Irresponsible Parents
By kat_princess
@kat_princess (1470)
Philippines
March 2, 2012 10:36pm CST
I just want to vent out.I pity my godson because it seems that his mother who got pregnant with him at age 17 doesn't care about him.When I asked their other relatives about how heavy the child is they'd answer that they don't know.I asked them if he's getting regular check ups & if he's taking his vitamins regularly and they answered that they don't give him check ups & he doesn't take vitamins as he appears to be healthy but I told them that he should get check ups for them to monitor if he's growing up well & to be 100% sure that he's healthy.If they're worried about money,aren't there health centers in our area that does check ups & vaccinations for free?It really makes me wanna go grrr!
Ok.I know I'm not in the position to intervene but if I could,I'd get the child because he's not being taken care of well.The environment he lives in is not also healthy as most people in their house smoke (wow!They're not even thinking that a baby is living with them)and he eats foods with no nutritional value and they don't even think about doing something educational with him like reading to him or singing to him.Maybe people would justify her being pregnant at a young age that's why she's like that to her son but I know a number of teenage mothers like her who quit school & find a job just to raise money for their child & they make sure they take care of the child well.Even the mother's guardians don't seem to care that they think providing him with food,clothing,& shelter is enough.I don't know if I can report it the the Department of Social Welfare & Development but I know I'm definitely not in the position to intervene.In your country,can cases like these be reported to social workers & can the offenders be penalized?Share your views.Thanks!Geez!What a rant!
2 people like this
7 responses
@Lisona (177)
•
3 Mar 12
My daughter is 17 and pregnant, (first grandchild to me) she has had a good up bringing and quite a mature head on her shoulders, she has support from me and her other side of the family, I think its how you have been raised yourself and how a good parent, never the less its hard work to bring up a child and I wish teenagers who fall pregnant realise its not just a fashion accessorie or a game. I live in the UK, and under any curricumstances you think a child is in bad negelect or danger, of course report to health visitor or other health care authority. But has to be solid foundation to report.
@kat_princess (1470)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
I wish teenagers who fall pregnant realise its not just a fashion accessorie or a game.-Agree with that.Whenever I see the child with her or with the older folks,I feel like they're treating him as a toy because they just let anyone borrow the child & like what I've said earlier,he's not growing up in a healthy environment & they don't even bother to do educational things with him like reading to him or singing to him taking him out to child friendly places .I'd like to have it reported to the DSWD but I don't know how to make a strong proof.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
3 Mar 12
I hate it when I see children who aren't being looked after properly, particularly when it's my friend's children, because it's hard to know whether you should be making a comment about it or not. I have a friend who has decided that she wants to do a full time college course, so her baby is in nursery from 8 in the morning until 5 at night. After this, my friend will take him to her Mum's while she goes home to do her college work, and will then collect him at 8pm and take him home to bed. She is not spending any quality time with her child, and I find that a real shame.
@kat_princess (1470)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
I feel like she's not being a good mom to her son.I see many moms out there who are in a hurry to go home just to hold their children or to see their smile.I don't know if I'm being very mean with this comment but if she doesn't know how to take care of her child properly,why did she make a commitment to be a parent?High five for your comment friend! :)
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
3 Mar 12
if this is actually happening, i pity the child. he does not have to suffer under any circumstances because he is innocent from any faults of this world. he has to be taken care of and received health care. but mothers know best, as the saying goes. however, there are mothers like you cited here who could not take care of their babies. this is where the intervention of the state should come in. i think a social worker must come in to check the child.
@kat_princess (1470)
• Philippines
6 Mar 12
I'd like to report this case to the DSWD but what if they don't see anything wrong or the older folks lie about the well being of the child?I really pity the child.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
4 Mar 12
I do not think being a teenage mom is an excuse for being a bad parent! Especially since there are older people in the house. Now a days everyone knows smoking in a house is unhealthy. I am a smoker but I do not smoke in the house with my children, I don't want them suffering because of my stupid habit!
Here we can call Social Services for these things and no one has to know who called or anything. They keep it confidential. I have a problem with people calling if they are not absolutely sure there is a problem. If you are sure just know if you call and they take the child, he could go somewhere worse and you will most likely never see him again. I'm not telling you not to call I am simply telling you what could happen in case you don't know. I am also speaking for here, I do not know what they do there...
Here, you would have no rights to the child unfortunately. I have often wanted to take a child from a bad situation but it doesn't work that way. =(
Its a lot to think about. I would just be very sure if I were you. Also here if they go to the house and they find nothing wrong you will not get in trouble because they do not know who you are (again thats how it is here). I hope that little boy starts getting treated better! I hope he gets check ups and I hope they love him more soon!
@kat_princess (1470)
• Philippines
3 Mar 12
It's very long to explain it again.What country are you from?I figured out that most people understood it the first time they've read it.
@dazzledlady (1618)
• Philippines
3 Mar 12
Hi ! There are many factors that leads to this situation. One thing is that the mother is only a teenager, it needs guidance. So its up to the older member of the household. You mentioned that if they dont have money they can always go to health centers for free check ups and vaccine but sometimes depending on the place you live in. A lot of people is ignorant/ or misinformed about the government's program to those in need. Or maybe they dont have much time because they are busy looking for ways to earn money. So, i think as a Godmother to the child you are now partly responsible for the welfare of the child. If you see there is a problem, be the advocate. Inform them of your concerns and the ways to address them. I dont personally know if DSWD can help them. God bless!
@kat_princess (1470)
• Philippines
3 Mar 12
As I mentioned earlier,it seems like the older members of the household don't care as they smoke even if they know that there are children in the house & even do it in front of them where they can inhale the smoke,tolerate feeding the child foods with little or no nutritional value,& they don't even bother to do educational stuff with the child.Our area is very accessible to a lot of health centers.I don't see why they can't even have time to have him checked up.Oh,the people in their household are either unemployed or still studying but lucky to have money to grab when it's needed through the support of other relatives.It's sad that he's going through that.Are you also from the Philippines?
@Tamosree1993 (1525)
• India
3 Mar 12
I don't think so. I think every parents are loved their child so much.
But sometimes they are hate their child very much about many causes.
