ladybirder - // The rest of their party did the same, each taking it in turns to check on the others. Unfortunately when it was Gerry's turn to check he did not actually push open the children's bedroom door. He could see the twins were there but Maddie's bed was behind the door. All was quiet so he assumed all was well. If he had looked they would have known she was missing one hour earlier. //
If the McCanns and friends had followed the European model, and simply taken their children with them to the restaurant, this tragedy could have been avoided.
Speaking personally, I did then, and do now, like having my children with me while I eat with them, and when they were too small, we brought pushchairs and the children went to sleep in them, and we could enjoy ourselves knowing they were safe.
I could no more leave my children asleep and take turns to 'check on them' and eat a meal, than fly to the moon.
I am not being judgemental, simply underlining again that our approach with our children was singularly 'European' forty years ago - British parents seemed to feel they could only 'relax' if their children were not with them.