Caring for an infant is never a walk in the park, and parents sometimes need a break. However, raising a child this young comes with responsibilities you can't put on hold.
That means stepping out of the house, no matter how long, requires having an adult caregiver around to keep an eye on the baby. This mom, however, thought it would be fine to leave her 9-month-old home alone while she went out for the night.
One of her friends was shocked to hear what she did and immediately took action.
Raising an infant requires round-the-clock attention
This mom, however, thought it would be fine to leave her 9-month-old baby home alone as she went out for dinner
One of her friends was shocked and considered calling Child Protective Services
The author later added more information and confirmed that CPS would be involved
An infant child can still be at risk of danger even while asleep
The mom likely thought leaving her infant unattended was fine because the baby was asleep. She may not have realized the inherent dangers the child still faced.
According to pediatric nurse Katherine Ehrhardt, the crib itself can be hazardous.
“While we always want to provide comfort to our infant patients, items such as blankets, toys, and stuffed animals in the sleeping environment can put babies at risk,” she said.
The author’s mention of CPS (Child Protective Services) implies that the story took place in the United States. And according to federal law, a parent is liable for child neglect if they fail to meet the physical and emotional needs of a child under 18.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines neglect as abandoning a child’s need for “housing, food, clothing, education, access to medical care, and having feelings validated and appropriately responded to.”
According to the American Psychological Association, neglected children are not only prone to frequent injuries, but they may also be at risk of learning and behavior problems, depression, and fear of certain adults and places.
It is also why the APA encourages reporting suspected cases of neglect, as it can save the child’s life from potential repercussions. In that sense, the author was right to report the incident to CPS. Their friendship with the mom may be strained, but it was the proper thing to do.
Most people sided with the author
