Can You Leave Kids In The Cabin?

[devotedchristian]

I am curious devoted christian and dwkwootten, have either of you sailed on DCL before?

No, I have only sailed on Carnival Cruise Lines. What's your point?

 

[ChrisnSteph]

ChrisnSteph-

I don't want this to end up as a debate which is were this whole thread is going but do you really think there was something wrong with that woman alerting the police about some possibly abandonded children who were left alone in the car for 10 minutes? Especially a child with a medical condition?

I guess we were raised different!

You are not being realistic. Considering the situation, having been there to witness it firsthand, and the fact that the woman jumped the gun in reporting it before even approaching the the mother and overreacted, I'd have to say yes. My goodness. That child's medically fragile condition is the reason she left him in the car with her older nine year old daughter looking out for him, and the mom watching everything from the window. She did what was the best interest of her son. What should she have done? Run out of gas and sit on the side of the road? Disconnect her child from the equipment helping him to breathe and exposing him to lord knows what when he is already compromised just to run inside to pay for gas? Which poses the greater risk? Which is safer? Apparently the officer didn't see a problem either. I've come to the conculsion that no matter what I say, you'll take it and run with it in a totally different direction, and you aren't being rational, so as far I'm concerened, this debate with you is over.

 

[married2grumpy]

"The ones being overly critical and judgmental are the people like yourself with your harsh comments, who think the world is black and white and that every family and the children within that family into the same mold."

I think it is black and white! An 8 year old child is still an 8 year old child, regarless of maturity level, how they are raised or whom they are raised by. No not all families are the same. Some children are forced to grow up too quickly and there are some who are way too sheltered. A child is still a child and should not be left alone.

I am not being overly critical nor am I being judgemental but again, IMO, leaving your children alone should never be an option. Especially when Disney has made it a point to have facilities where your children will be supervised and you alerted if they need you.

 

[devotedchristian]

ChrsnSteph, to the best of your knowledge, was there a reason the mom could not have gotten gas before going to the hospital to pick up her baby?

 

[Stimpy]

..... All she needed was to do was get gas. The children were not harmed, and the officer left without incident. This is an example of how some people in today's society are so paranoid and quick to jump the gun and be accusatory. I felt bad for that woman. It's just an example of how everything in life is not black and white, and how the decisions people make can be individual to that situation. That's all I'm trying to say.

I can tell you a similar story that happened around here a few years ago (maybe 2?). A woman left her young toddler in the car in front of her other child's school. She was just running up to the door to get her child while the baby sat in the backseat. Believe it or not, a guy jumped in the car and stole it with the toddler crying in the back seat. Fortunately, they eventually got the baby back. Could an 8-9 yr old child have prevented that? I don't know, but I doubt it. I also doubt the mother ever even thought it possible that something like that could happen to her child but it did.

 

[married2grumpy]

You are not being realistic. Considering the situation, having been there to witness it firsthand, and the fact that the woman jumped the gun in reporting it before even approaching the the mother and overreacted, I'd have to say yes. My goodness. That child's medically fragile condition is the reason she left him in the car with her older nine year old daughter looking out for him, and the mom watching everything from the window. She did what was the best interest of her son. What should she have done? Run out of gas and sit on the side of the road? Disconnect her child from the equipment helping him to breathe and exposing him to lord knows what when he is already compromised just to run inside to pay for gas? Which poses the greater risk? Which is safer? Apparently the officer didn't see a problem either. I've come to the conculsion that no matter what I say, you'll take it and run with it in a totally different direction, and you aren't being rational, so as far I'm concerened, this debate with you is over.

As a responsible parent, like someone else mentioned, she should have gotten gas before picking up her ill son. And she took the time to purchase snacks! You said yourself the weather was chilly. Did she have the heat on in those 10 minutes? Should a child who is compromised medically be left in the care of a nine year old on the way home from the hospital? I would be so thrilled that my child was okay and on his way home that I don't think I would let him out of my sight for days! Come on now, I think I am being totally rational. By the way, my DH is a police officer and his biggest pet peeve is when parents leave their kids in the car for "just a second" to get something that couldn't wait. All it takes is just a second.

