keep an eye on your children

[TikiGoddess]

I saw this same thing happen at a CASINO in Vegas. This woman left her daughter who couldn't have been over 3 at the ice cream shop where my dh and I were getting a cone. She proceeded to go play slots while her daughter sat there for over 45 minutes. I watched the mom and she was completely out of the child's sight (and the girl was out of the mom's sight) for most of the time. The woman was double fisting Coronas the entire time so I don't know if the girl was safer in the ice cream shop than getting in the car with her mom. We had to catch our flight so I went to the counter and reported it to the employee who called someone to take care of her. I still worry about that little girl though. Sometimes I think you should have to pass a test to be a parent.

 

[bytheblood]

You can call me cold-hearted or logical...whatever. I wouldn't give this woman pity at all if her child gotten snatched. In fact, I think charges would have been placed on the mother for "child endangerment."

The pity is not on the mom, it is for the child who would suffer only God knows what in the hands of an abductor.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I was just reading the post about being robbed at MK. Yesterday at DTD while in Once Upon A Toy I saw a mother leave her son in his stroller in front of a TV showing Chicken Little. She told him she would be right back. I overheard this and the store was very crowded so many others could have too. My mommy radar went off. The boy was in a stroller RIGHT IN FRONT OF AN OPEN DOOR! Anyone could have come up and pushed him out the door and since they would have been behind him he would have no clue who was pushing him. I kept my eye on his mom and watched her go all the way to the front of the store, and it's a big store! Being way too soft hearted for my own good I went back and kind of kept an eye on the boy. 1/2 an hour later she returned. I thought that maybe someone else was with them but no just the two of them. I didn't say anything but I really wish I had. Then later in the evening I saw a boy in a stroller outside of the rest room at DTD. I probably wouldn't have noticed him except that he was screaming at the top of his lungs and really struggling to get out of the stroller. At first I thought it was just a temper tantrum but then I noticed that there was no adult around anywhere. He really looked scared. Just as I was about to go over a CM came by and she went over to him. At that point I left because I wasn't sure I could keep my mouth shut a second time! I'm sorry this is so long but the point is, keep your children in sight at all times. ANYTHING could happen. We see it on the news most everyday. You do not need a ticket to get into DTD there is no bag check. You wouldn't leave your child unattended at the mall don't do it here. Just because you're on vavcation doesn't mean you leave your common sense at home.

Thank you for being those childrens guardian angels for a small moment.

It really makes me mad when I see unattended children or parents tearing into a young child for not keeping up...mom/dad is 20 steps in front of the kid not looking back. All it takes is the wrong place & time and you will end up on the news - Not the 15 minutes of fame I'd want!! My Children are either in the basket or holding a hand. We were in Target a couple weeks ago and both kids were in the cart when the power went out...I mean pitch black. I actually put 1 hand on my DD4 who was in the seat and told DS5 who was in the basket portion to give me his hand just so I could have physical contact because I couldn't see them. Maybe I'm overprotective to do it but I don't want to be on the victim side of the fence if I can prevent it

 

[Hannathy]

The Mom was wrong to leave the child so long but why not think about it this way....

First you don't here about stranger abductions everyday, it actually is extremely rare!

Second why not look at it this way I guess it isn't as dangerous as the media has lead you to believe- nothing happened in a long time, not the seconds some are paranoid about.

They have been leaving kids unattended and also alone outside in strollers since the dawn of Las Vegas (I witnessed it 30 yrs ago) How many abductions have there been? I don't think it should be done but it is a regular occurance.

The world isn't any more dangerous than it was we just have 24 hour news trying to fill the time between commercials now.

 

[Poohsmommi]

I was just reading the post about being robbed at MK. Yesterday at DTD while in Once Upon A Toy I saw a mother leave her son in his stroller in front of a TV showing Chicken Little. She told him she would be right back. I overheard this and the store was very crowded so many others could have too. My mommy radar went off. The boy was in a stroller RIGHT IN FRONT OF AN OPEN DOOR! Anyone could have come up and pushed him out the door and since they would have been behind him he would have no clue who was pushing him. I kept my eye on his mom and watched her go all the way to the front of the store, and it's a big store! Being way too soft hearted for my own good I went back and kind of kept an eye on the boy. 1/2 an hour later she returned. I thought that maybe someone else was with them but no just the two of them. I didn't say anything but I really wish I had. Then later in the evening I saw a boy in a stroller outside of the rest room at DTD. I probably wouldn't have noticed him except that he was screaming at the top of his lungs and really struggling to get out of the stroller. At first I thought it was just a temper tantrum but then I noticed that there was no adult around anywhere. He really looked scared. Just as I was about to go over a CM came by and she went over to him. At that point I left because I wasn't sure I could keep my mouth shut a second time! I'm sorry this is so long but the point is, keep your children in sight at all times. ANYTHING could happen. We see it on the news most everyday. You do not need a ticket to get into DTD there is no bag check. You wouldn't leave your child unattended at the mall don't do it here. Just because you're on vavcation doesn't mean you leave your common sense at home.

