Mother who forgot baby in car wants changes made to car seats

[chag]

Very good points, all of them. H you're absolutely right, to say this never happened when my mom cared for me is a whole different set of circumstances entirely. Great points ladies. And Kattykay I'm so glad no one was hurt GZ I agree totally

[Blondee178]

Originally Posted by habanerita

There is no IQ test for being a parent, there is no training, nor a pass or don't pass test before you can conceive. Some women are extraordinary mothers, some are run of the mill mothers and some are pretty lousy mothers.................this has been the same for all past generations and will be for all future generations. Harm to children from parents, intentionally or non-intenionally has taken place through all generations. It was never in the media like it is today. As for 10 years ago this not happening as much.............I do not have the facts, but I do know that 10 years ago, the demands on single mothers, divorced mothers, working mothers may not have been as mind boggling as they are today. Just getting from point A to point B in any urban location in this country with kids to deliver prior to reaching your workplace is a challenge. I babysit my grandchildren constantly, and, I am in constant awe of the amount of work my daughters have. Looking at the past and saying, this is a new phenomenom, and this would not happen to mothers years ago is not fair nor true. If you put a poorly equipped mom or dad, and especially one with a poor support system in a dangerously stressful situation, regarding of this happening now or 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.......BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO THEIR KIDS........The death of children from accidents while in the care of the parents has been huge in this country for many, many, many years..... If any mechanical system can be used to aid in helping to keep any kid alive, it should be encouraged. It is easy to dismiss something as awful as the death of this child, by thinking that it can only happen to irresponsible parents..........but, think again...........even the bestest of moms and dads can make huge mistakes ........

Not only do I agree but can relate to a lot of what you said.

[helpchow]

This story is extremely sad and my condolescenses go to the family. However, I don't think that the car manufacturer should be required to have in place alarm systems. The costs of these alarm systems will inevitably be placed on all future buyers. However, there should be an option for parents or pet owners who wish to purchase certain alarms, but I don't think manufacturers should be required to include these alarms on all cars. That would be wholly unfair, especially for people like myself who don't have children nor want them, to be forced to pay for this when it's ultimately the parents responsibility to monitor and keep track of their children. Therefore, the brunt of the payment should be borne by them.

[nataliam1976]

I have just read the thread about the teen with IQ 47 sentenced to 100 years in prison and I am shocked by the lack of compassion/balance in some posts there. I must admit that I dont see many parents being able to accept that an adult and normally functioning in society caretaker wont get punishment for accidentally killing their child if apparently 100 years in prison is ok for a teen who does not even realize he is actually harming another human being.

Blondee, thanks for posting that article. I think either everyone who causes accidental death of a child should be punished or nobody, family or not.

[DamierLover]

Back up cameras and alerts are optional items on vechicles. We were not required to buy them for our SUV and truck. We made that decision to be extra safety concious and paid the extra. I will never drive vechicles without them ever again. Safety features on most cars are not a given. Not all cars or SUV's are created equal. We go with the most safety features we can get. You never know when your going to come upon a drunk driver or somebody who has a vechicle going out of control due to weather systems such as snow or ice. Safety first. If somebody wants to pay more for a car seat that has special safety features above and beyond the norm, than go for it.

[chag]

Originally Posted by nataliam1976

I have just read the thread about the teen with IQ 47 sentenced to 100 years in prison and I am shocked by the lack of compassion/balance in some posts there. I must admit that I dont see many parents being able to accept that an adult and normally functioning in society caretaker wont get punishment for accidentally killing their child if apparently 100 years in prison is ok for a teen who does not even realize he is actually harming another human being. Blondee, thanks for posting that article. I think either everyone who causes accidental death of a child should be punished or nobody, family or not.

