General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: PARENTS are responsible for the safety of their children. [View all]Coventina
(27,121 posts)I lost my only child, and I know others who have been through the same and it never goes away.
But I have to say that according to the details of your story, that grandmother was 100% responsible. It doesn't mean she didn't love the kids any less, but she was the responsible party, charged with their safety.
Yes, kids have a knack for getting into trouble (some more than others). That's why adults don't have the luxury of getting distracted.
My best friend from high school's mother actually filled in her backyard pool when my friend had her first child. She wanted to be a babysitting grandma, and didn't want to even take that chance. Not even with a fence.
Different people have different standards for what is reasonable precaution.
This story of the woman at the zoo violates all of mine.
4 preschoolers and one adult? Holding a baby in one's arms the whole time? (Thus severely handicapped in controlling the other three). Arguing with the tot about whether he was going to go play with the gorillas?
It all sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, especially coming from someone who is supposedly a childcare professional.