Your right, debate is over!

 

[dwkwootton]

Realistic? Doing what's best for the child? Leaving a 2nd or 3rd grader in charge of a critically ill baby in a car at a gas station while Mom keeps a watchful eye across the parking lot through a window with potato chips in her arms? Again, Mom should have gassed up the day before or on the way to the hospital. Bad judgement. Maybe she thought the line wouldn't be 10 minutes long .... that's the job of a parent ... to anticipate and plan ahead, not to leave a 6 yr old and attempt to justify it with stats and stories. This is enough already. Get a babysitter if you must have some adult time on your family vacation.

 

[LiserAnn]

ChrisnStep clearly stated the woman had her keys and she could see the kids from the window. I've done that before myself with my DS6 (almost 7) and my DS3. I had the keys, it was a cold day, the doors were locked, I could see them clearly and I just popped in and paid for my gas. My DS3 was asleep, I saw no harm, quick in and out, no posibble way for someone to get to them, unless they broke a window and I would be in that person's face in less than 10 seconds. Could the pump explode and kill them...well yes, but that could happen if I were in the car or 10 feet away watching them.

Now, would I personally leave my kids alone in the cabin, or even my DS6? No, nor would I recommend it. But again, as stated before...it's a personal decision, you know how your kids are and what they can handle.

I think the OP was asking if it was allowed, I don't think she was asking what all our opinions are...although I know we all love to share....

 

[CruisingCA2005]

There are some people on these boards that you will NEVER see eye to eye with. I suggest using the "Ignore List" feature in your user CP. I actually have several people ignored and I am no longer frustrated by reading irrational posts and harsh, overly critical comments.

 

[MickeyB426]

I think at this point there's no need to continue this thread. The OP has gotten all the input he/she would need, don't you think?

Moderator, the padlock please?

 

[dwkwootton]

I think at this point there's no need to continue this thread. The OP has gotten all the input he/she would need, don't you think?

Moderator, the padlock please?

Good point!

 

[married2grumpy]

I think at this point there's no need to continue this thread. The OP has gotten all the input he/she would need, don't you think?

Moderator, the padlock please?[/QUOTE

I agree!

 

[Cruisefreaks]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you don't agree with it. While I personally wouldn't leave a 6 year old alone, I might think differently about my 8 and 10 year olds. Chrisnsteph made some really good points. I agree that in today's society parents can sometimes be overly protective, not that there's anything wrong with that, but some parents aren't that way and I think that some people are overreacting about it. There's a big risk that you're child can ride their bike and get hit by a car. In fact there's alot that can happen while your children are outside. A lightning bolt can come out of the sky and strike you down at anytime. Does that mean you don't let your kids out to play? I'm just echoing your sentiment. I also agree that not everything is black and white. Not all of us raise our children exactly alike. The point she was trying to make earlier with the kids left in the car scenario, some of you are blowing it way out of proportion and proves her point that some people think irrationally and don't use common sense. You don't know that woman's situation. Maybe she didn't realize she needed gas because she was so excited to bring her child home? Maybe she didn't realize that he or she would be coming home with medical equipment? Maybe she drove two hours and had to stop? Maybe her kids were hungry from being in the car all day? Maybe her daughter was familar with how to care for her sibling with special needs and she felt comfortable taking her eyes off of them for a few minutes? Are you saying that you've NEVER gotten close to being too low on gas in your car? You don't know what that woman was going through, and you weren't there, so what right do you have to pass judgment and try and turn the scenario around? You have every right to feel the way you do, but that doesn't give you the right to bash people and call them poor parents and describe their behavior as appalling because they don't necessarily agree with you.

