The backseat is not always the safest place for a child

[primroselane]

Especially when it is in the backseat of a parent's mind.

*********

A 7-month old girl died in Houston from heat exposure after being left in a sport utility vehicle all day.

Police said her father forgot to drop her off at day care before going to work on a day that set record-breaking temperatures in the afternoon.

"He placed her in the car in the morning and drove to work at Rice University," HPD Sgt. Robert Blain said.

In what appears to have been a deviation from the family's schedule, the father was expected to drop the little girl off at Montessori County Day early Friday morning, police said.

The mother had arranged to bring the baby's 4-year-old brother at a different time for a morning swim lesson, police said.

On Friday evening, police said the father left Rice University and drove to the day care in his 2002 Toyota 4-Runner expecting to pick up both his daughter and son when he discovered the dead infant.

The girl was found, still strapped in her rear car seat, when the father returned to the Montessori school about 5:30 p.m.

*********

People always talk about the value of education. They say they want educated children. They have their government to insure that "no child is left behind." They want their children to go on to college. Yet, almost nothing in the education system teaches them how to be parents.

Is the message that profession is more important than parenting? Is there somekind of debate as to how important children should be in their parent's daily lives?

It just fascinates me that society requires that before one can become a member of a profession, one must show a degree of competency in that profession but society believes that becoming a parent is solely a matter of individual choice. Further, to stay in many professions, one must show yearly, that one has acquire additional education, not only in subject matter, but in the ethics and responsibility of the profession.

Doing one's best is not good enough for a profession, a person must meet standards. Naturally, everyone, professionally, or parentally, makes mistakes. But when a professional mistake is made, society insures that some degree of rehabilitation has been made if professional practice is to be continued. It just seems that society is a lot more concerned about avoiding professional errors than parental errors.

[RockyGlen]

Originally Posted by primroselane

Is the message that profession is more important than parenting?

It just seems that society is a lot more concerned about avoiding professional errors than parental errors.

Yes, to both of the above. We have forgotten what is important.

[mamalisa]

y'know, I've ended up driving on autopilot, especially in the am on little sleep. Maybe, since this actually happens fairly often, we might think of practical solutions rather than condemning the parents, who probably feel awful.

I do notice that it happens with a change in routine.

[Christine in OK]

I've seen so many of these threads before, even know of one that happened in Oklahoma City not too long ago.

They always end up in a fight. Some siding with the "protect the child at all costs" group, some fighting for the "right of the parents, terrible mistake, punishment enough" batch.

Myself, I just stay with "there but for the Grace of God go I". I forget stuff all the time, it seems like I run on overload 95% of the time these days. Thank the Lord I've never had to experience such a tragedy.

[RockyGlen]

there are at least two products available now that parents can use if they worry about this. One is some sort of tether strap, another is a car seat with a sensor that knows if the driver gets out of the car. You'd have to google them, I don't remember the names. They also recommend putting something you won't forget - like your purse or briefcase - next to the child, so that when you get that essential item you remember your child.

[primroselane]

Perhaps instead of relegating a child to remote control status, other options placing the child in a more cherished and devoted status should be considered.

I do wonder how many times this has happened on a nice, cool day without any tragic consequences.

When it is freezing the weatherwoman encourages me to bring pets and plants in. When it is windy the weatherwoman gives me a red flag warning. When it is hot, the weatherwoman encourages me to look after the edlerly. Maybe more focus should go to the welfare of children.

I remember when it was 10 pm, a TV announcement stated, "It's ten o'clock, do you know where your kids are?" Maybe the TVs and radio stations should do the same announcement at 10 am.

[Becca65]

I don't remember ever forgetting my child in the back seat, DH either.. Guess thats our main priority.. When she was quiet i would look back and see what she up to, always aware she was there.. And DH and I both work, our kids are more important then any profession..

[Maura]

This is why you undo the air bag on the passenger side and put the baby next to you.

[Christine in OK]

Unless you have an older vehicle like mine where you can't turn the airbags off.

[lorian]

I've had terrible dreams like this!

[Ardie/WI]

Originally Posted by Christine in OK

I've seen so many of these threads before, even know of one that happened in Oklahoma City not too long ago.

They always end up in a fight. Some siding with the "protect the child at all costs" group, some fighting for the "right of the parents, terrible mistake, punishment enough" batch.

Myself, I just stay with "there but for the Grace of God go I". I forget stuff all the time, it seems like I run on overload 95% of the time these days. Thank the Lord I've never had to experience such a tragedy.

I agree.

Perhaps we should all say a prayer or send positive thoughts for that father.