The worst thing is - you wouldn't leave $10,000 in cash out of your sight for one second ... but these people will leave their child.

 

[Kisha3018]

My 11 year old daugther gets upset with me because I wont allow her explore the aisles by herself at stores like Walmart or Target. Ive seen video footage of people stalking children in places like that. You have to be so careful these days. You never know. I never let my kids out of my sight when we are out in public, we simply live in a different time. You just never know.

This is kinda off topic, but reading this I couldnt help but think of it. I was in Washington DC last year visiting family. We were at a bar, and I was in the ladies room. There I was doing my "business" and the lady in the stall next to me started screaming. She was yelling, "OMG, she took my purse!" She hung her purse on the hook, sat down to do her "business" and someone reached over the door and stole her purse. By the time she got out there and into the crowd it was too late. Ive noticed that some public bathrooms have hooks lower on the door, but I dont think I will ever forget how helpless that woman was that night. It taught me a good lesson!

 

[luvthemouse71]

The Mom was wrong to leave the child so long but why not think about it this way....

First you don't here about stranger abductions everyday, it actually is extremely rare!

Second why not look at it this way I guess it isn't as dangerous as the media has lead you to believe- nothing happened in a long time, not the seconds some are paranoid about.

They have been leaving kids unattended and also alone outside in strollers since the dawn of Las Vegas (I witnessed it 30 yrs ago) How many abductions have there been? I don't think it should be done but it is a regular occurance.

The world isn't any more dangerous than it was we just have 24 hour news trying to fill the time between commercials now.

I agree that the media has a field day with these kinds of stories, but I'd rather be extremely overprotective as a parent than find out the hard way. The world in my opinion IS more dangerous for children. Our children are "sexualized" from an early age ie provacative clothing for little kids and teens. some of the images they see, heck, even those Bratz dolls are dressed in skimpy ho clothing. Also, people paid more attention to their kids 20-30 years ago and knew who their kids were with and WHERE they were. Many people have kids now and don't want to be bothered actually being in their company. Personally, I'm all for those leash things for kids(the ones that attach to the wrist, not the harness)

 

[Whosemom]

I agree that part of the perception of danger is fed by media coverage, but do you really want your child to be the unfortunate but rare news story?

Maybe we could get the government to run a giant ad campaign with a catchy song about not leaving your kid anywhere you wouldn't leave your purse (or wallet). Maybe it would sink in.

Slightly off target, but...

Personally, I'm all for those leash things for kids(the ones that attach to the wrist, not the harness

How odd. I never wanted to yank a shoulder out of socket when the child stumbled, so we used the harness. What difference could it possibly make?

 

[disneyaggie]

I am so glad you were that child's guardian angel -- thanks for staying until the "parent" arrived.

Perhaps the parent is from another country (just speaks excellent English) and does not grasp the dangers of doing this.

I was in Finland several years ago and was walking down the street. In front of the post office was a baby buggy, right there on the sidewalk! With no adult around! I almost had a heart attack. My Finnish friend could not understand why I was so upset! I said, "Uh, well, there is a child in that buggy with no parent around anywhere". She said, "Yeah, I know. The parent is probably mailing some letters". I said, "Yes, I know, but she left her baby out here on the sidewalk"!

My friend honestly looked at me like I had a snake on my head -- like I was the nut, not the parent! She told me that Finland is so much safer than America that seeing children alone is not uncommon. She wanted to move to America but was so concerned to how much crime is here that she changed her mind!

I can only hope that this "parent" was from another country and was totally clueless how unsafe it is to do that here, versus what she is accustomed to in her home country.

 

[maelstrom]

My son is almost 7 years old and there is no way I will let him out of my sight. If I have to go to the bathroom he will go with me...if he has to go then he better suck it up cuz he is going in the girls room if his Daddy aint around.

