what do you think?

[kittywoo]

not sure where to post this one! but just wanted to get a genneral idea as to what people think about the awful event in the algarve? i had a awful dream about it last night. i cant help but wonder!!
would you leave your children even for a moment especially at that age?
please dont get me wrong i truly hope they find this poor child, and my thoughts and prayers are with the family and poor madaline. but it struck me as strange how no one has mentioned the fact these three babies were left alone! even for half an hour.
am i beeing overprotective?
but im sure if it happened over here social services would be involved?

again hopes and prayers for madaline to be found safely!
and this horror to be over

xx

[emx384]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question40 2481.html

Have a look at this previous thread kittywoo - lots of thoughts here! I find it hard to believe - although I think lots of us tend to think in a more relaxed way and have a false sense of security when on holiday, especially if relaxed!

[boobesque]

Mr Boobesque said the same emx, but when I asked if he would leave our kids without a sitter or monitor, he said no way!
I hope she is found safe, but sadly the longer she is missing, the harder that is to be believed

[kittywoo]

everyone i have spoken to says the same that it is dreadfull.
and they all hope she is found. they cant belive how a parent could leave 3 children like that. without supervision.and they are doctors for god sake you would think they would have a bit more common sense...
thankyou for your thoughts!

[emx384]

I completely understand what you are saying boobesque - I have trouble understanding it because although I am not a parent - I dont think I would do it, but how can I say when I have never been in that situation??! The fact that the parents are both doctors and therefore the type of people you would consider to be intelligent enough to make informed decisions makes you wonder even more! I hope she is ok, bless her.

[Pippa68]

Academic people often lack common sense, unfortunately..

[lancaster ci]

yeah, me and my husband seem to think it was strange to refuse babysitting services, i personelly couldnt of relaxed especially on holiday knowin g i had left any kids alone, i saw an ariel view of the appartment project and couldnt believe how far away the kids were from ther parents . i too hope madeline is found !!!!

[MustangLady]

I reiterate all being said on this thread. I am not a parent, but if i were i could never leave my children alone in an apartment anywhere in the world. The worse has happened now and i bet they regret ever leaving them alone, unfortunately the clock cannot be turned back - i just hope that this is a lesson learnt and no other parents ever dare leave their children unsupervised. I pray to God that little Madelaine is found safe and well and soon re-united with her parents, but as time goes on i find it harder to believe this will be the case. Can you imagine if this happened in England and the parent was a single mother/father, there would have been an uproar... as it is the papers avoid the subject i believe because the parents were 'well to do' Doctors.

[weas]

I cannot understand any one leaving these three tots alone! not for 5 mins , i for one could not eat in peace , but why do we feel the need to take such small children abroad , i have two grown girls , i now travel alot ,i am always struck by the great perfomance of babies being loaded on to aircraft to suffer the great heat on arrival.
alas my prayers are with the family and there dear daugther

[dove]

I agree kittywoo that little maddy is found, and my prayers are with the family.
However, if it had been a single parent leaving their children for half an hour I believe that the papers would have come down on them like a ton of bricks. Because these parents are 'married and have respectful jobs' it is a different kettle of fish.

[Reverandfunk]

The parents ought to be locked up. Tragic as the whole episode is they left 3 young children unattended EVERY night of the holiday checking on them every half hour or so. Would you dream of going to the shops for ten minutes and leaving your children unattended? NO. Why go on holiday with 3 very young children if you want to sit round the pool eating with friends at night?

So a nonce is in the complex during the day, spies the kids and parents during the day, sees that on a night the kids are unattended, half hour to break into the room. Terrible but completely avoidable.

[Lolliemma]

I hope she is found soon. Its terrible what has happened but I agree with everyone who has posted I would never ever leave my kids anywhere for any amount of time alone! I am amazed that no one has mentioned this or asked what the hell where you thinking. I hope that when she is found the parents are asked some serious questions about why they left them alone. If it was a single mum or someone that wasnt in such a great position job wise it would all over the papers what bad parents they were! I was totally gobsmacked when I first read about it.
I do hope they find that little sweet heart soon its her birthday tomorrow it should be a time of celebration lets hope they find her soon shes in my prayers!

[Crystal Ball]

U're made to feel like a bad person for even thinking these things of that little girl's parents, but a lot of people do. If you wouldn't do it at home then stands to reason you prob shouldn't do it there. Bit naive to think it would be ok coz it's the Algarve. I'm not a parent, but if you are don't you have to change your holiday arrangements accordingly? ie you can't go out...? Hope they find her & she's ok.

[kittywoo]

yes i would never leave my daughter. and id never take a holiday where she couldnt be included in everything!
maybe if they were after a break, a short city break without the kids? leave them with grandparents?

thanks all im glad im not alone i feel bad about saying it especially when they are already probably thinking the same!
but as some have said if it happened over here or they were not professionals it would be all over the papers what bad parents they were!
hopes and prayers for maddie
may she be safe!

[Kgrayz]

I am a parent with two children, I wont even leave them in the car alone whilst I pay for my petrol at the petrol station, It takes seconds for things like this to happen, and years and years of regret.

[georgia19]

I do agree, children should not be left alone however i do feel that these parents felt that they were in a safe family friendly environment. Probably felt more safe abroad than in their own country. The parents have had a lot of criticism with regards to leaving the children alone. Its obviously the worst mistake of their lives and one that we all need to open our eyes to. Nowhere is safe even our own homes and schools. My parents took risks when i was a child as im sure did other parents. No you are not overprotective its just a very cruel world that we live in. I hope that if their is a god out there he will answer all our prayers.