WWJ13D....car seats

SMac85 · September 2014

I take my older son to preschool three times a week. There is a family that started in September with a son DS1's age and a daughter DS2's age. We drop off around the same time, and twice I have seen them drive away with the younger daughter on the grandmothers lap. No car seat. I have mentioned it to the preschool teacher and she told me there is nothing she can do (even though I thought as a teacher she had a duty to report.). I didn't say anything to the parents yet because the first time I was not 100% sure I was seeing things correctly. This morning I know that the young baby was not in a car seat. I had a clear view of them driving away. I am not one to cause drama but this is a huge safety concern. What would you do in this situation?

[Deleted User] · September 2014

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SMac85 · September 2014

It's bothers me too. I know I need to do something, I just don't know how to go about it in the correct way.

SMac85 · September 2014

Thanks @byjove03. I really don't know the family that well. I thought I saw a car seat in the car the first time it happened, but I can't be certain. It is a small preschool. My son has two teachers and the one I spoke to is the owner/director of the centre as well.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

Out of curiosity, where in the car was the grandma sitting with the baby?

SMac85 · September 2014

@PickleX she was sitting behind the driver. They have a van so they were in the middle row.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

Since the family is not motivated by safety issues, you could tell the mother how much the fine for that is.

I don't know what I would do, though. I usually like to stay out of things.

SMac85 · September 2014

I usually like to stay out of things too, but this isn't sitting with me very well. Thanks for all of your advice! I will mention it again to the teacher/owner today. Maybe together we can come up with a way to talk to the parent without being confrontational about it.

SMac85 · September 2014

Thanks @missymr, I am wondering if it is a knowledge thing, and maybe they really don't know. I also don't know if the 3 year old has a car seat or not. I've only seen them drive with the baby after dropping off the son.

kaylakim · September 2014

That teacher/owner should be a mandated reporter. In any childcare setting, at least in ND, ALL employees are mandated reporters. At a daycarei used to be the director at, I had to call in a report several times for parents not using car seats properly or at all.

If it were me, I would definitely speak to the owner again and if she refuses to call anyone, I would do it myself. This situation sucks but I wouldn't be able to let it go. Goodluck

mrshudson618 · September 2014

I hate these kind of situations. My gut reaction would be to not do anything, but if anything happened to that baby I would feel totally responsible. I hope there is a way you can work it out with the center so you don't have to feel you are overstepping.

SMac85 · September 2014

Yes I am in Ontario @missymr. Thanks for looking up that info for me. I just picked up my son and saw that they do have a bucket seat in the car but again they didn't use it. The 3 year old doesn't have a car seat at all, and didn't even look like they had a seat belt on. The teacher was busy with a parent so I am going to call her once the boys go down for a nap and talk about it.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

I'd call the cops.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

Oh, and I really like your new picture. It's really good!

SMac85 · September 2014

Thank you @haddocky. Would you call the cops before speaking with the parent?

[Deleted User] · September 2014

SMac85 said:

Thank you @haddocky. Would you call the cops before speaking with the parent?

Yep

I sure would. They have to know the rules... I mean right??? Who doesn't know the rules especially ones that can lead to a ticket?

SMac85 · September 2014

Ok thanks so much for your advice!

[Deleted User] · September 2014

If they don't have the money for seats, are there organizations you could get in touch with that they could call?

PrimRoseMama · September 2014

It's illegal here. I'd report them.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

LadyBlue07 said:
I would call the police. Maybe I'm cold hearted, but they can afford preschool but not a car seat?

Good point!

Kitten80 · September 2014

The teacher should be a mandated reporter. As a mandated reporter, I can get in serious trouble for failure to report

I would talk to the teacher one more time,but it sounds like you need to report it. You can do so anonymously. If they live close and don't want to use car seats, they should walk. I wouldn't say anything to them since you don't know them well - likely it wouldn't help and they would then know who most likely called on them. Gl!

martyn17 · September 2014

I work in international health, and I have a few colleagues who came to the US from overseas and legitimately didn't know the rules. I would feel uncomfortable calling the police without talking to the parents first.
This would be going above and beyond, but I'd print out the specific rules and Google to see if there are any organizations that help get car seats to those in need. I would bring that info to the preschool and tell them you feel that it is their duty as a mandated reporter to talk to the famuly. I would also nonchalantly tell the family that they could get a significant fine if they are pulled over with the child in their lap and you hope they can find an extra car seat very soon so nothing happens.
If after all this, you still see the little girl without a car seat, I think you could call the police.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

maryannespier said:
But the important question is, does the car have air conditioning?

I would call the cops. I don't think that's overreacting in this situation.

I bet it does because everyone but MGP's car has AC

Kitten80 · September 2014

I also like @martyn17's idea of taking that info to the. school. the school giving it to them. I just wouldn't be comfortable being the one handing it to them.

[Deleted User] · September 2014

I just wouldn't want to piss off the teachers in fear that they'd take it out on my child. You already said something once and they weren't willing to do anything, shame on them. Maybe mail it to them with no return address.

SMac85 · September 2014

I have a really good relationship with the teachers, so I'm very disappointed with them about this. It's looking like I am going to have to report it myself. Thanks again for all of the advice.

Unknown · September 2014

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LauraB1016 · September 2014

The teachers and directors are definitely mandated reporters. I would say if you speak with the school again and they don't do anything about it and/or seem unresponsive then you could call the cops or Canada's verision of protective services. In the states, when you phone into protective services you can rename nameless. Which is probably what I would do so it wouldn't get back to the family........but I am a mandated reporter so I am not as lucky!

[Deleted User] · September 2014

MrsGiantPenis said:

haddocky said:

maryannespier said:
But the important question is, does the car have air conditioning?

I would call the cops. I don't think that's overreacting in this situation.
I bet it does because everyone but MGP's car has AC
Hey woah. The Mrs. has AC. The Mr. Is frugal and crazy and doesn't understand the joy of cool air. He also doesn't share the joy of powered windows and locks. The Mr is crazy.

What car even has or doesn't have those things? Does he drive a cozy coupe?

martyn17 · September 2014

@picklex lol

Unknown · September 2014

This content has been removed.

Kitten80 · September 2014

We just got rid of my Cavalier (because the air went out and Mr. Didn't like that). It was manual windows and locks. I had a remote start on that car though.

SMac85 · September 2014

I reported it this afternoon. I was told that the preschool definitely should've stepped in, just as I thought. I'm disappointed in the whole situation.

beckyanddon · September 2014

I'm a mandated reporter and would take the license plate and call myself

beckyanddon · September 2014

You could also call the cops!!!! This lights me up! Seriously

theuntaggablek · September 2014

MrsGiantPenis said:

haddocky said:

maryannespier said:
But the important question is, does the car have air conditioning?

I would call the cops. I don't think that's overreacting in this situation.
I bet it does because everyone but MGP's car has AC
Hey woah. The Mrs. has AC. The Mr. Is frugal and crazy and doesn't understand the joy of cool air. He also doesn't share the joy of powered windows and locks. The Mr is crazy.

For the record, Mr. Untaggable also lacks AC. And he sweats like a pro athlete. (I was about to say pig, but they don't sweat.)

coco2787 · September 2014

SMac85 said:
I reported it this afternoon. I was told that the preschool definitely should've stepped in, just as I thought. I'm disappointed in the whole situation.

Nice job! But booo on the school [-X

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