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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this isn't neglect?

267 replies

twentytimes · 21/03/2019 15:23

3 children aged 11,5 and 4. Eldest is sometimes left alone with the little two for several hours and is on her own once a week from after school until midnight. 4 and 5 year olds have on a few occasions been left alone for up to half an hour. They have mums number and know how/who to contact if something goes wrong, nothing ever has though.

Little two are never put to bed because they don't want to. Most nights they eventually fall asleep on the sofa whilst watching tv and are either left there or carried up to bed. They're allowed to watch whatever they want, 5 year old is easily scared so doesn't but both the 4 and 11 year olds will watch adult rated films or tv programmes.

They do what they like with their appearance as long as they aren't in school or it doesn't break school rules and are overall just given a lot more trust and freedom than most children their ages. They aren't spoilt with material things and are told no but if they want to go somewhere or start a new club for example they are almost always allowed. They don't have many rules at home but are expected to follow other peoples rules and are disciplined if they break them or are rude

They are all very happy and confident children, very polite and not badly behaved. Their Mum really loves and supports them. None of them complain or are upset by any of the things I mentioned, if they ever were then Mum would change her parenting.

I know this probably isn't the best example of parenting and If I ever have children I wouldn't do the exact same but AIBU to think its just a different parenting style rather than neglect and that I don't have a moral obligation to report any of this?

OP posts:
wittyusermane · 21/03/2019 15:54

Jesus wept! What you describe is 100%, categorically, neglect.

Poor children.

commentson · 21/03/2019 15:54

If the 11 year old is left alone from after school until midnight, what food do they eat?

MyBreadIsEggy · 21/03/2019 15:55

twenty Did your mum have a habit of leaving you home alone when you were that age too?

Skittlesss · 21/03/2019 15:56

You need to speak to this so-called mother and the absent father and tell them to pull their acts together.

I’d rather a family on benefits than one who abandons their children in this manner. 4 and 5 yrs old and left alone - anything could happen. It’s a ticking time bomb and it must stop NOW.

gamerwidow · 21/03/2019 15:56

I think when it’s family especially your own parents then it is sometimes very hard to see if something is ok or not. Especially when that person whose behaviour you’re questioning is someone you are supposed to trust. You are right to be worried though.

commentson · 21/03/2019 15:56

Letting children express themselves through what the wear is great, but doesn’t compensate for everything else such as putting them to bed! I’ve read this post over and over and have so many questions....

GlitteryFluff · 21/03/2019 15:57

Definitely neglect. Totally unacceptable.
I can see you're in a tough situation because it's your mum but also those kids(your siblings) need someone to speak for them.
Have you tried talking to your mum?
Though if you talk to her about and she doesn't change and then you report it's obvious it's you.. Thanks

Nicknacky · 21/03/2019 15:57

So having read the replies, can you now see this isn’t acceptable?

Skittlesss · 21/03/2019 15:58

Aww twenty, I’ve just seen your update and I feel for you. This isn’t right though. I don’t know how you can help them change.

I was hoping it was either you (a reverse) or someone on your street. The closeness makes it harder, but it doesn’t make it right or ok.

GruciusMalfoy · 21/03/2019 15:58

OP, were you raised in the same way? If so, I would sort of get why you're doubting yourself. This is absolutely neglect. 4 and 5 year olds should never be home alone, an 11 year old is too young to care for them, and an 11 year old shouldn't be home alone until midnight. The lack of bedtime is a red flag. As is the lack of parental control over TV. Your siblings deserve a better structured household.

FrancisCrawford · 21/03/2019 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oh4forkssake · 21/03/2019 16:00

That is neglect. And I say that as a parent of a 5 & 6 year old. No way would I leave them like that.

Poor wee things.

formerbabe · 21/03/2019 16:00

Most of what you describe is on the fringes of acceptable parenting. Leaving the older dc in charge of the younger ones is definitely unacceptable and neglectful though.

FrancisCrawford · 21/03/2019 16:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QforCucumber · 21/03/2019 16:01

a 4 year old girl choked and died in her mothers arms locally to me last month. In the care of her parent. Christ, the things these kids could do with no parent around for over 30 mins!

FilthyforFirth · 21/03/2019 16:02

Total neglect. Your poor siblings. Would you have wanted someone to help you at that age? They need you I'm afraid. Report annoymously. Do you live close by?

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 21/03/2019 16:02

4 and 5 yr old left alone: neglect
11 yr old alone til midnight: neglect (where are the others til 12??)
Access to adult tv so potentially sex and violence: neglect

No bedtime: not ideal but whatever
Appearance issues: fine
No rules at home: fine at they adhere to rules in other places

stayathomer · 21/03/2019 16:02

Can you talk to your mum OP?

commentson · 21/03/2019 16:02

**Its a small village with only one close neighbours who are trusted and the kids could go to, outside of those neighbours the property is very secure.
I think they have mostly only been left for a few minutes but has been nealry half an hour once or twice.

I am more shocked than I was at OP. WTH. So this little kid who is 11 years old is left ALONE UNTIL MIDNIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!!! What if there was a fire, intruder, accident! THIS IS DISGRACEFUL.

ILoveMaxiBondi · 21/03/2019 16:03

It’s really shit parenting.

AryaStarkWolf · 21/03/2019 16:03

yes it is absolutely neglect

Ginger1982 · 21/03/2019 16:04

Terrible parenting.

Thatsnotmyotter · 21/03/2019 16:05

Leaving an 11 year old to care for a 4 and 5 year old, or leaving a 4 and 5 year old for any length of time (other than perhaps to poo next door or something) sounds neglectful to me. And I say this as someone who considers themself to be a fairly relaxed parent. I think alllowing children to watch adult content is potentially very questionable too. The rest of the stuff is more to do with parenting style and whilst I personally wouldn’t want my kid falling asleep in front of the tv regularly for example, I can’t get worked up about it.

BarbarianMum · 21/03/2019 16:05

Leaving a 4 and 5 year alone at home for up to an hpur is totally neglectful and you must have something worryingly wrong with your parenting compass if you can't see that OP

The rest is just shit parenting. Love is not enough.

Gitfeatures · 21/03/2019 16:05

It's neglect. Where you raised in a similar way? That would explain why you are struggling to recognise it for what it is.

Do you have a relationship with your mother/siblings?

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