Madeline Mccann

[Barsel]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but I really thought this would have ended by now. Your thoughts please?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41197076

[ummmm]

And that's why I asked you, Minty, how many holidays you've taken with little ones. The question is relevant.

[Sqad]

"I've left my child alone in a hotel room in the evening to go and have a drink, food or quick late-night swim. I did exactly what the McCanns did and checked on him every half hour. I don't consider myself a neglectful parent."

Agreed...that is because nothing tragic happened to your child, but if it had and it had come to harm, then would you still consider yourself as a responsible parent?

[murraymints]

It would never have entered my head to leave a child alone at ANY time..

[ummmm]

Jo...so have many thousands of people.

[murraymints]

as one considerably older than you UMMMM more than quite a few !

[tamborine]

Madeliene is a British citizen and therefore entitled to funds for her search.

[murraymints]

if one wants to holiday freely with no parental responsibility then do so without your children....

[albaqwerty]

oh well, may as well put it out on the net.

I'm a neglectful parent in my own home.
Left 2 year old in play pen, went to kitchen to do kitcheny things, darling child broke free from play-pen, opened front door and went for a toddle.
He had stripped off down to his nappy.

Scared the beejabers out of me.

[murraymints]

public funding is not inexhaustable !

[jackthehat]

If one wants a couple of hours of 'adult-time' when one's children are asleep and one thinks one has arranged a satisfactory solution for achieving this, I don't think it is out of order for one to enjoy this time.

It went tragically wrong but if it hadn't one wouldn't be able to be as loftily judgemental.....would one?

[murraymints]

that's not neglect Albs.. that's a cunning child escaping from what anyone would expect ; a family home with play pens... not a home invasion... you turned your back you did not leave alone in the home...

[ummmm]

Same here Albs. I found my toddler in the front garden.

[murraymints]

satisfactory is leaving 3 tots 3 and under alone in a strange place in a foreign land ? could one set of parents not been designated babysitters on a rota...

[Sqad]

It went tragically wrong but if it hadn't one wouldn't be able to be as loftily judgemental.....would one?

"One" wouldn't , so eliminate that possibility by staying within site of your small children.

[murraymints]

however what has happened has happened and hopefully lessons learned..it's a pity a young innocent had to pay the price !

[Sqad]

"sight" ^^

[albaqwerty]

anyhoo, back to the OP, I have obviously been under the false impression that they had used the hotel's baby-sitting service.

[murraymints]

they chose not to Albs !

[ummmm]

My parents used a hotel babysitting service for us. All it meant was they checked on us every half hour!!

[EcclesCake]

It is admirable to read the expert guidance of the childless on the perfect raising of children.