Shit-For-Brains Parents: what to do?

[HairOfTheDog]

These courses focus on how to never leave your child alone with anyone other than a family member

That's bullshit & I would never support anything like that.

I rethought this statement last night after posting. I was the on-call designated driver and jacked up on coffee. I agree that this statement is STUPID Certainly there are people who you know you can trust alone with your child and who aren't your family. And, conversely, I agree with Cracker, that sometimes you can't trust everyone in your family alone with your child.

I still think it's possible to do something that might help. I am talking about cases where complete ignorance led to the harm of a child, not drugged out parents and monsters who could care less about their children. When it comes to with whom you trust your children alone, perhaps it might help to at least talk to new mothers/families about how to be cautious and check out new love interests and friends, the boy scout leader or pastor who is anxious to mentor your son and wants to take him on camping trips alone, the coach who keeps visiting your child at home when parents are at work, etc...

In the example that started this thread, we don't know about the parents, but we can see the suspect is a derelict, at least I can. We know the mom called police when she learned of the assault and pressed charges. So, for the sake or argument, I'm assuming for whatever reason, the parents trusted this man to have their child sleepover and wish they had known better. This story and the one about the raping pediatrician, who must have gotten the parents to leave their children alone with him (but certainly the parents did not expect their children to be raped) set me off. What, if anything, can be done to heighten awareness for dimwitted or overly trusting parents?

I know there are baby books and parenting classes available, but that takes initiative. Sadly, the parents we're targeting don't likely have it. But, if you have a retired LE officers or someone who has worked a lot with crimes against child available at selected hospitals, it might be effective for some families. The children's advocate would have a good chance of getting mom and some of the other people who will be caring for the child together in one place at the hospital. Even those who would normally not make the time to get educated might be talked out of the hospital hallway and into the room. It can't hurt and might help to talk to them about not leaving children alone in the doctor's office, not leaving the child alone in a locked car, the impacts shaking can have a small child's body, what can happen when you let toddlers ride their trikes without parental supervision even on their own blocks, etc...

Right now, we have a reactive system. LE and DCS/CPS get involved after a problem arises. I think there could be merit to at least trying to impact some ignorant new parents before a problem arises. Volunteers can be used and it could be a very low cost program. Officer Bob goes to the elementary schools and talks to classes about inappropriate touching, avoiding rides with strangers, how to call for help, etc... Why not start earlier and at least reach out to mom about inherent dangers to children and how to avoid them? Leave mom with a folder of information containing how to run a free background check, emergency personnel numbers, a list of things "to do" and "not to do" in relation to children's safety...

I'm being optimistic and trying to think of some way that won't burden the existing system but could help prevent more children from being hurt due to total lack of awareness. I don't believe that "nothing can be done" is valid. Nothing can be accomplished if no effort is made, that's true. "You can't fix stupid" is true, but you can minimize ignorance through education.

While it would be most effective to make some kind of child awareness training mandatory imo, I do agree that it's not worth infringing on the family's freedom of choice. The course should instead be recommended and accessible.

I know and understand that some may feel it's useless to explore these types of options and I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. But, did want to respond to feedback and will keep talking to some friends in local government about the viability of a volunteer program and funding options (fully expecting to be shot down, but who knows?).