[kimmydawn]

****** potential trigger - baby left alone in car ******





I took my little man to preschool today and happily walked out to the car after telling him goodbye.

Beside my car I heard a baby crying. I looked and a baby (about a year old) was in the car next to me...alone...crying.

I waited a minute with my mind saying, "mama will be right back". She didn't come right back. Finally, I saw someone I knew and asked her to tell a teacher. It was hot.

Another woman/girl heard me telling this woman I knew and she said, "Oh, that's my friend's baby." She came outside with me. She went in to get his mother and she wouldn't come because her daughter was in there screaming, but knew her friend had him at that point. The friend ended up taking him from his seat after I complained about the heat, then took him in to his mother.

As we were standing there, she told me that he has a muscle disorder and already has difficulties and he was left alone in a hot car.

I counted up and remember seeing her out front (with her daughter) in line to go into the school for about 10 minutes. All total, that baby had to have been out there alone for 25+ minutes.

I left and cried. I worried how much this happened, remembering that while I was standing there an overwrought grandma left two babies in seats while she took her other grandson inside.

I pulled out the card to the preschool and called them. I just couldn't NOT say something. I had to. I asked them to keep it anonymous but to maybe send out a flyer to parents instructing them that children aren't to be left alone in cars. She said she would handle it.

I will talk with the little man's teacher when I go back as well to make sure she's aware of this.

I know they'll know it's me that said something and it's a pretty rough area over there. I thought about that. I worry about the children more.

KD

Hi KimmyDawn,
Not only is it hot but the poor babies could be abducted. I think you did the right thing. It's good you're there to say something. If they don't like it than it's because of their own guilty consciences.
(((((((KimmyDawn))))))))

[kimmydawn]

Thank you ((((((((((((( jax )))))))))))))))))

I was once a young woman with two small children. I was the hyper-vigilent mom who walked behind my kids with arms held out ready to catch them at any minute.

I've contacted authorities before, and will again if I ever need to. This is our babies and children. I didn't call the authorities today as I know the school will if they feel that need. I think a letter would suffice.

Also, I've noticed this little blonde-haired cutie before and his mom took him in the first three days, so I don't think it's something she makes a habit of. That's another reason I just contacted the school. However, I felt that need to do SOMETHING because of him and the other two babies left...bawling.

Thanks again,

KD

[Sabrina]

I have made many mistakes with my son, but that is one thing I cannot fathom from any mother.

I cannot even leave my dog in the car, let alone my baby.

I am sorry you had to go through that.

[kimmydawn]

Thank so for your thoughts here (((((((((( sabrina )))))))))) as well as your support.

KD

[Rapunzel]

You did just right. I'm sure that the mom had her hands full, and maybe she needs some help with managing the two kids when both need something at the same time. But leaving a baby in a car is so dangerous. If one person does it, someone else might see and think maybe it's not so bad, and it could snowball as people start accepting it as the norm. I wonder if the preschool could help parents to be more alert and offer each other a hand so that kids are better off. Telling the school was the right thing.

I have called authorities when I saw a baby left alone in a car too (I saw this at a restaurant - obviously the parents had gone in to eat and probably figured the baby would sleep long enough, but the baby had gotten out of the car seat and was up playing with the steering wheel and instrument panel. What if the baby somehow managed to set the car in motion? Abduction is another possibility. And children can die from the heat. At least one mom I have heard about went to prison because she didn't have a babysitter, and left her baby in her car while she went to work. She went out and checked on him on her breaks, but it wasn't enough. That baby died when the car became like an oven in the afternoon. That would be a terrible thing to have to live with for the rest of your life. I know that intentions are not to hurt or neglect one's children most of the time. It's hard being a mom. But it still doesn't make it okay, and when we see something that isn't okay, we need to speak up and do what we can to change it. That's what you did.

Rap

[kimmydawn]

Thank you so much (((((((((((( Rap )))))))))))))

Yes, I didn't want her "in trouble" or anything like that. I think one thing led to another with her daughter crying inside. She's a young mother, and seems to be a good mother. I think a reminder of what CAN'T (under no circumstance) happen will bring it right back around (this is the first time she left him there).

The grandma that left the two today? She had asked me Tuesday to keep an eye on the other two while she took her grandson in. She could have today as well.

Thanks for validating my feelings and actions. It's tough and I don't want her in trouble, but that the school "address" it generally.

Thanks so much,

KD

[JustAPixie]

OMG Kinny, that's terrible!

[jennie]

((((((((kimmydawn)))))))) You did the right thing!

It's always hard addressing issues and feelings of the things that bad parents do (neglect, abuse, etc.). I know the anger I feel towards bad parents.

Unfortunately, children have no rights. They can't vote or make laws. Too many adults do not care about the needs of a child.

I'm glad children have an advocate like you on their side.

[hillbunnyb]

parenting demands so much from people. mornings can be such chaos. it's so easy to be swept up in the stress of the moment and make bad dicisions. sometimes it takes an outsider's observation/input to shake us out of our complacency and force us to reevaluate what we been doing.

Better to suffer through a few embarrassing moments, on all sides, and get folks back on track, ie: no leaving children alone in cars, perios end. Even if you think you are only going to be gone a second or two. KaKa happens.

Maybe they could have assigned, well labelled car/kid watchers to help with the gap in coverage while the parent takes the enrolled one inside. A couple of special parking spots for "loaded" cars that need monitoring??? This problem occurs every day all over the country.

I'm glad you interviened. Karma points in heaven for helping the helpless. Especially a crying baby in a hot car. !!!!!.

))))))))) ))) kimmydawn ((((((( ( (( (

[OneAndMany]

Hillbunny

(((((((((((((((((kimmydawn)))))))))))))))))

I'm glad you spoke up for the baby.



Elizabeth

[lenjan]

((((((((((((((((((KD)))))))))))))))) You did the right thing. You are one heck of an advocate for kids. I really admire you for it.



Love, Candy

[kimmydawn]

Thanks so much everyone. Hillbunny, what a great thought!

I usually know (because I help there) the parents who have the younger ones. I could offer to keep an eye on the tots so that the preschoolers could be taken in and all are safe. Great idea and I think I'll offer that. I'll approach them individually as I know the ones that don't have help with the smaller ones.

thank you again so much everyone. this was tough and weighed so heavy on my heart. i think she's a good, but overburdened, mom. i don't think she needs ridicule, but help for 5 mins...maybe 15. i'll offer that.

y'all helped me so much because i felt bad but did what i feel i needed to.

love,

kd

[deepblue]

this may trigger ......................................



this is your special purpose you are here to make sure the young and vunerable are not taken advantage of.

adults know the risks involved with children when they are left unnattended,children are naieve they see no danger ,they cry when they are lonely,sometimes they cry because they want to be free from the restraint ,but babies,children are what they are ,

they are the innocent ,the pure souls, in this world we should not use our misguided judgement on them thinking they will be safe left alone !!!!!!!!!

[kimmydawn]

Thank you deep blue.

Yes, I've always had a heavy heart for our children, and have acted many times.

You're so right about our precious ones. I was rarely "precious", but knew what I longed for and went from there.

Thanks again,

KD

[Evangelista]

(((((Kimmy))))) you(s) are precious to us!!!!!...

..

[kimmydawn]

((((((((((((((( Evangelista ))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much!

You know that you are too. Your posts always put words to things I never could find words for and I ALWAYS appreciate that because I feel so less isolated...whether it's something I currently deal with or did in the past.

KD