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

davosfam
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
I think a lot of people are jumping to the conclusion that she is working. The OP wondered if that was the case but doesn't know. You could keep an eye out to see what is actually going on or you could just ignore the situation. Neither of those are a bad thing. I usually hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

When my kids were young, they made friends with two children at a campground we were at for the weekend. Never saw a parent come in or out of the camper they were staying in. Come dinner time, the kids didn't have anything to eat even though they told us their dad was "sleeping" in the camper. We fed the kids and let them hang out with us all weekend. On the way home, my son told us that their dad was drunk and that's why we never saw him.
dwayneb236
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
1L243 wrote:
bob_nestor wrote:
1L243 wrote:

Now retired LEO If I was called out to a house with the age of these I would have to evaluate them the situation, I certaninly would not make an arrest unless their was evidence of neglect.. I would however, have had to report it to child protective serivces for follow up...

Just a quick question about this? In your department did you HAVE to make a CPS report every time you went on something like this? We only contact CPS IF there are signs of neglect or abuse. If the kids are clean, well fed, in a clean house we'll probably not contact them, but we will contact the parents of course. Just curious how ya'll worked it up there.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2015
Shame on all of you folks that immediately let your minds get in the gutter and hint on the issue that mom is a ####, or doing ####, or whatever.

Either tail her to find out if that is what kind of a person you are or get the hey out of someone's else's challenges.

What would I do? Mind my own business if there is no sign of endangerment or abuse.
1L243
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2015
bob_nestor wrote:
1L243 wrote:
Are the kids clean, well fed and well mannered?

Heck, when I was 8 (1960) I would leave the house in the morning on my bicycle and be home by dinner. Parents did not have a clue where I was or what I was doing. All the kids were that way back in the day. I know today are different time. But if the kids with the older one being 9 look in good shape I think they are fine... Force the mother to put the kids in Day Care and she will probably loose her job and do on welfare..

Yeah, life was great when we grew up but no so much today. Just read in the news the other day of parents who were charged with child neglect for letting their kid play alone in his own back yard for 30 minutes while waiting for them to arrive home from work. Our way of growing up seems to have produced self-reliant, independent adults. I wonder what the next generation of adults will be like raised in this new nanny State.

Now retired LEO If I was called out to a house with the age of these I would have to evaluate them the situation, I certaninly would not make an arrest unless their was evidence of neglect.. I would however, have had to report it to child protective serivces for follow up...
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
Is a very hard situation to be in and for you to know what's going on. On one hand you feel for her that she is possibly trying to do the right thing and can't afford a baby sitter. On the other hand, you should feel concerned about the welfare of kids (that age) being alone all day long. Personally I feel they are too young to be left alone. You are also talking about a transient type of living place (campground). Not that campers are bad people, but I get news at least one or twice a week about people doing bad things in parks or bad people being caught in parks. All it takes is for one of those situations and the wrong person to be there and prey on the kids, whether or not they stay inside while she is gone. If you notice what is going on, then one who preys will immediately identify it as well.

Perhaps as others have said, talk to the mother about it. See if you can help her come up with a better and safer situation for the kids. If she is indigent, then there are probably some programs nearby to help her out with the babysitting thing.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 24, 2015
ken56 wrote:
Please leave this alone. Once the police get involved it would not end well for this family. You state they seem well cared for, and unless you actually see a direct danger to these kids then keep out of it. You need not feel you need to babysit these kids either. I do believe its unfortunate that the mom is not a bit more social that allowing the kids to go out and play would be detrimental but I think she wants to avoid involving some busybody who will think she is the worst mom on earth and call the police on them. How on earth did this generation of parents become soooooo overprotecting that seeing a child out playing by himself is becoming a crime? Like many others here have said, we grew up just fine and we were not supervised 24/7. Leave them be or you will cause a bigger tragedy.

I agree, but would point out that often the ones complaining about parents letting their kids out alone to play, etc., are from earlier generations who did exactly that with their own kids. It's not a specific generation that has a problem, it's more that most people (of all generations) fall into the worry mode. Nowadays, there is no such thing as "an accident" - someone must always be to blame. This makes is hard for people to be willing to take a risk no matter how small it might be because if something does happen, they will be blamed.
RVcircus
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2015
If there's no abuse I'd mind my own business. One call from you could make their life hell.
ken56
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
Please leave this alone. Once the police get involved it would not end well for this family. You state they seem well cared for, and unless you actually see a direct danger to these kids then keep out of it. You need not feel you need to babysit these kids either. I do believe its unfortunate that the mom is not a bit more social that allowing the kids to go out and play would be detrimental but I think she wants to avoid involving some busybody who will think she is the worst mom on earth and call the police on them. How on earth did this generation of parents become soooooo overprotecting that seeing a child out playing by himself is becoming a crime? Like many others here have said, we grew up just fine and we were not supervised 24/7. Leave them be or you will cause a bigger tragedy.
Puttin
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
toedtoes wrote:
If I were next door, I'd simply keep an eye out and make sure the kids are safe as much as I can. Maybe even let her know that I'm around if the kids need anything while she's at work.

IMHO, I think situations like this get more benefit from the neighbors being understanding and helpful rather than calling the authorities.

X2
JAXFL
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
I grew up coming home from school or over the summer to an empty house, mom had to work, dad died. No one watched me, I drank from a sink in the house, I played outside without adults watching me, I hung out with friends, I did my homework, I watch TV (black and white), I fixed a sandwich for lunch... sometimes I went all the way to the BOY'S Club on my bike and played basketball or did a crafts class, I graduated high school and went in the military. None of the neighbors called the police or family services.

If the kids are not hurt or neglected leave them alone and let them live the best they can.

Forum Discussion

Leaving kids unattended in RV all day?

157 Replies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Leaving house unattended

Leave the kids home!!!

Leaving rig unattended with propane reefer on?

Unattended furnace

Safe to leave solar hooked to batteries unattended?