Did anyone else notice....

[huckster]

this may sound dumb but could these kids fall over board?

 

[rae519]

Anything is possible with children....

Rae

 

[TiggerPU88]

I cannot even imagine leaving my DS like that -- I won't even go into the dry cleaner with him in the car. I would be terrified of something happening to him. That poor child sitting ont he floor... wow!

In NJ, children are not allowed to be left alone at home until they are 12. Why would I do anything any differently on a boat?

Sheesh! I am almost speechless!

-- Adrienne : )

P.S. Rae, that web site is a beautiful tribute to your daughter. I am so sorry for the loss you suffered and that today's society refused to hold the person responsible accountable for his actions.

 

[Tracie Wallace]

Last week was the one year anniversary of the death of Samatha Runion. This little girl was snatched while playing in the front of her house while playing with another little girl. She did everything she was supposed to - she kicked and screamed and told her friend to get an adult. And she was still sexually molested and killed - her body left by the side of the road for someone to fine.

This girl was taken from the front her home!

Danielle Van Damme was taken from her bedroom by a neighbor - and she also was raped and killed.

I know that we can only do so much to protect our children. And sometimes that isn't enough. How can a parent just let their child wander around unattended? It would scare me to death.

My child is 6 - and I still have her in a child safety seat in the car - in the back seat - because I know its the safest place for her. Several children died this last weekend because they were in an accident and were thrown from the car. One as young as 3 months. These children did not even have a safety belt on much less were in a child safety seat. One child survived - the one who was wearing her seat belt.

Sorry to rant but it makes me so sad and angry when parents don't take simple precautions to take care of their children! Bad things to happen - even when every precaution is taken. But don't make it easy.

 

[kshabare]

Rae, you did the correct thing by calling 911, We would have done the same thing, God bless you and your daughter. Josh our DS 9 was confronted by a stranger right in front of our house in broad daylight, I was in the backyard doing laundry, he came running back all flustered, he told me what had happened, went directly to the police and he took all the info down.


Thanks Rae,
Norm and Kim Shabarekh

 

[BethA]

We have seen the same type of thing-last cruise there was a child about 2 riding up and down in the elevator with a dirty diaper. My friend took him to guest services and they had him there til the parents missed him. My son and I discovered a 4 yr old wandering the hall crying and pounding onevery door. We found out his room from guest services and took him there --the dad opened the door, said we wondered where you were and slammed the door on me-no thank you at all.
Some parents see DCl as a cruise where they can have their children watched and enjoy a vacation almost childless. It's nice to have some options for the kids, but for us it is a family vacation, and we spend most of it with them and are sure to supervise them. Beth

 

[rae519]

TiggerPU88 - thank you very much for visiting Kayla's site. She was a treasure and if only one person will consider organ donation after visiting her site, then it is well worth it. Thank you for going there! Shawn should have lost his license - he was neglectful or at the very least, his parents should have taken it from him. He never felt responsible for his actions and went on to be a felon, wanted in our county - he never learned that accountability comes with responsibility. Pity for him.

Tracie - great points about the abducted children. Adam Walsh was taken from a Sears store. Only we can protect our children and often we must face the responsibility of what to do when we are confronted with unprotected children - we can only do our best and what our consciences dictate.

Too often one small action in our eyes is just another grain of sand on the beach for that particular child. How long is a minute?
I'd like to have put that woman in the car for "a minute" the way she left that year old baby! -Windows up and warm summer day!
Let's see how she likes a "minute"!

Norm and Kim - my darling friends - how wonderful to read your reply. Poor Josh - it is hard enough for a child to be alert in strange places but in your own yard....Thankfully, he had the presence of mind to run directly to you and give you the information. I didn't expect a pat on the back from the police officer but neither he nor the 911 operator made me feel like I had done the right thing! Honestly! I felt like I was a bother to them actually!!!! But I know in my heart, I did the right thing.

By the way, Norm and Kim, I have Rogers phone at home and cell number if you didn't get his last e-mail - PM me!
And Dr. Sharba sends his greetings to you both!

Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by BethA
Some parents see DCl as a cruise where they can have their children watched and enjoy a vacation almost childless. It's nice to have some options for the kids, but for us it is a family vacation, and we spend most of it with them and are sure to supervise them. Beth

Don't you wonder why some people even bother to have kids?

Rae

 

[eek40]

I actually had to sit and take deep breaths and count to 100 before I could post on this!

First off yes it is Child abuse to neglect your children!
No questions about it.

I have spent many many years as a childcare provider/Nanny/Preschool teacher. I could tell you all stories that would make your head explode. Fact of the matter is that many parents are not parents because they want to be or should be but in fact because its what they think they need to do so for society roles. That may not make much sense but I think you get the gist of it. I even have people in my family that have no business having children.

So often parents expect others to take responsiblity for their children. And when their children get hurt because of their own neglect they blame and blame, and sue and sue anyone they can.