 

[cjsmith]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you don't agree with it. While I personally wouldn't leave a 6 year old alone, I might think differently about my 8 and 10 year olds. Chrisnsteph made some really good points. I agree that in today's society parents can sometimes be overly protective, not that there's anything wrong with that, but some parents aren't that way and I think that some people are overreacting about it. There's a big risk that you're child can ride their bike and get hit by a car. In fact there's alot that can happen while your children are outside. A lightning bolt can come out of the sky and strike you down at anytime. Does that mean you don't let your kids out to play? I'm just echoing your sentiment. I also agree that not everything is black and white. Not all of us raise our children exactly alike. The point she was trying to make earlier with the kids left in the car scenario, some of you are blowing it way out of proportion and proves her point that some people think irrationally and don't use common sense. You don't know that woman's situation. Maybe she didn't realize she needed gas because she was so excited to bring her child home? Maybe she didn't realize that he or she would be coming home with medical equipment? Maybe she drove two hours and had to stop? Maybe her kids were hungry from being in the car all day? Maybe her daughter was familar with how to care for her sibling with special needs and she felt comfortable taking her eyes off of them for a few minutes? Are you saying that you've NEVER gotten close to being too low on gas in your car? You don't know what that woman was going through, and you weren't there, so what right do you have to pass judgment and try and turn the scenario around? You have every right to feel the way you do, but that doesn't give you the right to bash people and call them poor parents and describe their behavior as appalling because they don't necessarily agree with you.

What a wonderful post, I couldn't agree more.

 

[dwkwootton]

ChrisnSteph brought up the story and gave it her spin. Then I looked at it and gave it mine. Same difference. And I feel very comfortable passing my personal judgement of appalling to the act of leaving a 6 yr old alone anywhere just as others feel comfortable passing their personal judgement that does not align with mine. Its called America.

You guys take over this one. My opinion has been stated and it is most certainly in the dead horse range. Best of everything to everyone.

 

[cjsmith]

The funny thing is, the poster didn't really ask for anyone's personal judgements. They asked a simple question and asked for other's opinions. While we may not get agree with leaving kids of that particular age alone in a cabin, it's really not our place to judge so harshly. And to start questioning parental skills based on a question is silly. This person didn't do it, they were simply questioning as to what others had done as they had not been in this situation before. After all, each situation is different as is each child. I know some 9 year olds that I would leave alone quicker than I would some 12 year olds. And as for some of the scenerios that were given, I doubt a 12 year old would know how to handle things like getting their life jacket and getting to their life station, this is alittle on the extreme side!

 

[suesings]

You know, I think you are right. My 4-1/2 year old is very mature for her age. Everyone says so, really! I'm sure she can take care of our 17 month old daughter. "Come on honey, it's date-night!!"

Here is California, if you leave your children unattended (especially on purpose) and something happens, you will be charged with neglect. Unfortunately it has happened many times here. There will always be people who do it and people who don't have an issue with it. Then on the other hand, there will always be people who think all children should be supervised and protected.

Just the way of the world I'm afraid.

 

[cjsmith]

You know, I think you are right. My 4-1/2 year old is very mature for her age. Everyone says so, really! I'm sure she can take care of our 17 month old daughter. "Come on honey, it's date-night!!"

Here is California, if you leave your children unattended (especially on purpose) and something happens, you will be charged with neglect. Unfortunately it has happened many times here. There will always be people who do it and people who don't have an issue with it. Then on the other hand, there will always be people who think all children should be supervised and protected.

Just the way of the world I'm afraid.

YOu know, you didn't have to post a snippy answer to my post. I never said anything about leaving a child remotely close to age 4 1/2 taking care of a 17 month old!


And before you start questioning my parenting skills, I never left my children alone anywhere when they were young either at home or on a trip. I did let my 10 1/2 and 12 1/2 year old stay alone in the cabin on our first cruise and have let them do so on each cruise we've been on. They're now 13 and 15 so they have even more freedom.

Yes, I've edited my post. I've decided not to get involed again in another silly argument on this board, I've got better things to do, like watch American Idol!!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Y
Yes, I've edited my post. I've decided not to get involed again in another silly argument on this board, I've got better things to do, like watch American Idol!!!!

OK, you had me on your side until you said that American Idol is better than this thread!

T&B

 

[cjsmith]

OK, you had me on your side until you said that American Idol is better than this thread!

T&B

Tigger&Belle, say it's not so....come back with me!!!!!!!!!!!!! American Idol is on break so I'm back.