Madeline Mccann

[Barsel]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but I really thought this would have ended by now. Your thoughts please?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41197076

[Barsel]

Alba, I've never read that. I only read that they didn't use the babysitting service.

[albaqwerty]

if my parents were still alive, I wonder if I could sue them for a few times I was left unattended, sitting in a parked car whilst they were away having a shandy or 2?

Cannot wrap up weans in cotton wool, and if all3 kids were left neglected, then the culprit should have taken the boys as well.

[ummmm]

Albs...they didn't use the babysitting service.

I don't think they are neglectful parents I just think they got into holiday mode and became complacent.

[Baldric]

Alba, please provide proof that the hotel was neglectful

[andy-hughes]

The circumstances leading up to the disappearance of this child have been debated many many times, so I am not going to re-visit them again.

I do remain curious as to why this loss, as opposed to all the others, has, and continues to attract such massive amounts of police time and resources.

I cannot ever say that this is a waste of money - although obviously in an ideal world, every missing child would be sought with such resources and time, but that is not practical.

I am sure like everyone else, I hope for a positive outcome.

[jackthehat]

Threads like this simply degenerate into bad-tempered exchanges of 'facts' and 'counter-facts'.

Hindsight is, and always will be, 20/20; and there but for the grace of God go a fair percentage of us parents.

[albaqwerty]

I am not a perfect parent, in anyway shape or form, but I'd be horrified if anything happened to any of mine.

Just as an aside, and completely side-tracking, for which, my sincere apologies, no, I'll start my own so not to derail this one. sorry xx

[Zacs-Master]

Well said JTH.

[vulcan42]

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) says:

children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time
children under 16 shouldn’t be left alone overnight
babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone

I cannot argue with that.

[andy-hughes]

alba - // Cannot wrap up weans in cotton wool, and if all3 kids were left neglected, then the culprit should have taken the boys as well. //

In all the many debates on here, that's the first time I have read of the abductor being castigated for not being good enough at the task to remove the other children.

I am sure the police will have a word when they catch up with him / her / them.

[Barsel]

Alba
//if my parents were still alive, I wonder if I could sue them for a few times I was left unattended, //
They did this every night they were on holiday and in a foreign country. The children weren't nearby in a parked car.

[anotheoldgit]

'PROBABLY' been discussed before??

[Barsel]

Alba, you have no need to apologise, I asked for your thoughts and we are all entitled to our opinions.

[Sqad]

Yes.......you can leave a 3 year old (many do...we didn't) and 99.9% of the time you will get away with it. BUT if your child is the 0.1% then you take the risk of being called negligent parents.

[Barsel]

I know aog, I just thought we would have heard the end of this by now, but apparently not.

[jackthehat]

Barsel - Is it having a significant impact on your life?

[Barsel]

I don't know why I bother.Bye.

[Sqad]

Barsel! Barsel!...come back, that is just our JTH and she is being pleasant.

[Berniecuddles2]

and the Ed said earlier this is a happy friendly site....yer right!!!!

[Sqad]

Bernie....LOL.