I believe it wasnt so long ago that Disney was sued because a child riding with a parent stood up on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and was injured. DCL has the same problems to an extent. They can list rule after rule, post it everywhere and if parents chose not to follow said rules DCL is not responsible. I believe that the original poster said that it would be nice for these issues to be taken care of and I agree. I will be taking my nephew on a dcl in Nov and plan on supervising him almost all the time. The only times I will not are during his kids club times. But even then I will take special care to check up on him while he is there, to make sure he is taken care of(yes I do trust the counselours but this is still MY responsiblity). Ultimatly bottom line is PARENTS are responsible for their CHILDREN. And when children are misbaving in halls/common areas.....I always take note and report it.

On a side note....Rae....I am so glad you reported the baby in the car seat. And I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I know it was several years ago but that doesnt make it any easier. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

Aimee

 

[Tracie Wallace]

Makes you wonder doesn't it. People have to take a driving test to drive a car - but anyone can have a baby.

Does Disney have a policy about young children wandering around the ship - or are they depending on common sense?

 

[rae519]

Who'd have guessed that there would have to be a policy or rule instituted to make parents actually supervise their own children for safety reasons?!

Go figure!

Rae

 

[Tracie Wallace]

You mean like:

a) don't let kids play with fire
b) don't leave kids in the car along - especially when its 100 plus degrees outside
c) don't leave them alone when they're under 12 years of age
d) don't let them eat too much shrimp ?

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Tracie Wallace
You mean like:


d) don't let them eat too much shrimp ?

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHH!
Tracie - I think I love you!

Rae

 

[carole88]

I think that it is absolutely mind blowing that parents would allow such young children to roam about unsupervised. I don't even like to let my kids play unsupervised in our own back yard. It is definately a different world that we live in today. One can never be too careful!

It is also mind boggling that children are driven around in cars without car seats or other restraints. My youngest DD is 6.5 and a little small for her age. She may complain about it from time to time but she knows that she doesn't get to go anywhere in the car without being in her booster seat. There are just too many horror stories out there to take any chances.

Rae - I think that you were right in calling 911. It really is a shame that the dispatcher and officer were not more thankful of your call. The results of leaving the child unattended in a closed care could have been horriffic. People shouldn't even leave pets in a closed car on a hot day, never mind children. Everybody should be as responsible as you were that day.

 

[Stimpy]

Kids are not safe anywhere alone! It never ceases to amaze me how stupid some people can be! I worked several years in law enforcement and had to interview too many child abusers/molesters. They did it because they can. No one stopped them or they made it very easy for them to take advantage of the situation.

My DH is a police officer in an affluent neighborhood. A few years ago, a mother left her 2 young kids alone in the car while she dropped the 3rd off into a private school. Sure enough, someone stole the car w/ the kids inside. Fortunately, the kids were later found unharmed. Could you image how that mother must have felt and it was her own fault?

Sorry to get off the topic! It's just so aggravating to see people do things that harms children, intentionally or not.

 

[Tracie Wallace]

You are right - children are not safe anywhere. Its unfortunate also that the people most likely to harm them are their own parents- either through intention, ignorance or stupidity.

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by Favorite Auntie
Should DCL do something about this?

The sad thing is should DCL HAVE to do something about this? Meaning... the parents should already be DOING THE SOMETHING... they should be watching their children.... no if's and's or but's.

If something happened to their children, you bet your butt they'd be suing DCL...


Jeanny

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Tracie Wallace
Makes you wonder doesn't it. People have to take a driving test to drive a car - but anyone can have a baby.

Thats why you see teens(13,14,15 yrs old) having babies. No supervision at home.
Now back to the OP.............

 

[rae519]

Nick and Cindy - you get a big DITTO here from me on that teen pregnancy quote!

Years ago a local gal left her car running while her 5 year old son sat in the front seat ------- he crashed it through the window of the store she had entered to "collect her paycheck"......I think she had to return it...
Fortunately, the child wasn't hurt but the mother should have had her butt kicked! She said, "But I told him not to touch anything!"

Jeanny - of course they would sue Disney - you don't think THEY would actually accept responsibility for their neglectful behavior, do you?!!!!! It's always someone else's fault.......

Rae

 

[Wishing on a star]

____________________________________
Quote:
should DCL HAVE to do something about this?
____________________________________

Unfortunately.... YES!!! I have read wayyyy to many of these types of instances on this board, and other boards.


And, why should they not??? It is not that uncommon. Especially where-ever this many children are present. I have seen all kinds of policies.

ex. All children under the age of ___ must be accompanied by an adult.

Have seen this at all kinds of places, from swimming pools - to buffet restaurants!

IMHO - I think that DCL is being negligant by NOT addressing the issue!

PS: I am REALLY REALLY excited about our upcoming cruise... But, I must say that this is the ONE thing that I have run across in all of my planning and anticipation that really bothers me..

Anybody at DCL reading this?