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AIBU?

to wonder why on the back of the madeline McGann 'incident' places like butlins still ofer a baby sitting service....

66 replies

LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 13:54

So parents can leave thier children in thier apartments and go out for the evening?!

I am only asking this because I have been watching the cinema thread about MM and this though cropped up.

we are staying at Butlins in Sept and I was told about this service by an aunt.

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CodHun · 02/07/2007 13:55

sorry to correct btu mcCann

not sure she belonged toa legendary acting dynasty

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zubb · 02/07/2007 13:55

because people still want to use it.

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Enid · 02/07/2007 13:56

baby sitting?

whats wrong with baby sitting?

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 13:56

Thank you Cod!

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alicet · 02/07/2007 13:57

Whats wrong with wanting to use a babysitting service to look after your child? Haven't thought about whether I'd use it or not but there is obviously a market for it! Isn't it being a responsible parent to make sure your child is being looked after while you go out?

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 13:57

Because it's not actually sittng in the room with the shild, but walking round responding to monitors.....

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zubb · 02/07/2007 13:57

lol enid - yes, why would anyone want to go out at all??!

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 13:57

'child'

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FlossALump · 02/07/2007 13:58

I thought that Madeleine wasn't being 'babysat'. I wouldn't be keen. But other people still might be.

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alicet · 02/07/2007 13:59

cross posted....

I think you have to leave it up to individual parents to make decisions about what they are happy with in this situation.

Why - are you saying it was the McCann's fault for leaving their daughter? Sure they think this every day but I know several people who have since admitted that they have either done the same or would have happily done the same in the past.

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mytwopenceworth · 02/07/2007 13:59

because the point is they weren't using it. It was offered, but they said no. So that really has got nothing to do with how useful the service may or may not be.

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ArtichokeTagine · 02/07/2007 13:59

because the McCann's weren't using such a service so the "incident" has no bearing on whether it is safe.

because what happened was a 1 in a million tradgedy and you can't live in fear foreverything that might happen.

because you are more likely to lose your child in a playground accident at butlins than have it kidnapped...

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howdydoody · 02/07/2007 13:59

Because people will still want to go out, so at least them offering a service is better than nothing at all

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CodHun · 02/07/2007 13:59

doon think the mcGanns were involved

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edam · 02/07/2007 13:59

Floss is right, Madeleine wasn't being babysat. So case has little relevance to babysitting services.

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mytwopenceworth · 02/07/2007 14:01

Oh, my post was to answer OP, btw, not in reply to other responses, in case of confusion!!

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 14:01

Butlins 'babysitting' service is just staff walking round the camp accomodation responding to monitors wherre parents have infomraed them a child has been left alone.

Call me eccentric, but every child has a right to call out in the night and get responded to by thier parent, grandparent or someone else they know.....

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MatNanPlus · 02/07/2007 14:01

A couple of differences:

[a]my understanding is room/chalet doors are locked, sitter has master key.

[b]Monitors are being used.

Neither happened with Maddie sadly.

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lionheart · 02/07/2007 14:01

Sounds more like baby listening ...

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meandmyflyingmachine · 02/07/2007 14:02

But LFM, that has bugger all to do with the McCann case. Persumably you had those opinions before that?

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howdydoody · 02/07/2007 14:07

also if the service is offered, people decline offer and leave kids alone and something happens, then Butlins are covered in case of any claim i would think

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 14:11

Yes I did have this opinion before the case and I realise the likenesses are weak.

But I would still not go on a family holdiday to leave my children unattended. If it is late and they are tired and we are hungry we go home and one of us goes out to get dinner and eat in.

However, I did think the McCanns apartment was locked and the abducters broke in by forcing metal shutters - no key required.

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meandmyflyingmachine · 02/07/2007 14:13

In that case this is just a re-hashing of threads ad nauseam and not a discussion about babysitting/listening services and whether or not the McCann case has affected their provision...

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 14:14

And I would like to add that this thread does not mean I am not extremely sympathetic to the McCanns, or that in any way do I think they are to blam for what happened and I wish with all my heart that they find thier little girl alive and well.

I am just saying that thier case has highlighted concerns I have and that given what happened to the McCanns I am surprised that corporations like Butlins are still providing service which would encourage to parents to leave leave children unattended.

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LowFatMilkshake · 02/07/2007 14:15

No MAMFM it is not a rehash

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