Isn't this child neglect?

Question

O.K my sister-in-law has a 7 year old son. She works midnights and needs to sleep during the day. During the week she sleeps while he is in school. On the weekends when there is nobody to watch him, she goes to sleep and leaves him up alone to play his video games or watch television. She prepares a sandwich and some chips or crackers and places it in the fridge for him to eat. I think this is terrible!!!! I have told her it is illegal, but she states she has to do it. She has no choice and has to sleep so she can work. What if he leaves the house and goes into the street, or tries to use the stove and catches the place on fire? He is only seven years old. I cannot watch him I have 2 kids of my own and am taking care of my sick father. It is just too much right now. But I am concerned.

Answer 1

he is definatly neglacted and you should talk to your sister in law to get a day job

Answer 2

If he is a responsible 7 year old it should be fine.  She is in the house afterall.  If there were real trouble hopefully she has instructed him to wake her up.

Answer 3

I don't think any of that is illegal.  As long as he is not doing anything like you mentioned (going outside, playing with the stove) then, in the law's eyes, nothing is going wrong.  I agree that is no way to raise a child, but just because you don't agree with the way she is raising him doesn't make it illegal.  There's a thin line between "not legal" and "not right".

Answer 4

I would be concerned also.  I would never be able to sleep while my child was awake.  Is there anyone that can come over and sit with him while she is asleep?  A neighbor or anyone?  I would see if you can help her find someone that can come over while she has to sleep.

Answer 5

I had a friend who done this and her 6 year old boy caught the apartment on fire.........she is now serving 2 years in jail for child endangerment.  The boy is living with family members.  

Although I can understand she needs her sleep. She could treat her daytime naps like she is at work and hire a babysitter during the day. A neighborhood teen would be perfect and cheaper.

Answer 6

What do you want her to do? I'm not by any means saying it's ok to leave a child unattended, but she's a single mother and doing the right thing by working.  If you or your family won't take him, then how do you propose she rectify the situation?? Quit her job so she can't pay for the food to fix him the sandwich or loose the roof over his head? If you're not going to step up then you need to back off.  Unless you've ever experienced what being a single mother is like, you have no idea what she goes through.

Answer 7

I don't think it's illegal - you would have to check with the CPS office in your state to make that determination. Whether  it's a GOOD idea depends on the child. My oldest 2 boys were mature enough and well behaved enough that I could sleep and let them play. Granted, it wasn't all day but I did take naps when I had small babies (my kids are 19, 12, 7 and 5). Talk to your brother and see if he knows this is going on, tell him your concerns and see if he can't come up with a better solution.

Answer 8

i have a great solution for this............ this is what u call a micro fix........... its easy and just as simple as pie................. tell her to hire some 1 to watch him coz i think thats neglect too............. no kids under the age of 7 shouldnt be left alon unsupervised............... tell her to hire a nanny or a babysitter for him or otherwise try to get ur schedule work out.

Answer 9

This is completely legal since the mother is home.  I don't really see an issue here.  I'd hope a 7 year old knows basic safety lessons-911, stove etc.  If there was something he couldn't handle or wanted he can wake his mother up.  

Perhaps she could set up a few play dates for him during the day at anothr child's house just so he's not lonely all day.  That would be my only issue.

Answer 10

What is illegal about a mother sleeping while her 7 year old is up?  There is nothing illegeal here nor is this neglect.  If the boy needed something he has a prent in the home.  Just becuase YOU think it is terrible doesn't give YOU the right to tell someone else how to raise their children.  Stick to raising your own children and MYOB

Answer 11

none of it is illegal shes home

Answer 12

sounds like a tough situation for your sister inlaw. if youre so concerned, help her. maybe she could pay you a little bit for it. what are your options if you care about this child so much? report her to department of social services so his life can be that much harder? at least she's working. it's too bad that family doesn't help each other out more.

edit -

big deal. i have three kids, one of which has special needs. i also helped care for my sister who was a quadrepeligic until she passed away. you do what you have to do -

Answer 13

Well, you don't say how long she is sleeping, but it seems to me that most seven year olds will be fine for four to six hours. It's too bad, but she does have to work, and it seems that no one is willing to help her out. It also seems this has been going on for some time and nothing horrible has happened.

Why would he leave the house? Why would he use the stove?  That's just a bunch of what ifs. i have a six year old who's nearly seven and would never dream of using the stove, he KNOWS it is dangerous. He wouldn't leave the house without asking me first. Perhaps your kids are younger and you can't fathom the abilities of an older child?

Answer 14

If you're so concerned then why don't you offer to babysit? So what if you have 2 kids and are caring for your dad? Her son sounds like a pretty independent 7 year old who wouldn't cause you a problem. I mean, honestly she is raising him on her own and the bills aren't going to pay themselves, what is she supposed to do? I'm a single mom too and I pray I won't ever be in her shoes- I'm lucky that I have a supportive family who would help me out in a bind like that. It sounds like she needs some help. You can either step up to the plate and help or mind your own business. Besides, she knows her son better than you do and while it doesn't sound like the ideal situation, it's working for them.

Answer 15

Can you help her at all?

At 7 years old, this boy should be able to do some things for himself. If he leaves the house, do they have a backyard? Is it gated? She could always sleep in the living room when he's awake.

At 7 he should know NOT to touch the stove, or go into the street.

My daughter is 7 and autistic, and there are no safety issues if I decide to take a nap.

Answer 16

You stated she is your sister-in-law...which means she is married to your brother...were is he during this time?  Just wondering because is she is working nights, then he could be watching his son while she sleeps.