Michigan threatens mom with fines - AND JAIL - for watching friends' kids - The DIS Discussion Forums

jodifla · 09-29-2009, 05:10 PM

This is completely nuts! No wonder so many people are fleeing Michigan with poor decision making like this in Lansing.

A mom watches 3 friends kids in the a.m. before their bus comes so the parents (silly them!) can go to work and support themselves.

And, she's doing it for FREE, but Michigan still wants to stick its nose in the matter. They've sent her a letter threatening fines.

The woman from the state who told the mom that the kids should just get umbrellas and wait outside in the rain or snowstorm should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...#pluckcomments

luvmy3 · 09-29-2009, 05:16 PM

***

Unbelievable.

Watching someone more than 4 hours a week requires a license. Whats next requiring someone to obtain a license if their kid's friends are over your house playing for more than 4 hours a week.

JEmaryland · 09-29-2009, 05:18 PM

I saw them on the Today Show this morning. I hope the neighbor who "ratted them out" feels real proud of themselves.

MushyMushy · 09-29-2009, 05:31 PM

Insanity!

Ciao Mickey · 09-29-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodifla

This is completely nuts! No wonder so many people are fleeing Michigan with poor decision making like this in Lansing.

A mom watches 3 friends kids in the a.m. before their bus comes so the parents (silly them!) can go to work and support themselves.

And, she's doing it for FREE, but Michigan still wants to stick its nose in the matter. They've sent her a letter threatening fines.

The woman from the state who told the mom that the kids should just get umbrellas and wait outside in the rain or snowstorm should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...#pluckcomments

I heard about this today on the radio.

Are you really that surprised? By golly, doesn't Big Brother know best? It takes a village and all of that.

This is the road that alot of people in this country want to run down. The trouble is they don't realize what's at the end of it...

jodifla · 09-29-2009, 05:32 PM

http://www.wwj.com/pages/5324865.php?

State Tells Mom To Stop Babysitting Neighbors' Kids

Middleville, MI (WWJ) -- A Grand Rapids-area woman is being threatened with fines and possible jail time for babysitting her neighbor's children. Lisa Snyder's house is at a bus stop and she lets the children come into her home to wait for the bus on school mornings.

In an interview with WWJ, West Michigan State Representative Brian Calley couldn't believe the Department of Human Services was serious about calling this organized day care.

"I called the department because I assumed it was just a misunderstanding of some sort, and when I talked to the department it was explained to me that it was no misunderstanding and this was the way that they were interpreting the law," Calley said.

Snyder, who also spoke with WWJ, said that she doesn't accept money from her friends for the brief child-watching. She feels the DHS is playing hardball.

"If another complaint came in...they would actually be in my driveway and want to come into my house," she said, adding that possible jail time followed a third complaint.

Snyder says she baby sits for free and has known the children and their families for years. One of the children no longer comes over each morning, while another now waits on the front porch.

Calley is seeking to change state law to make state day-care law exceptions for people who watch their friends' children.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

jodifla · 09-29-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ciao Mickey

I heard about this today on the radio.

Are you really that surprised? By golly, doesn't Big Brother know best? It takes a village and all of that.

This is the road that alot of people in this country want to run down. The trouble is they don't realize what's at the end of it...

The reason it surprises me is that there's no money involved. No money, nothing for the state to regulate.

It seems blatantly unconstitutional to me....we can assemble with whomever we choose!

crz4mm2 · 09-29-2009, 05:55 PM

I guess "admitting" she was Babysitting is what did it??? jeez.

I know there are "rules" for everything including child care, but maybe they are just "playing" at her house

That would be my story

luvmy3 · 09-29-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodifla

The reason it surprises me is that there's no money involved. No money, nothing for the state to regulate.

It seems blatantly unconstitutional to me....we can assemble with whomever we choose!

This is the scariest part. What happens when you watch a friends child for the weekend, while they go away, or god forbid are incapacitated for some reason? This State has pushed its boundries way too far.

Briarmom · 09-29-2009, 06:02 PM

What if you have playdates?

LittleBlue22 · 09-29-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briarmom

What if you have playdates?

"...Snyder's predicament has led to a debate in Michigan about whether a law that says no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers needs to be changed. It also has irked parents who say they depend on such friendly offers to help them balance work and family...." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090929/..._backlash_mich)

Bmom, according to the law, you better choose your four weeks of play dates carefully.

This story makes me boil. It does make me wonder if my state has similar legislation

What is this MI law called so I can look for it in my state? Have any of you found a name/title for it yet?

Possible Jail! - wow, sad.

disneybound2010 · 09-29-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crz4mm2

I guess "admitting" she was Babysitting is what did it??? jeez.

I know there are "rules" for everything including child care, but maybe they are just "playing" at her house

That would be my story

According to what was said on the Today show, the woman asked this question and was told that IF the children's parents were home, the kids were visiting, but if the parents went to work or to run errands it became babysitting...made no sense to me. Either way, the woman has the children in her home so she would be watching them to ensure their safety, which is all she was trying to do in the first place by not making them stand at the bus stop.

I love that Big Brother is now telling us who we can associate with in our own homes

Lisa loves Pooh · 09-29-2009, 06:20 PM

How interesting since we were discussing support systems to help with jury duty on the other thread.

This was just for a few hours before waiting for the bus. I can't imagine what the state would do if the mom needing help had jury duty.

I guess weekly slumber parties are out of the question.

