re: To call Child Protective Services or not?

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But why do you care about other people's children?

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Seriously? So if you see a kid in harms way, are you just going to ignore him/her and say "that aint my kid".

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Come the frick on dude. Reply with something intelligent.

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He said "why are you worried, it's not your kid?".

I think my response was appropriate.

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You don't know anything about this family or their routine. For all you know, their work could be around the corner or down the street. With cameras in the house. Or a cell phone call away from the 8 year old. Who knows.

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I don't know anything about the family. But I do know 8 year olds. Until just two weeks ago, my daughter was 8. I know how they think and what they can and can't do. And like I said, only a fricking idiot would think it's a good idea to give an 8 yr old the responsibility of watching a younger child. There is a thousand things that could go wrong and that 8 yr old wouldn't know what to do.

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All I know is that I was 7 or 8 years old growing up and left to do as I pleased outside or whatever. I would ride miles from the house. As long as my parents knew what I was doing and approximately where I was going. It can work for some 8 year olds.

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So your mom let you play outside when you were 8. Good, so did mine. But allowing an 8 year old to go outside and play is far different than leaving them home alone and responsible for another child.

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Would I let my 8 year old watch a 6year old? No

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Because you're not a fricking idiot.

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Doesn't warrant calling CPS at first glance

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I didn't say call CPS. I'd talk to the parents and see if there was anything I could do to help. And it's not to help them. They're adults. It's to help those kids who can't help thrmselves.

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If you think leaving an 8 yr old at home alone and responsible for a 6yr old is a good idea you're a fricking idiot.

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I have to agree. I have a whole herd of kids. An 8 year old boy watching a 6 year old boy all day is a recipe for disaster. Pretty soon one of them is going to think, "hmmm....i wonder what standing on the roof is like" or "does fire burn a mattress?"

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If I was going to make a call, it'd probably to the cops first. They see more situations like this, and theyshould be able to determine if this is "normal" in "your neighborhood."

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Good advice.

I called the police once on my neighbor after he came home drunk with the kids in the car. He had hit the curb at the gas station and came home on just his rim. Heard the kids screaming and what not once I came outside to check on the commotion of the rim on the pavement.

The police came out for a "welfare" check. Nothing happened to him from the police, but his wife's friend saw the police there and told her about it. She filed for divorce a few weeks later. True story, and CSB, I know.

And then the kids are beaten and end up on the news after they're killed. Those parents aren't normal. No sane parent leaves their children at 6&8 home alone. You talking to the parents is a bad idea. It's neglect leaving children in that situation

Exibit A of why kids dont know what they want to be when they grow up anymore by College and why people are on their parents health insurance until mid 20s.

But definitly call CPS if the 8 year old isnt in a car seat.

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And then the kids are beaten and end up on the news after they're killed. Those parents aren't normal. No sane parent leaves their children at 6&8 home alone. You talking to the parents is a bad idea. It's neglect leaving children in that situation

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The kids will be in worse danger if they end up in the system.

Anyone who says you should call CPS hasn't dealt with CPS. They have total authority and operate outside of the law.