That's really too old for a boy to be in the ladies room. I understand your concern and why you don't want to let him in the mens room alone. But there has to be a better way. Perhaps find an uncrowded bathroom and if he doesn't come out after however long it usually takes him, yell in, or even go in after him if he doesn't answer. But 7 is really too old for the ladies room. He should really start using the mens room. Children at older ages can get abducted and molested too, even teenagers. But you kind of have to realize that by a certain age, some things are inappropriate.

I remember many years ago, when I was probably around 5, I went Christmas shopping for my mom in Sullivan's (local department store) with my dad. I had to use the restroom. Well, I'd never gone into a public restroom alone (always with my mom). But my dad obviously couldn't go into the ladies room and he thought it was inappropriate to take me into the mens room. And so, I used the restroom on my own. And young girls can be molested by women too. But some things you just have to do.

 

[rkmassa]

I don't get why parents think this okay. You would never leave a wallet, a purse, a camera, or a video camera in stroller and walk around in a store leaving those things unattended. Why is it that parents think that a child isn't more precious than any of these things? There are sick people every where looking for an opportunity to snatch a child, even in Disney.

 

[digskat]

We just returned from the world on Dec 8/06. And I am sorry to say we see alot of this as well. While at DTD some woman parked her 2 yr old in a stroller, in front of my husband and another women and walked away into the very busy store. My husband and the other guest looked at each other dumb founded. While in Toon town section of MK a father was walking about 5 ft ahead of his 3yr old son shouting back at him to "keep up" I felt like yelling "here's a clue dumb a**, take your kids hand and he will not have to keep up. Our children are 7 and 9 and we have the rule if you are an arm's length away you are too far. We even had a hard time leaving them for the Jester's Cruise. I agree some parents are a little too trusting, I feel safe when at WDW then most places, but you should never let your guard down.

 

[disneyaggie]

Glad to know your Mommy metor was working!!! I don't understand why people think it is ok to do this?! My son is almost 7 years old and there is no way I will let him out of my sight. If I have to go to the bathroom he will go with me...if he has to go then he better suck it up cuz he is going in the girls room if his Daddy aint around. I don't blame you for being upset...this is a major pet peeve of mine. I guess since I take care of children on a daily basis, it just kinda hits home.

Yep! I would rather my son get upset if I took him into my ladies room anytime over him being molested by someone in the mens room.

 

[themudd4]

That's really too old for a boy to be in the ladies room. I understand your concern and why you don't want to let him in the mens room alone. But there has to be a better way. Perhaps find an uncrowded bathroom and if he doesn't come out after however long it usually takes him, yell in, or even go in after him if he doesn't answer. But 7 is really too old for the ladies room. He should really start using the mens room. Children at older ages can get abducted and molested too, even teenagers. But you kind of have to realize that by a certain age, some things are inappropriate.

I remember many years ago, when I was probably around 5, I went Christmas shopping for my mom in Sullivan's (local department store) with my dad. I had to use the restroom. Well, I'd never gone into a public restroom alone (always with my mom). But my dad obviously couldn't go into the ladies room and he thought it was inappropriate to take me into the mens room. And so, I used the restroom on my own. And young girls can be molested by women too. But some things you just have to do.

Well that is just the difference in our parenting skills. I am not saying every time...Now if we are at a resturant and I know it is not full of long lines or something or if it is the only stall...then ok...I may losen up a lil...but in Disney, or any other large place...NO WAY! I think Disney needs more family restrooms...this fixes the problem real quick! But until I feel comfortable with letting him go it alone, he will be with a trusted adult...male or female!

Not to mention...alot of the restrooms at Disney have more than one way in and out. I have read stories on here of kids going in one side and coming out another and getting lost.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Another thing about restrooms. Lots of places have family restrooms or companions restrooms that you can use instead of going into the female or male restroom. Usually persons who need assistance would use these, but I see no reason why a family who needs help couldn't use them either. I know the movie theater that we often go to has one of these on each side of the building. WDW also has these, usually located between the male and female restrooms.

 

[twinspluscade]

That's really too old for a boy to be in the ladies room. I understand your concern and why you don't want to let him in the mens room alone. But there has to be a better way. Perhaps find an uncrowded bathroom and if he doesn't come out after however long it usually takes him, yell in, or even go in after him if he doesn't answer. But 7 is really too old for the ladies room. He should really start using the mens room. Children at older ages can get abducted and molested too, even teenagers. But you kind of have to realize that by a certain age, some things are inappropriate.