Unfortunately the boy is in Texas, it's a wonder he didn't get the electric chair with the system there. He didn't deserve 100 years

[nataliam1976]

Originally Posted by chag

Unfortunately the boy is in Texas, it's a wonder he didn't get the electric chair with the system there. He didn't deserve 100 years

I need to read up more on Texas system, I wasnt aware how horrible it seems to be

[ocgirl]

Originally Posted by habanerita

There is no IQ test for being a parent, there is no training, nor a pass or don't pass test before you can conceive. Some women are extraordinary mothers, some are run of the mill mothers and some are pretty lousy mothers.................this has been the same for all past generations and will be for all future generations. Harm to children from parents, intentionally or non-intenionally has taken place through all generations. It was never in the media like it is today. As for 10 years ago this not happening as much.............I do not have the facts, but I do know that 10 years ago, the demands on single mothers, divorced mothers, working mothers may not have been as mind boggling as they are today. Just getting from point A to point B in any urban location in this country with kids to deliver prior to reaching your workplace is a challenge. I babysit my grandchildren constantly, and, I am in constant awe of the amount of work my daughters have. Looking at the past and saying, this is a new phenomenom, and this would not happen to mothers years ago is not fair nor true. If you put a poorly equipped mom or dad, and especially one with a poor support system in a dangerously stressful situation, regarding of this happening now or 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.......BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO THEIR KIDS........The death of children from accidents while in the care of the parents has been huge in this country for many, many, many years..... If any mechanical system can be used to aid in helping to keep any kid alive, it should be encouraged. It is easy to dismiss something as awful as the death of this child, by thinking that it can only happen to irresponsible parents..........but, think again...........even the bestest of moms and dads can make huge mistakes ........

GREAT post!

[kroquet]

Originally Posted by nataliam1976

I need to read up more on Texas system, I wasnt aware how horrible it seems to be

I hate these stories that come out of Texas. It makes our whole state look bad and we are not all horrible people.

[nataliam1976]

Originally Posted by kroquet

I hate these stories that come out of Texas. It makes our whole state look bad and we are not all horrible people.

Well, I have a lovely coworker from Texas, so you dont have to convince me!

[bagaholic85]

Originally Posted by kroquet

I hate these stories that come out of Texas. It makes our whole state look bad and we are not all horrible people.

if it helps, this new yorker rolled her eyes at chang's response.

[kroquet]

Thanks!! It was just like that story where those idiots shot the people that weren't even trespassing! We are not all crazy!!

[chag]

Originally Posted by bagaholic85

if it helps, this new yorker rolled her eyes at chang's response.

It's chag and I was born and raised in Texas

[sweetneet]

Originally Posted by Roo

I actually got a little angry when I read the article, bella. The reason is that if there are alarms placed on car seats and they don't work right, then the parent gets to sue the alarm company for negligence if their child dies. It totally removes the responsibility for remembering your child is in the car from the parent.

i totally agree, Roo. I think the problem with the sensor thing is that more parents would rely on it. And If a parent doesn't use it or set it up correctly (or it malfunctions), it could do more harm than good, because then parents get a false sense of security.

i find the fact that every year more kids are dying after being accidentally left in cars is a disturbing trend. i don't think it's a sign that "this can happen to anyone"' or "life is so hard these days", i think it's just a sign that people in general are starting to become more careless with their children, because they consume themselves with other things.

[sweetneet]

Originally Posted by HauteMama

I totally agree that with carseat alarms there would be ridiculous lawsuits that totally removed responsibility from where it belongs - on the parent. These cases just infuriate me. You can bet these people would never forget their bag or their work presentation in the car. I do NOT agree that this can happen to anyone; it DOESN'T happen to the majority of people because their children are their priorities. Negligent homicide still results in death, and I think these parents need to face prosecution for what they have done. Community service, perhaps, instead of incarceration, but they need to face the criminal justice system in some way. If a daycare driver forgets a child in a vehicle and it results in death or injury they can be charged; why not the parent? Are we treating the children as property, so when the daycare driver does it it is loss of property but when the parent does it there are no charges to be faced because "no one else" was affected (as the child, obviously, doesn't count)?

excellent points.

and that is so true about the babysitter thing. if a babysitter , nanny or teacher forgot a child in a car and the child died, i'm sure they'd serve the max prison term and be chastised by everyone. but of course, when a parent does it, it somehow magically becomes excusable and everyone feels nothing but compassion for them. i don't get that.

there was another case where a schoolteacher forgot her 2 yearold daughter in a car for the whole day and the the child died. the teacher claimed that she was stressed because she was rushing to a morning meeting that day, and so she forgot to drop her daughter off at daycare. however, that morning she did manage to drop by the donut shop and buy donuts for the meeting (and no she didnt' forget the donuts in the car), but she forgot her kid. i don't know, seems like lack of priorities to me.