concerns about some children

p_joker

Im not sure if Im just being a busy body or if there's someone I can talk to about this, I visit my dad once a week and a few doors up from him there are a family with a few kids, I don't have any concerns about their overall well being but I was quite shocked the other day - they allow the kids to play in the street for hours even though their quite young I don't allow mine at age 4 to play in the street and I think one of theirs is younger than that, but on Saturday the little girl was in the street around 6.30 naked apart from a pair of knickers! she went back in the house and came out with a pair of trousers but no top, but she's been doing it most nights, she runs about with hardly any clothes on, I find it shocking that in this day and age her mother lets this go on. What would you do? If i have a word with the mother i run this risk of being told to do one and I don't want to phone anyone if I can avoid it

peachyprice

Are you concerned that the child is out by herself? Or because she is getting cold?

p_joker

well I'm worried about her being out by herself and I don't think a young girl should be half naked in the street, its not like its even been very hot. In a time when we hear about kids being abducted I think her mother must be stupid

VfM4meplse

It's not acceptable for children of that age to be out half dressed and unsupervised, if you're fearful ofpersonal repercussions then inform social services and let them take action - at this stage it will only be a warning. If someone chooses to neglect their children in this way they don't deserve them.

shell_girl

Was the little girl on her own or was she with brothers/ sisters?

Not sure what her clothes have to do with it though to be honest.

peachyprice

The world is the same place it was 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, there are no more children abducted or abused, we just know more about it due to the amount of information available at the push of a button.

If all you are worried about is her lack of clothing then I think you'd be best to keep that to yourself, it says far more about you than the child's parents.

peachyprice

VfM4meplse wrote: »

It's not acceptable for children of that age to be out half dressed and unsupervised, if you're fearful ofpersonal repercussions then inform social services and let them take action - at this stage it will only be a warning. If someone chooses to neglect their children in this way they don't deserve them.

Since when has giving children the freedom to play been neglect?

Oh yes, far better to cosset them up indoors and stick them infront of the TV.

clearingout

it's probably not ideal that children are out playing in the street half naked, no. but perhaps it is an indication of how safe the parents feel their neighbhourhood is and how comfortable they are with their actual neighbours. I wouldn't like to drive down that street, however! I'd be terrified of running one of them over! My children play in the back garden all the time - we have children on either side of us and they get up to all sorts over the fences which they all enjoy - and I don't particularly supervise them as I often have things to be getting on with. The eldest will soon yell if there's a problem and the younger two will scream their heads off so I know about it!

Many parents are 'uptight' these days about what MIGHT happen if they do/don't do x, y and z or a, b and c. Not all of us can live like that. I'm prepared to accept the consequences if one of my children is badly hurt but on the off chance that they trip over the flower pot that starts a slow-motion chain reaction to them knocking themselves out and pulling a brick wall down on top of all of them, I'll let them get on with it!

pigpen

Good grief.. the estate where I lived a few years ago almost all the children played out in all weathers in pretty much the same attire.. some were barely toddling and out in a sopping wet nappy hanging down between their knees!! You'd have had a field day!

HOWEVER.. while that is plainly stupid and careless parenting.. those children are rarely the ones that get abducted... What time are they out until? We had a Polish family here who allowed their very small girls (about 3 and 5) to play outside in the dark until maybe 10 or 11pm.. unsupervised.. They had SS pay a visit (not my doing I will add!) and it is normal in their country to do this as a lot live in complexes of flats or community buildings they didn't see an issue until it was pointed out.

My tiny 16 y/o daughter took a 10 inch knife from 2 small children in the street today.. :eek: .. and walked home with said knife.. apparently the small boy was holding the blade and digging the grass from between pavers and when his younger sister wanted a turn he lashed out with the knife at her..

There are far more worrying things than being underdressed.

rachbc

Letting kids play out is not neglect. Just because you choose not to let your own children enjoy the same freedoms don't judge those that do.

How frequently have you actually seen this? You say you visit your dad once a week but that she is out 'most nights' - how do you know if you are only there 1 night a week? 6.30 isn't late - in fact it s great time for them to burn off any last energy before bed and bath. Not sure why you are so shocked at the lack of clothes - some kids just don't like wearing them - my dd is a perpetual undresser - we compromise at knickers if we have company!

Emmzi

think it depends on the neighbourhood. where I live all the kids know each other, the parents can watch from indoors, it'd be fine.