People! Watch your kids!

[NWOhioAngela]

We had a very scary incident at Pop yesterday that I wanted to tell people about. I know it has been talked about on the podcast but why do people think that because this is Disney, you can let your guard down and take chances with your kids!

Yesterday afternoon as we were leaving our room at Pop, we saw a young boy, around 4 walking around the second floor of our building. He didnt seem in distress, but I watched him a bit and he was just wandering around too long without an adult. We actually walked past him and something made me turn around and go back and make sure he was okay. When we asked him if he was okay he said yes. When I asked him where his parents were, he told me they were at the "flower pool". We are in the 50s section, so that is way too far to the hippy dippy pool, so I didnt know what to think. We just kind of stood there talking to him for awhile about lost parents, hoping a CM would walk by or a parent would show up but nothing. The kid just wanted to wander around and he had no idea where he was. I was worried that it would look wrong if I had this kid with me, so finally I found another mom walking on my floor who talked with us--again not his family. We were about to call security, when grandpa walked up to claim his grandson.

Apparently the young boy was supposed to be napping in the room under the care of a 13 year old cousin and the younger kid just left the room. Grandpa didnt seem concerned at all--didnt thank us for watching the kid, or rush into the room to see if the 13 year old was okay or anything. He was very non-plussed by the whole thing. The other mom and I were satisfied that the kid did indeed belong with the guy so we left him with him, but the whole thing was horrible.

This child was with me for easily 10 minutes. I have no doubt, no doubt that if I had evil intent, that child would have come with me anywhere I asked him to. Very scary. Please please please, don't forget that although its Disney World, it is still the real world and be dilligent with your children.

 

[Cruz Family]

Its sad but, I am not surprised one bit! People just dont get it until something bad happens....and sometimes they still don't get it!

 

[BigGreen73]

All I can say is wow. Unbelievable. Any really, you can't even say just because it's Disney etc..... This type of thing happens everywhere, everyday and people wonder why bad things happened. Very sad indeed

 

[Annette_VA]

Wow, that is so scary to think what might have happened to that child. And it's just sickening that the family was so nonchalant about it!!!

 

[DVCsince02]

Makes me want to hit the parents in the head with a pool noodle.

 

[chirurgeon]

Makes me want to hit the parents in the head with a pool noodle.

Nah, way too soft. A pool lounge maybe.

Kim

 

[kimis]

Thank heavens for people like you to watch out for him. That is too scarey. Some parents just don't get it. It only takes a moment.

 

[Madi100]

That is scary that he was out walking around and that grandpa was not concerned. But, here 13 year olds baby-sit all the time. Do you think that it was wrong that the parents left him with the 13 year old? My 11 year old has baby-sat. I would be very concerned that the 13 year old wasn't out looking for that child.

I do think that people really let their guard down though and think that nothing could possibly go wrong at the Happiest Place On Earth.

 

[LilGMom]

What I don't get is that in order to operate a vehicle you have to take and pass a test and occaisionally retest as the years go by. But to be a parent there is no test.

I don't see anything wrong with a 4 yr. old being left in the care of a 13 yr. old (heck, I was babysitting before that age) but the fact that the kid was wandering around, the 13 yr. old wasn't looking for the 4 yr. old and the fact that the grandfather acted like it was no big deal is what bugs me. I don't care if you are sleeping in Cinderella's castle, you still have to watch your kids and especially at that age.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

The other scary thing is not only an evil person coming across this kid (which is possible) but even more likely is the kid falling from the second level, falling into a pool with no lifeguard, wandering into the parking lot and getting hit my a car, getting an arm stuck in the elevator and on and on. Something like that is probably even more likely as those dangers are definatly around.

Call me overprotective, but I'd rather watch my kids then wish I had...

 

[DISNEYNV]

I have encountered this type of parental irresponsibility before as well. It is horrible to think about what could happen but apparently the parents of this little child do not think that way! So sad.

 

[HallsInTheKingdom]

What I don't get is that in order to operate a vehicle you have to take and pass a test and occaisionally retest as the years go by. But to be a parent there is no test.

^^^^^^^^Ding Ding Ding^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What happened here is someone being very selfish. Yes, you are on vacation and yes, you deserve to enjoy yourself, but to leave a 4 year old in the hands of an obviously incapable 13 year old? I too know of very capable 13 year olds, so that is not the issue. The issue is making appropriate arrangements; you can’t wing it when it comes to kids and their safety.

As a parent myself, I do have to make many sacrifices to watch after them. But I would not trade that in for anything. I enjoy spending time with my kids, and when I do go off without them, I am sure to leave them in very capable hands.

