To sit and stare at my neighbours house just incase something happens?

[Gatorade]

Firstly, I know it's none of my business but this worries me.

I was chatting to my neighbour yeaterday as she was heading off out for a run. She mentioned her 2 year old DS was asleep inside the house (alone). I gently queried how often she left him, to which she replied for half an hour every week day while she runs, as he sleeps reliably and doesn't wake up. I must have made an 'eeek' face as she then (very nicely) explained that mum knows best. I even offered to pop around and sit with my DD in the house while she runs but she thought I was being neurotic.

So AIBU to sit and stare at the house while she runs to check smoke doesn't start poring out?! Or maybe even sit in the garden incase the poor little mite wakes up screaming (although not sure what I could do about that....)

Oh my days, that's not good is it?

How bloody irresponsible. Call to SS? And immediate fall-out with neighbour ...

That is not ok at all, call ss

It is feckless and arrogant of her to assume that nothing will happen 'to her'. Irrespective of whether her dc wakes...she could get run over or have a heart attack.

in fact....can you rope someone else in to follow her just incase while you monitor the house?

I think you are right, I would never forgive myself if something happened to him.

Side question, are SS anonymous? (not that it matters, they are moving in July) and what would they do about it?

I'd ring SS I'm afraid. Your staring at the house won't help if he's choking in his cot, or breathing in smoke from a fire that's not yet visible from the front, will it?
What an idiot! (Her, not you OP)

Wow
That's scary! I'm not surprised you "made an eeek face". Very irresponsible of her IMO.

Bloody hell, half an hour? A two year old is mobile. Where exactly is he when she's going out on these runs? In a cot? He'll soon learn to climb out and get into all kinds of trouble. She'll have to chain him to a chair leg then Call the SS.

Bloody hell, if she thinks that's ok, I am worried about what else she thinks she knows best. It is not legal to leave a child that age alone. I feel for you being in this position; something has to be done, and I'm glad it's not me that has to do it.

I cant help but think of Madeline McGann when I hear of things like this.

when i read the thread title i thought you were just watching because you were bored... and i was about to say 'go for it', 'watch them all night if you like'...

but she leaves the toddler for half an hour? wrong! so wrong. social services.

A phone call to SS first thing in the morning is deffo needed!!

Like you said you wouldn't forgive yourself if anything happened and you hadn't done anything.

It's neglect and I wonder what else SS will find when they investigate???

What if he wakes up and is terrified by being alone? Poor little soul

I think if you are going to call ss, it would be fair to warn her so she cn stop doing it, she will more than likely know it was you anyway.

hiddenhome yep he is in his cot, hadn't even thought a out the 'escape artist' risks. Ooo, she has put me in a very uncomfortable position, I am worried sick about him now. How quick would SS act?

Yup call either SS or 101 non emergency police when she next does it.

You got a point ducky poor OP what an awful position to be in.

That could be an awkward conversation duckypoohs, she knows I think it's not right

Maybe u cood approach her againg and express u concerns with examples if she gets ratty then I'd ring ss otherwise wat happens when she moves and carrys on u wouldn't want to hear of something bad happening to the dc and feel like its on ur shoulders x

If you warn her, she'll only stop doing it until she moves, then she'll start again and just not tell the new neighbours.

Next time you see her maybe mention tgat you are so anxious about this that you watch her house each evening and that you have better things to do so maybe she needs to arrange childcare for this. Or ask if shed ever thought of getting a running buggy so she could take her ds with her?

Leave her in no uncertain doubt that you think this is wrong. if she still continues, ss is the next port of call.

If you call 101 when she leaves him, they'll attend and give her a right rollicking and hope she doesn't do it again. SS will be informed by police. Also then if things get nasty you have a log.

What would SS do does anyone know? Will they just give her a warning?

I agree not much good will come from you staring at their house, though I probably would too. Definitely agree SS. It will ruin your relationship with your neighbour but safety for children should be priority.

SS are al over stretched that it'll be logged and eventually followed up. You contact olive and they would attend. Of you saw a baby locked in car at night for half hour you'd call the police wouldn't you? What's the difference?