Is letting kids under 10 watch younger kids child abuse?

Question

Why I am asking is because I took my kids to the park yesterday, And to my surprise I saw a girl about 7 or 8 pulling a wagon with two smaller kids (a boy about 4 and a baby girl maybe 1 and a half) to the park.. all by herself crossing streets with the kids in the wagon.. She got to the park and she took the smaller kids out and helped them play on the swings and slide and gave the smaller one her bottle and held her.. it was crazy its like she was the mom .. But she was just a young little girl.. It really hurt my feelings that the girl is being a mommy instead of a 8 year old.. seems to me that she should have been playing along with her brother and sister not being the mom.. Is this child abuse? it sure made me sad and mad!

Answer 1

As bad as that may be, its not abuse and you dont even know the girls name. Yesterday when I was driving downtow some little boy looked about 9 had a twin strooler and a 4 yr walk beside him and I almost hit those kids because they came out of noward. Its scared the c**p out of me, and the fact that if I ever did hit one of them I wouldnt even know who there parents are. But you cant really do anything, inless you know her name.

Answer 2

I would definatly say its wrong. Its neglect. The parents are probably on drugs or something. i would call and tell your local DHR what you know and see if they can find out who it is. If you see them at the park again I would talk tp her and see if she will tell you her name. These kids should be with loving parents who will care for them

Answer 3

I guess it's all perspective, as the oldest child who lived in a single parent household, I don't think of it as abuse.  The mom if anything like mine was probably dead tired and home taking a nap thinking all of her kids were home safe and little momma wanted to go out to play and didn't bother to wake mom.  I've been guilty of that one and let me tell you my mom had a fit when I got home and was sick with worry.  Before everyone wants to say the mom is abusing her children & is on drugs, why not think that she is working 2 jobs and the deadbeat Dad bailed after kid #3 and left her to do it alone and she's doing the best she can.  Again, it's all in the perspective.  Sad I agree but all parents that are absent for one reason or another are not bad parents, most of them are just trying to get by and are offered no help or understanding by those around them.

Answer 4

Not abuse... the girl sounds extremely responsible. Why should it "hurt" your feelings that this girl is playing mommy? I think you are over reacting and being extremely dramatic. While it is not the best idea for this girl to be doing this herself you have to give the girl credit... it's not like she just dropped them off and ran off to play.

This girl might not have been 7 or 8! For all you know she could have been 12 or 13! I've seen some VERY young looking 13-year-old girls.

Answer 5

Yes, neglect is a form of child abuse.  It's not a physical form, which is what most people think of when they envision child abuse, but it is certainly detrimental to a child to be neglected.  The eldest girl is having to take on responsibilities well beyond her years while the mother of the children is God knows here doing who knows what!  That would anger me as well.  It's one thing to let the children play independently at the park while you supervise, but to let them walk with younger children across busy streets and play by themselves at the park where anything could happen is sheer neglect for the best interest of the child.

Answer 6

This is a strange q. When I was 8, I had three younger siblings and I loved taking them to the playground with me. My mom totally trusted me and we played together and none of us were in danger.  I didn't feel like I was the mom, it was fun.  It kind of hurts my feelings that you would suggest that this is abuse. I wasn't involved any any kind of abusive behavior, I was playing with my family!  Even to whomever suggested neglect- that's kind of a reach. It depends, were they left to their own devices all day, or did the mom let them go play for an hour in the neighborhood park.

Answer 7

its definately neglect. its not active abuse. but it could end in the same manner, all it takes is for something to happen one time, i hope you picked up your cell phone and dialed the authorities and informed them of what you saw so something could be done.(i hope i would have had the presence of mind to have done so myself)

Answer 8

It is neglect and should be reported.

Answer 9

I feel it is abuse as well. Not to mention illegal. States have different age requirements for babysitters. I put in "legal age to babysit children" in google and it brought several different sites for different states. You may be able to find out the laws in your state.

Answer 10

If you were truly concerned than you would have called the police.

Wher the heck do you live?

Answer 11

That is awful and I believe that it would constitute neglect. It is one thing to let your 10 year old help keep an eye on younger kids while you are making dinner a room away, but the situation you describe is rediculous.

Answer 12

That's just nuts.  I would have confronted the little girl and asked where her parents were.  I would have called the police.  The problem with society nowadays is no one wants to get involved, so things like this happen all the time.  Looks like the stories from the others can verify this...it happens everywhere.

What a shame for that poor little girl!  She probably has to diaper them, make dinner, bathe them and put them to bed too.  Sheesh.

Answer 13

I hate when that happens. It is neglect, not outright abuse, and should be reported.

The red cross and ymca teach babysitting classes to kids at about 11, but I would never leave mine with anyone under 14 or 15.

A woman used to live near me who had three children, ages 5, 3 and 2. She would leave in her car with them playing in the street, hours at a time. The 2 year old would be only in a diaper and playing in the road.

I called 1-800-4-a-child, and they told me what to do. they can advise you. However, you typically have to know thier names and addresses. If you do not, it is still worth calling.

They can help

Answer 14

well its not child abuse. but it is sad.

maybe she doesnt do it very often- and was just helping her mom out for the day (maybe they live close to the park)

i remember i did that when i was 9 and my little sister was one year. but it wasnt a everyday thing. maybe once a week. i never minded.

Answer 15

i was a latch key kid so my little sister and i came home by ourselves after school.  we called our mom when we got home watched tv and did our homework.  i think we came out ok.

she was also a single parent who had to work to put food on the table.  i dont think its child abuse per se.  the mom was probably at work dont be so quick to judge.  not everybody has the luxury to be stay at home moms