I remember many years ago, when I was probably around 5, I went Christmas shopping for my mom in Sullivan's (local department store) with my dad. I had to use the restroom. Well, I'd never gone into a public restroom alone (always with my mom). But my dad obviously couldn't go into the ladies room and he thought it was inappropriate to take me into the mens room. And so, I used the restroom on my own. And young girls can be molested by women too. But some things you just have to do.

Hmmmm I personally don't think that's too old to go with a parent in a public restroom. My kids aren't that old yet--my twins are only 4.5--but I know there are some places I would not feel comfortable letting them use a public restroom alone when they are 7. It really would depend on the location of the public bathroom for me: the grocery store/pizza place in our teeny tiny town I'd probably be okay with them going in alone; the public restrooms at, say, the Mall of America (or WDW) I would not.

Maelstrom, if you don't mind me asking, how old were your kids when you started letting them go alone?

Kelly

 

[Feralpeg]

That's really too old for a boy to be in the ladies room. I understand your concern and why you don't want to let him in the mens room alone. But there has to be a better way. Perhaps find an uncrowded bathroom and if he doesn't come out after however long it usually takes him, yell in, or even go in after him if he doesn't answer. But 7 is really too old for the ladies room. He should really start using the mens room. Children at older ages can get abducted and molested too, even teenagers. But you kind of have to realize that by a certain age, some things are inappropriate.

I remember many years ago, when I was probably around 5, I went Christmas shopping for my mom in Sullivan's (local department store) with my dad. I had to use the restroom. Well, I'd never gone into a public restroom alone (always with my mom). But my dad obviously couldn't go into the ladies room and he thought it was inappropriate to take me into the mens room. And so, I used the restroom on my own. And young girls can be molested by women too. But some things you just have to do.

Today, I was at a mall here in Orlando. It is a nice mall. I followed a man with two young girls toward the restrooms. The girls were probably about 7 and 5 years of age. I walked past them into the restroom and started into a stall. I quickly backed out because the seat of the toilet was covered with blood. I went into another open stall a couple of stalls down and had just dropped my drawers when I realized that the two little girls had gone into the stall with the blood. I'm not talking about a tiny drop. The seat was smeared. By the time I got myself together and went to the other stall, the girls were in and had the door shut. I told them they should use another stall because that one was dirty. They did not open the door and I could see a pair of little feet dangling. She was sitting on the seat. I went out and told the dad what was happening. He just said thanks and stood there. I left.

I did see a mall cleaning person a few minutes later and told her what I found in the bathroom. She said okay, but wasn't in any hurry to get there.

The point is that little kids don't always use good judgement. I'm sure the dad did not want to take the girls into the men's room, but letting them go into the women's bathroom by themselves was a mistake. By the way, there are family restrooms available at this mall.

 

[NotUrsula]

In those cases where people leave babies in strollers outside stores at WDW,(especially sleeping babies) what you may be witnessing could be a cultural divide. It is quite common and customary in some countries for children to be left sleeping in strollers outside restaurants and shops while their parents go inside. Tourists from those countries often do not realize that in the US, the practice is considered neglectful and unsafe.

 

[Olaf]

I was in Finland several years ago and was walking down the street. In front of the post office was a baby buggy, right there on the sidewalk! With no adult around! I almost had a heart attack. My Finnish friend could not understand why I was so upset! I said, "Uh, well, there is a child in that buggy with no parent around anywhere". She said, "Yeah, I know. The parent is probably mailing some letters". I said, "Yes, I know, but she left her baby out here on the sidewalk"!

My friend honestly looked at me like I had a snake on my head -- like I was the nut, not the parent! She told me that Finland is so much safer than America that seeing children alone is not uncommon. She wanted to move to America but was so concerned to how much crime is here that she changed her mind!

Yes, it's very common throughout Europe to see this.

There is some truth to the statement that stranger child abductions are overhyped in this country--they're actually very rare. However, I'm certainly not willing to risk it.

 

[LvsTnk]

So true, good observations.

As said, can happen anywhere. Here in my home town, some ped abused a little kid in our holiday packed Walmart...........

http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=260646

Thankfully they nailed the guy, half way across the country, but they have him. You have to watch your kids.

Oh Dan, that really upset me! I have been trying to give my son with special needs a little more independence as he is getting older but I am putting the brakes on that one. It was soo close to home, and that poor boy