Would anyone else leave a sleeping baby home alone - or am I overreacting?

dlorde

It is not acceptable, and legally very questionable.

The government web site says: "..it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk... babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone" (my bolding).

From The Telegraph: "Parents can be prosecuted for wilful neglect if they leave a child unsupervised "in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health"... Punishment can range from a fine to 10 years imprisonment. The Government says the legislation does not specify an age because children mature at different rates... the CLC (Children's Legal Centre) and the children's charity the NSPCC suggest that in general, children younger than 16 should not be left alone."

*max*

It sends shivers down your spine, thinking what could happen to the poor mite, doesn't it? He could be sick and choke, he could try to climb out and fall or get stuck, there could be a fire...._pale_

Urgh. Stupid, irresponsible idiot of a mother!!!

zoesmummy_2006

God no, never ever ever EVER acceptable. I have a 5 & 3 year old and would never dream of leaving them alone in the house at all. I'm a single mum, I have a shop literally 5 doors away, but if i need anything we all go or go without, simple.

I dont understand how anyone can even contemplate leaving a baby alone, even if they are asleep!!

threemuttleys

Nope...not good at all...only time I leave the house (without DS) Is to go into the garden with the dogs..and then I have the baby monitor with me, never out of signal range

Caroline73_2

It's dangerous and I would report it to social services. I don't care if people think I'm an interfering busybody. I'd rather that than have a child's death on my conscience.

sulkisu

Thank you all for your replies.

In this instance I think it really is a case of 'I know what the dangers are, but it won't happen to me'. Far from being a young, naive woman - she's a professional in her late 30's. She has a good job, a big house and could easily afford a babysitter. I mentioned most of the things thst you all have posted, e.g. the possibility of a fire, burglar, her being hit by a car! It just went in one ear and out of the other. We have Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco home delivery covering our area, so anything can be delivered to her front door. At least I know that I am not overreacting.

Our mother baby group and baby clinic are combined, so we see the same health visitors. As someone suggested, I might mention it to the health visitor first, just to see what they think.

I know that he's not my child but if anything happened to her son because she has left him alone and I knew about it but had done nothing, I would never forgive myself.

samuelsmommy

You are not over reacting, what she is doing is wrong both morally and legally. You need to report her, for the safety of the child

Darlyd

Caroline73 wrote: »

It's dangerous and I would report it to social services. I don't care if people think I'm an interfering busybody. I'd rather that than have a child's death on my conscience.

I agree!

It's wrong, something could happen to that child, anything. What if he caught something around his neck? What if he climbed out and managed to get down the stairs, OR worse. Defo no way!!

samuelsmommy

skylight wrote: »

No way.
Not since a woman lost her young son in a fire 2 streets away a few years back. She only popped to a friends house a few doors down.

But, each to their own. If thats what she wants to do with her son, it has nothing to do with you and you need to stop worrying about it - there is nothing you can do.

:eek:
Of course there is something she can do, get SS involed they can help her get the support she so obviously needs and make sure the child is looked after!

robpw2

i would report it too .. the baby is at risk !