There's a trailer next to us with what seems to be a single parent (female) and 2 kids, boy 9 and girl 7. She is out all day (at work?) and leaves the kids at their trailer alone all day. According to the boy they are not supposed to go outside during the day. Is it allowed here (Wa.) and should this just be ignored or should it be reported to someone?Hard to imagine a parent doing this with such young kids. At least the trailer is in the shade and it's fairly cool here.

I feel sorry for all 3 of them.

At least it sounds like she's trying to make a go of it for her family,more than we can say for many. Unless there is obvious neglect,why punish her for trying?

Tough call......single parent has to go to work, can't afford daycare/babysitter. So what is she suppose to do?Sounds like kids know what's up. I grew up coming home from school to an empty house, mom had to work.Neighborhood moms kept an eye out..and whipped my butt a time or two.I applaud the Mom for working and understand the issues.Hopefully the CG has a few Moms keeping an eye out.

That's a real shame but a reality in today's world. Perhaps the campground management knows a little more about their family situation.

That would be a tough one to answer, I agree though that she is at least trying to do the right thing. I most definitely feel sorry for the mother and kids.

Leaving kids unattended in RV all day? | Good Sam Community

157 Replies

Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2015
wbwood wrote:
Bird Freak wrote:
Crowe wrote:
Davosfam, like I have discovered, you are wasting your breath. Seems many of the posters are more concerned about being PC than anything else. It IS a horrible burden for a child to bear should something happen to the other one. We seem to be in the minority feeling that a 9 year old isn't mature enough to be in charge. Hopefully it's just a short-term solution to a short-term problem.
As I stated before , I have worked with CPS before and have seen too many CONCERNED folks break up good family's over nothing. We found that most reports filed by folks like you were not founded but the parents still had a file that stayed with them. Guess you like making trouble for family situations you really know nothing about.

It's not CONCERNED folks breaking up families. It's CONCERNED folks reporting a CONCERN. CPS is the one that breaks up a family. They just don't do it. They have to have reasons to do it. If a family gets broken up, it's because CPS and/or a judge deemed it necessary for the child or children to be removed from an unfit home.
I wish you were correct but you are not.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2015
I, too, wonder why this post continues. Everything has been said - over and over again.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2015
Boy O' Boy - this forum is turning into a reality show. Maybe that's the point of even letting this thread exist.

Can't we get back to dog poop and Chinese tires?
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
westernrvparkowner wrote:
wbwood wrote:
A quick 5 minute search...most of them happened in the last couple months...whether one feels they should interven or not, they should ask themselves that if something happened to those kids and they could of possibly stopped it by talking/helping the mother out or referring it to the people running the park, would they feel ok the next day knowing they didn't lift a finger?

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And a thirty second search found that the latest census estimates there are 4,500,000 " latch key" children in the US. Going to be pretty onerous to take them all away from their parents.

sorry to hurt your feelings as you own a park, but it had nothing to do about latch key children in the U.S. nor crimes at against children. Was a reference to crimes in RV parks and criminals being taken into custody in RV parks. Has to do with RV parks and campgroudns being a transient community. But I suppose your spotless park has had no issues. I'm sure you do criminal backgrounds on all that enter your park on a daily basis and do not allow just anyone wanting a site with a buck in their hand. After all, it's about having a great safe community for travelers and money means nothing.... :R
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Bird Freak wrote:
Crowe wrote:
Davosfam, like I have discovered, you are wasting your breath. Seems many of the posters are more concerned about being PC than anything else. It IS a horrible burden for a child to bear should something happen to the other one. We seem to be in the minority feeling that a 9 year old isn't mature enough to be in charge. Hopefully it's just a short-term solution to a short-term problem.
As I stated before , I have worked with CPS before and have seen too many CONCERNED folks break up good family's over nothing. We found that most reports filed by folks like you were not founded but the parents still had a file that stayed with them. Guess you like making trouble for family situations you really know nothing about.

It's not CONCERNED folks breaking up families. It's CONCERNED folks reporting a CONCERN. CPS is the one that breaks up a family. They just don't do it. They have to have reasons to do it. If a family gets broken up, it's because CPS and/or a judge deemed it necessary for the child or children to be removed from an unfit home.
davosfam
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
Crowe wrote:
I'm well aware of who the OP is. I have a complete grasp on what's going on. Too many people here care more about offending someone than ensuring two kids well-being. You don't have to agree-that's my take on the whole situation-but I have every right to make my assumptions. Most are assuming all is OK. Maybe it isn't. Are you sure they have a cell phone so they can contact Mom? Are you sure Coolbreeze isn't in the same campground as the OP therefore is able to cook? My point was if someone else has to take care of those kids by dinner time then whether or not Mom is working becomes irrelevant. Leaving two young, vulnerable children alone all day long is unacceptable. I'm just marveling at all the hypocrites on here who scream that too many parents work and should be home with their kids yet think this situation is OK.

My thoughts are along the same line as yours, Crowe. I still don't know how to handle it but would definitely be watching what's going on.
mich800
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
Crowe wrote:
Hopefully my sarcasm does not go unnoticed.

Sarcasm duly noted but over-the-top cases are not good examples.

Is it over the top? CPS intervened because someone was camping in a disbursed area (not a campground) and someone assumed there was a problem. Are you familiar with the process when a complaint of child abuse is alleged? This should not be taken lightly. There is one thing we all agree on. We should all do our part to keep children safe even if the decision is unpopular. There is no easy right or wrong in this debate. I do not question your motives nor would I tell you you are wrong if you made that call because you felt it necessary.
Crowe
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
Hopefully my sarcasm does not go unnoticed.

Sarcasm duly noted but over-the-top cases are not good examples.
wnjj
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2015
Crowe wrote:
Too many people here care more about offending someone than ensuring two kids well-being.

Talk about the mother of all assumptions. I couldn't care less about offending someone. I happen to believe (as many do, it seems), that raising children is the parent(s)' job and not the "village". Something has to actually be an issue and not assumed to be one before I would even consider intervening. I can only hope others show me the same respect when it comes to my parenting.

The lack of laws on this very topic suggests most still consider it enough of a gray area, regardless of individual opinion on what is or isn't ok.
kakampers
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
mich800 wrote:
As far as I am concerned anyone taking young children camping depriving them of modern conveniences have questionable parenting skills. Child protective services should be called on every one of them. Looks like Michigan knows what is best for kids. News Story

Hopefully my sarcasm does not go unnoticed.

OMG!..this is what happens when people stick their nose in where it doesn't belong without knowing all the facts!