it is 12, you could do something about it, although I suspect they (CPS) will simply tell him not to do it again for a first offense.
You also need to realize that you are not the only parent for this child and his father is going to raise him as he sees fit.
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The kids always pay the biggest price for the choices of their parents.
I have no choice over our custody situation. He wanted 50% custody so that's what we decided.
No one here could say that even if a child knew CPR or not to answer the door or how to call 911 that they would actually do it in an emergency situation.
I called my ex asking for him to clarify what my son said and as soon as I asked he went off on my telling and cursing and saying if I did something about it I would be burning bridges.
In my opinion, i don't thing there is ever a situation where I would leave my son and not want to take him with me. Going to the store? Take him with me...going to dinner? Take him with me or get a babysitter...
I have no choice over our custody situation. He wanted 50% custody so that's what we decided.
No one here could say that even if a child knew CPR or not to answer the door or how to call 911 that they would actually do it in an emergency situation.
I called my ex asking for him to clarify what my son said and as soon as I asked he went off on my telling and cursing and saying if I did something about it I would be burning bridges.
In my opinion, i don't thing there is ever a situation where I would leave my son and not want to take him with me. Going to the store? Take him with me...going to dinner? Take him with me or get a babysitter...
There is nothing we can do as parents to replace a child when they've been taken from us. I know from experience. However, you come off as having more of a vendetta against your ex than a concern for your child.
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In the end it depends on the maturity of the children. I would have no problems leaving my nine year old daughter home for 20 minutes. She has known how to call 911 since she was five. She knows not to answer the door or the phone. Not to use the microwave. She is very responsible. But I would not leave her with her six year old sister because they fight too much.
What you need to do is teach your son how to call 911 and what emergencies are for when he should call 911. Teach him his phone # and address. Teach him your cell phone # so that he can call you if he doesn't feel safe. These are all things he needs to know for his own safety regardless of who is watching him. Teach him to not answer the door or the phone if no adults are in the house. You are responsible for making your son responsible.