Hellobee Boards

I'm another one throwing my hat into the ring...and my support at OP. I have called the authorities to report a child being left in a car. After I watched for close to 10 minutes and no parents appeared, I called. But I watched and waited, giving the parents the benefit of the doubt. Because even back then, as a 20-something year old kid with no children, I knew that sometimes, you just can't do everything at once. And sometimes, it's easier to leave a baby in the car seat while you run and drop your groceries inside or pay for your gas or pick up your dry cleaning.

I think that that woman completely over-reacted and definitely cold have handled herself better. And I AM a social worker and therefore also a mandated reported, but this situation would not have come back on her or her license if - God forbid - something did happen to the baby. Not unless she finds out something happens and then goes to the authorities and says "Yes, and I saw her leave the baby in the car for a minute!" And even then, I don't think it would come back on her license. Neither her job nor her license as a social worker are not in any jeopardy in that situation, and for her to use her title like that is embarrassing. I'm so sorry that you weren't treated with more compassion.

@azjax: I think people need to understand what calling CPS entails, which I myself didn't, until some ladies posted. Given what the investigations warrant and the emotional toll it takes on families that are investigated, I really think people need to give it a long thought and make sure they're really calling for the right reasons. To me, that means not take isolated incidents and make that judgment call.

@Truth Bombs: It's not always as black and white as she got the baby in and out when she got home, so she can do it 100 times a day. Or that there is no benefit. As someone with a chronic illness that results in severe pain and joint disclocations and subluxations, I have to make these decisions every single day and there are real benefits to doing it. Every day is different as far as how my body will feel and respond to certain things. Things still need to get done regardless of how I am feeling, so there are times when I absolutely have to carefully plan how I will get what I need to get done in a way that also limits the amount of times I have to pick my carseat up. I have to get it in the car at home and out of the car at home - those are obvious non-negotiables, so I need to plan around being able to do that. But, for me there are very real benefits to leaving my kid in the car (where it is legal for me to do so) to run a quick errand because if I don't, I may pay for it in other ways later. Any time my husband is home he puts the kids in the car and takes them out for me. Some days I have to have my in-laws come over to help me. Things aren't always what they seem and everyone has the right to make those decisions (where legal) for themselves without being berated and threatened.