How bad would you feel if something would have happened because you made a very selfish decision, a lifetime of guilt for spending a few hours poolside without the kids? I know I would beat myself silly.

Enjoy your vacation, but do not forget you still have responsibilities!

BE THE PARENT!

---Stepping off the soapbox now-------

 

[Becx N Gav]

The other scary thing is not only an evil person coming across this kid (which is possible) but even more likely is the kid falling from the second level, falling into a pool with no lifeguard, wandering into the parking lot and getting hit my a car, getting an arm stuck in the elevator and on and on. Something like that is probably even more likely as those dangers are definatly around.

Call me overprotective, but I'd rather watch my kids then wish I had...

We visited Pop to have a look around and wandered out the back near the lake - it was deserted and very easy for a curious child to fall in. Even if they can swim the shock can often hamper their attempts not to mention weeds etc. at the bottom (I shudder thinking about this)

And to leave a minor in charge of a minor away from home is not good. There was a case a couple of years ago where a child went missing in Spain whilst the parents were at dinner (a few yards away) to this day there is no news on the little one (although some have mentioned fowl play by the parents )

Thank you for brining this to peoples attention, as you say it's easy to think you will be safe at Disney but they can't control everything. I don't even have kids but I do have common sense and a 'what if' attitude and I try to cover all my bases.

 

[wishspirit]

That is scary that he was out walking around and that grandpa was not concerned. But, here 13 year olds baby-sit all the time. Do you think that it was wrong that the parents left him with the 13 year old? My 11 year old has baby-sat. I would be very concerned that the 13 year old wasn't out looking for that child.

Wow! Big cultural differences between here and the US (or maybe just where i live). I didn't start babysitting till i was 17, not because i wasn't capable or trustworthy, its just that it isn't the 'done thing' to have under 16's mind your children. It is a criminal offense in the UK to leave children unattended for an unreasonable period of time dependant on age (open to interpretation). No one i know would leave a 4 year old with a 13 year old, even if they were responsible, for over 30 mins. I have babysat 13 year olds when i was 18!

Its all about the responsibility of the teenager, but the idea of a thirteen year old looking after a 4 year old kinda scares me! Maybe cause i just meet the less responsible ones!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Grandpa needs to be smacked IMO. A 13 year old is old enough to babysit if they are mature and have babysat at home and understand the responsibility. I cant say much my neice told my 3 year old to get out of a stroller on our recent visit and he climbed into someone elses stroller and was lost for a few minutes but my reaction was not that of grandpa's it was pure panic. So yes it can happen but on vacation we need to be extra vigulent. BELIEVE ME I have learned a very serious lesson on letting a 12 year old "watch" your child. Even when her mother was supposed to be in charge of all the kids. Never again. But grandpa is the one I am worried about acting like he could care less. WOW. It scares me to think what could have happened.

 

[mandymommy4]

They are lucky the little boy did not vanish! Our dd got lost recently on the MGM playground and a stranger picked her up tried to walk away with her.

Disney is not immune to the dangerous people that roam looking for innocent prey!

 

[arbasica]

Can't tell you how many times we've been in the parks and seen very young kids wondering around by themselves and watched them to see if there were parents around only to see that frantic adult come up screaming at the kid like it was their fault...grrr...my recent uncomfortable moment was in a rest room at Hollywood Studios, I understand taking young children to the bathroom of the opposite sex because the adult can't go in the other, but I was washing my hands and noticed a young LADY, she had to be at least 10 standing outside of a stall presumably waiting for dad to finish up ! In this day and age and I hate to say it especially at Disney why would you expose this young girl to undoubtedly a bunch of old perverts ! I hate to even think that way but where else would child pervs hang out Oh well....
It has become a sad time...
Tony

 

[dpuck1998]

These are the same people that end up on CNN complaining about how Disney lost their kids and its an unsafe place.

I have and will not ever leave my kids with anyone High School age or younger. All my baby sitters are college age at a minimum. I just don't trust the judgment of most kids that age. I know I was an idiot at that age, I'm sure there are some competent kids that age, but its not worth finding out later that they are not ready.

 

[tinkbutt]

wow!! how crazy I would have been terrified!!

 

[daneenm]

That is scary that he was out walking around and that grandpa was not concerned. But, here 13 year olds baby-sit all the time. Do you think that it was wrong that the parents left him with the 13 year old? My 11 year old has baby-sat. I would be very concerned that the 13 year old wasn't out looking for that child.

I agree with you. I would have no qualms with my 12 year old being responsible for my 3 year old niece in this kind of situation. I think it comes down, not to the age of the person in charge, but whether he/she can handle the responsibility.

I would be more concerned about the lack of concern when it did happen.