Locked out in the Rain

[LittleButton]

What would you do if your neighbours constantly "seemed" as though they were neglecting their children?

A few instances:

The children are ages about 5 and under

Child was locked outside crying his eyes out in the rain, screaming to his mum to let him in.
The little girl is constantly screaming/crying very loudly and clearly, (this house is about 5 houses down, shows you how loud it was)
Their dog is always out, always looking for food, i've had to stop and get out of my car to shoo the dog out of the way.
The children never wear shoes
They never clean
Always running out and playing on the road.

I dont know what to do....? Advice please....

[~Emmylou~]

After everything that's happened with all these child neglect cases in the last few weeks...I'd report it. It's time people stopped turning a blind eye to stuff like this :(

[punkbaby]

I would go over and say hi maybe just to get a feel to see how things were.

Firstly though, no shoes unclean etc, my kids stay clean for a whole 5 minutes, my 3yo hates shoes, i can guarantee that i am constantly wiping hands and faces and now i am at the point, now if their clothes are dirty from playing they can stay in them till bath time LOL unless of course we have to go somewhere (yep lazy but 5 changes of clothes a day is a joke LOL) this wouldnt really be something that would concern me first up.

The locking outside in the rain would worry me.
The running up the road would (but some parents think its ok to do)

The screaming wel that could be taken in a bad way or it could be that she is just a screamer, kids have tantrums, kids can sound terrible when it may be something simple like not getting their own way etc or just having a moment but once again, i would be a little worried, thats why i would probably suss out things first, introduce myself and see what the situation is.

I dont know what i would do go with my gut feeling i guess first, when she is loced outside though ask them why, or ring the police and mention it they may just drop in and have a word

[ComeBackKid]

I agree that some of the incidents are worrying and that you should do something about it.

I like the above idea about going to introduce yourself and see how receptive she is towards you and help etc. i dont think single incidents should automatically leading to child protection reports and you should some more investigating. I would go over and talk to her see how she is coping and if you can help. if you get there and she doesnt seem receptive to hep and her place seems dangerous or unsafe for the kids, I would report.

Best of luck. I do think you need to intervene somehow,.

[jayisa02]

i would report it personally. I would rather be wrong than not report it and something happen. :no:

[WorkingClassMum]

I'd be trying to strike up a "friendship/acquaintence" so you can actually see and measure what's going on.

All those things lumped together are a worry, but picked apart are not so bad - maybe

I also agree you can't turn a blind eye to it.

Maybe the dog would be a great ice-breaker - catch the dog, and walk him home, "Hi, just caught your dog running free, I saw the ranger up the road - don't want you to get fined, my name is Little Button by the way, how old are your kids, ....." and see how that goes.....

[Mummy2Noah]

:( It brings tears to my eyes and makes me so angry how people can neglect there children what sort of human being can do it????? I would report it for sure!!!:(

[LittleButton]

Did exactly as you said, but instead of a friendly niceness,

she said "do you want the dog"
I said " but he is your right?"
She said " 50$ little mut is a pain in the f**** a**"
I said sorry i already have 2 which is the maximum for housing where i am.

She said "fine," (snatching the dog) "Now get going!"


I dont know what im doing wrong, i was very nice and sincere but seriosusly i dont need another dog.... though RSPCA is defiantly on speed dial atm....

what now?????

[WorkingClassMum]

Nod and wave every time you see her.

Diarise all what you see, and if it mounts up to too much - report it.

You've tried to be friendly:shakehands:, you've extended yourself - and kudos to you:thumbsup:, you've shown some community spirit.:yelclap:

Maybe start by catching the dog (again:rolleyes:) and ringing the council. The dog has rights too:rolleyes:.

**sigh** - some people don't deserve what they've got - they shouldn't have kids or pets.

[canberramomma]

I think, if you've tried to show neighbourly concern (which you have) and you've come up against a brick wall, reporting to the relevant authorities and keeping an eye on the situation is the best you can do. If nothing is going on, they (the authorities) will back away. If there is something that needs addressing, hopefully between concerned neighbours and the authorities it will be addressed. Good on you for caring!:yelclap::yes:

[MW&S]

Report it. It's not worth the risk ignoring it and imagine if something happened.

[reAllytee]

I would go over and say hi maybe just to get a feel to see how things were.

Firstly though, no shoes unclean etc, my kids stay clean for a whole 5 minutes, my 3yo hates shoes, i can guarantee that i am constantly wiping hands and faces and now i am at the point, now if their clothes are dirty from playing they can stay in them till bath time LOL unless of course we have to go somewhere (yep lazy but 5 changes of clothes a day is a joke LOL) this wouldnt really be something that would concern me first up.

The locking outside in the rain would worry me.
The running up the road would (but some parents think its ok to do)

The screaming wel that could be taken in a bad way or it could be that she is just a screamer, kids have tantrums, kids can sound terrible when it may be something simple like not getting their own way etc or just having a moment but once again, i would be a little worried, thats why i would probably suss out things first, introduce myself and see what the situation is.

I dont know what i would do go with my gut feeling i guess first, when she is loced outside though ask them why, or ring the police and mention it they may just drop in and have a word

:iagree:


I'd be trying to strike up a "friendship/acquaintence" so you can actually see and measure what's going on.

All those things lumped together are a worry, but picked apart are not so bad - maybe

I also agree you can't turn a blind eye to it.

Maybe the dog would be a great ice-breaker - catch the dog, and walk him home, "Hi, just caught your dog running free, I saw the ranger up the road - don't want you to get fined, my name is Little Button by the way, how old are your kids, ....." and see how that goes.....


Nod and wave every time you see her.

Diarise all what you see, and if it mounts up to too much - report it.

You've tried to be friendly, you've extended yourself - and kudos to you:thumbsup:, you've shown some community spirit.:yelclap:

Maybe start by catching the dog (again:rolleyes:) and ringing the council. The dog has rights too

**sigh** - some people don't deserve what they've got - they shouldn't have kids or pets.

And :iagree: .... How un-ewe-shew-al ! :p

You are awesome for trying to do the right thing !

Do not blame yourself or think you have done wrong ! You just tried to find an 'in' so to speak to see if help was needed ... You are awesome !

Like Kayte said start noting things down etc & then when it all seems like a decent amount call it in & at least then you can give all the reasons why not just a " i saw something odd the other day " iykwim !

AGain you are awesome !

[ComeBackKid]

I think you have done the right thing and approached the siutation the right way.

If there are immediate concerns re the dog I would call the counil or the RSPCA.

Have their been any more incidents with the kids? I would take note of anything you see and if you dont make any more progress with her and she keeps that same attitude call child protection. I think it was right to give her the benefit of the doubt but if that is her attitude and she is not responsive to your friendliness and help, definitely child protection.

[poodysmum]

Report it. It's not worth the risk ignoring it and imagine if something happened.:iagree: both child services and the rspca