What a crappy neighbor for reporting and what an insane overstepping of boundaries by the state.

bookgirl · 09-29-2009, 06:48 PM

How much you wanna bet the reporting parent has a child who was not invited to wait for an hour inside the house?

lillygator · 09-29-2009, 06:59 PM

wow, definitely not the kind of neighbor I would like.

09-29-2009, 05:10 PM	#1
jodifla DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Florida & Motown Posts: 7,259	Michigan threatens mom with fines - AND JAIL - for watching friends' kids This is completely nuts! No wonder so many people are fleeing Michigan with poor decision making like this in Lansing. A mom watches 3 friends kids in the a.m. before their bus comes so the parents (silly them!) can go to work and support themselves. And, she's doing it for FREE, but Michigan still wants to stick its nose in the matter. They've sent her a letter threatening fines. The woman from the state who told the mom that the kids should just get umbrellas and wait outside in the rain or snowstorm should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY! http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...#pluckcomments Last edited by jodifla; 09-29-2009 at 05:30 PM.

09-29-2009, 05:31 PM	#4
MushyMushy Marseeya Here! Drama Magnet I only make exceptions for chocolate Mickey heads I'm a big pie freak I'll always laugh myself silly over the flag pole incident. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 938 miles from the Happiest Place on Earth Posts: 16,500	Insanity! __________________

09-29-2009, 05:55 PM	#8
crz4mm2 Most of the time I just sit and scratch my head... Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 6,172	I guess "admitting" she was Babysitting is what did it??? jeez. I know there are "rules" for everything including child care, but maybe they are just "playing" at her house That would be my story __________________

09-29-2009, 06:02 PM	#10
Briarmom Bessie Robindale Larry's been done. Laird is refreshing! I always thought it was my farsighted left eye that did me in Knows about bone folders Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Crappiest Place on Earth Posts: 12,905	What if you have playdates? __________________

09-29-2009, 06:48 PM	#14
bookgirl I don't eat onions-they squelch when you bite into them I don't eat raisins-they look like dried up bugs Can we say food issues? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In a OK state Posts: 2,247	How much you wanna bet the reporting parent has a child who was not invited to wait for an hour inside the house? __________________ DL 03/2000 Offsite WDW MK 1/2009 ASMu WDW The Rest of it Delayed but still planning it out.

09-29-2009, 05:16 PM	#2
luvmy3 When I drink I find its easier to watch my children because I see all 3 of them double, so all 6 of them of them take all my attention Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,692	*** Unbelievable. Watching someone more than 4 hours a week requires a license. Whats next requiring someone to obtain a license if their kid's friends are over your house playing for more than 4 hours a week.

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09-29-2009, 05:18 PM	#3
JEmaryland Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 391	I saw them on the Today Show this morning. I hope the neighbor who "ratted them out" feels real proud of themselves.

09-29-2009, 05:32 PM	#6
jodifla DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Florida & Motown Posts: 7,259	http://www.wwj.com/pages/5324865.php? State Tells Mom To Stop Babysitting Neighbors' Kids Middleville, MI (WWJ) -- A Grand Rapids-area woman is being threatened with fines and possible jail time for babysitting her neighbor's children. Lisa Snyder's house is at a bus stop and she lets the children come into her home to wait for the bus on school mornings. In an interview with WWJ, West Michigan State Representative Brian Calley couldn't believe the Department of Human Services was serious about calling this organized day care. "I called the department because I assumed it was just a misunderstanding of some sort, and when I talked to the department it was explained to me that it was no misunderstanding and this was the way that they were interpreting the law," Calley said. Snyder, who also spoke with WWJ, said that she doesn't accept money from her friends for the brief child-watching. She feels the DHS is playing hardball. "If another complaint came in...they would actually be in my driveway and want to come into my house," she said, adding that possible jail time followed a third complaint. Snyder says she baby sits for free and has known the children and their families for years. One of the children no longer comes over each morning, while another now waits on the front porch. Calley is seeking to change state law to make state day-care law exceptions for people who watch their friends' children. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

09-29-2009, 06:20 PM	#13
Lisa loves Pooh DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida--on the coast SE of Disney Posts: 25,875	How interesting since we were discussing support systems to help with jury duty on the other thread. This was just for a few hours before waiting for the bus. I can't imagine what the state would do if the mom needing help had jury duty. I guess weekly slumber parties are out of the question. What a crappy neighbor for reporting and what an insane overstepping of boundaries by the state.

09-29-2009, 06:59 PM	#15
lillygator Mom of two Princesses! Grew up wanting to be a can can girl let's just say my whoop whoop's woke the sleeping giant! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The World's Best Sand ~ Siesta Key, FL Posts: 28,838	wow, definitely not the kind of neighbor I would like. __________________ *V's Bad Girl Guide to Partying Through Panama!* Join my 2006 trip and planning adventures ~ *Bad Girl* style! Yo ho, yo ho A Pirate's Life for V ~ Comandeering the Disney Magic 12/9-12/16 Hide the rum, the 2007 Bad Girl Adventures have begun! '04 ~ Pop, AKL, ASMo, WL & Wonder Cruise! '05 ~ ASMo, CBR, CSR, ASMu, Pop, Poly & Eastern Cruise! '06 ~ POR, ASSports, ASMusic x 2, AKL, BWI, POP & Double Dip Cruise! '07 ~ CBR, ASMo, BCV x 2, OKW, Orlando Breeze, POP!! '08 ~ Offsite Knight's Inn YUCK! ~ Stealing the Magic ~ May Repo! Candy Cane Inn! '08 ~ May DCL Western!

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